Executive Leadership Team
Dr. Linda P. McRae
PsyD., MDiv., MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, CSOTS, CCS, SAP
President/CEO
Dr. Linda completed a Masters of Divinity from Wake Forest University Divinity School in 2003. She completed a Masters of Social Work at North Carolina A&T State University and UNC-Greensboro in 2007.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, Master’s Addiction Counselor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor. She completed a Doctor of Psychology degree at Graduate Theological Foundation in 2016. Dr. Linda serves as the CEO of HOPE Counseling & Consulting Services, Inc. (HOPE), a clinical practice that provides programs and services that seek to promote hope and healing providing outpatient substance use disorder treatment, mental health and behavioral health services.
Dr. Linda has worked in the field of Human Services for more than 20 years providing clinical services to adults, adolescents and families facing psychological, behavioral and substance abuse problems. Dr. Linda provides individualized clinical interventions using multi-modal approaches: cognitive behavioral therapy, brief therapy, psycho-education, stages of change, and motivational enhancement techniques as well as several core orientations in her work including family systems and person-centered theory. Her special interests include family and relationships, church and social justice, domestic violence, grief, and bereavement.
Dr. Linda works with clients to change their unproductive patterns of interpreting, understanding, and thinking about themselves and their environment, guiding them to reshape the way they think and act. Dr. Linda seeks to produce cognitive and behavioral reorientation in clients who are at risk of varied social and psychological ills. Dr. Linda’s favorite saying is, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Dr. Linda is a provider of HOPE and believes that everyone given the proper care can grow, thrive, and live their very best life.
Ronald L. McRae
BS, MDiv.
Chief Operations Officer
Ronald L. McRae completed undergraduate studies at Winston-Salem State University. He has both Sociology and Political Science degrees. He completed a Masters of Divinity degree from Shaw University May 2010. Mr. McRae is a firm believer in education and service.
Mr. McRae is the founder of Boys2Men Mentorship Program where he shapes the lives of young men in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County area. Mr. McRae is also the founder of Real Fathers/Real Men helping to build and give focus to the importance of fatherhood. The McRae’s are the founders and Executive Directors of More Than Conquerors, Inc. morethanconquerorsinc.com, a non-profit organization that seeks to inspire, educate and transform lives.
Mr. McRae has worked in the field of Human Services for more than 22 years. He pours into the lives of so many and believes that anybody can change and become a productive member of our society. He joined HOPE in 2018 as the Chief Operations Officer helping his wife, Dr. Linda McRae, cast vision and programming for this growing organization. Mr. McRae is also the Senior Pastor of Salem Christian Church where he has served for more than 20 years. He loves God and loves people. His primary passion is “changing the minds of the next generation.”
Levonia Gravely
Executive Assistant
After a 33 year career with Duke Energy as a Work Management Specialist, Levonia Gravely joined the Staff of HOPE Counseling & Consulting Services as an Executive Assistant in November 2014.
Levonia brings experience in having worked in a fast paced environment requiring a high level of confidentially serving customers, maintaining documents, files and the ability to make decisions quickly. She is flexible and prioritizes in order to support the office staff along with the ability to converse effectively with clients and various vendors.
Levonia lives in Winston Salem along with a son and three grandchildren.
Clinical Providers
Dr. Kendra Davis
DMin, MRC, M.Div., MAC, LCAS, CSOTS, CCJP, CCS, IAADC
Kendra Davis, trainer, professional development coach and empowerment specialist, is a 1999 & 2009 graduate of Winston-Salem State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology (1999) & a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (2009).She is also a 2016 graduate of Apex School of Theology where she earned a Masters of Divinity. Dr. Kendra obtained her Doctor of Ministry degree in Biblical Studies May 2017 from Apex School of Theology.
Dr. Burch is an Internationally Certified, Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor, licensed by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB), the NC Problem Gamblers Program and the National Association of Forensic Counselors.
Her current license and certifications include: Master Addictions Counselor (MAC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional (CCJP), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist (CSOTS)
Felecia York Brown
MSW, LCSWA
Felecia Brown earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from North Carolina State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate in the state of North Carolina. Felecia has experience in many areas of counseling such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, substance use, mood disorders, and anxiety. Felecia provides counseling for couples, singles, and partners regarding relationship issues. Felecia has experience working with divorce related issues and children experiencing divorce related issues. Felecia has experience providing spiritual counseling. Felecia has worked extensively with LGBTQ especially with the transgender population diagnosed with HIV.
Felecia enjoys counseling because of the impact it can make in others. Ideally moving people forward to a more wholesome self, this involves establishing coping skills, forming safe attachments within the therapeutic relationship discovering who they are through various reflection techniques while in concert with self-awareness interventions and understanding solutions to problems. Felecia is a member of National Associations of Social Workers. Felecia is Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy informed. Felecia sincerely believes that life’s challenges and hardships can be turned into areas of hope, meaning and purpose.
LaToya Davis Lucas
Nurse Practitioner
LaToya Davis Lucas is the CEO and founder of Lucas Exceptional Healthcare and Consultation. As an adult nurse practitioner, she specialized in providing care to adolescents and adults across the lifespan. She focuses on maintaining health and wellness in acute and chronic conditions. She can assess, diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases. In addition, she has a significant focus on health promotion, self-care and providing health education to individuals, families, groups and communities. LaToya prides herself in providing empathetic care to meet the physical, mental and spiritual needs of the clients that she provides care for. LaToya understands that collaboration and the interdisciplinary team model is important in providing holistic care.
LaToya Davis Lucas has been in healthcare for over 26 years. In addition, LaToya has been a board-certified adult nurse practitioner for more than 11 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina A&T State University, A Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Post Masters in Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
LaToya is the wife to Harry Lucas Jr. The mother of two children and two bonus children. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Kristen Gudipalli
MSW, LCSW-A
Kristen holds a Masters in Social Work from Marywood University and a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Cairn University. Kristen has experience working in both the inpatient and outpatient settings as well as with a variety of fields.
She has experience in substance use disorders, mood disorders, trauma, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, and suicidal and homicidal ideation amongst others. She also has experience working with children, teens, adults, families, and running groups. Kristen focuses on using a strength-based perspective in her work and through that implements many other modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Therapy, and more. Kristen is very excited to work at HOPE and provide services that will empower people towards hope and healing.
Shawn Perkins
MSW, LCSWA
Shawn graduated with his MSW from Winthrop University and his BSW from Winston-Salem State University. Shawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate in North Carolina. Shawn has used a traumatic event in his personal life as his platform to motivate, empower, and encourage individuals to find self-fulfillment and self-worth.
Shawn has 5+ years of working in the Human Service field. Shawn has experience working with youth and adults with mental health and behavior issues, ADHD, OCD, depression, anxiety, trauma, anger management, stress, and grief. Shawn specializes in working with young men and young fathers.
Administrative/Support Personnel
Shonise McRae
Administrative Assistant
Shonise L. McRae is passionate about helping others in the community. Shonise received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Social Work from Winston-Salem State University where she learned life is all about serving. When she is not fulfilling task for HOPE you can find her pursuing her own entrepreneurial dreams with Savory Sweets by Shonise where “You Dream It, I can bake it!” Shonise is committed to a life of service and advocacy sharing laughter and smiles along the way.
Tasia Wilson
Healthcare Administrator
Tasia Wilson is a dual graduate of Winston-Salem State University withan undergraduate degree in Social Work and a graduate in HealthcareAdministration. She is an experienced executive assistant with over 10years in the field. Tasia is able to tailor her skills to meet the needsof various clients. Tasia is a case manager supervisor working in the field of affordable housing. In her management role, she has identified gaps in services and advocated for the residents she served. In addition to her professional duties, Tasia is also active in many organizations in her community.
Montayae Pearson
Administrative Assistant
Monty Pearson is a native of Clinton Maryland. Monty has over 15 years combined experience in the non-profit sector as well as re-entry services for ex-offenders. Monty has served as Family Services Coordinator for the Darryl Hunt Project for Freedom & Justice, Board Vice-Chair for Black GirlsUnited, a board member of The Winston Salem TARHEELS and is a member of the Winston-Salem Urban League Young Professionals.
Amy Smith
Professional Coding Editor II
Amy Smith began coding for provider based charges in 2007 when certified as a professional coder. She is currently working on certificattions of CRC (certified risk adjustment coder) and CPMA (certified professional medical auditor). During that time, she received HIPAA certification.
Previously, Amy worked 17 in the Wake Forest Baptist Health Cash Control department and insurance department reconciling insurance payments, applying denials which included copays and deductibles along with applying insurance monies from all insurances.
She worked closely with several insurance companies optimizing payments and reconciling denials quickly. She then began coding full-time in 2015.
Her focus has been primary care with training in behavioral health and inpatient charges and knowledge in other coding departments. She strives to educate providers with current updates to diagnosis and coding guidelines.
Davina Ismail
Administrative/Support Staff
Davina Ismail completed her undergraduate education at the University of Connecticut graduating in 2003 with a BA in Psychology, a BA in Human Factors Design & Technology (Industrial Organizational Psychology) and a Criminal Justice Minor. She went on to complete a Graduate Certificate in Information Protection and Security from the University of New Haven and then went on to Seton Hall University graduating with a MA in Human Resource Management (Legal Career Focus).
Post-graduation, she went on to work in the legal field for over 11 years working in positions ranging from a Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Legal Secretary/Paralegal and then on to being a Supervising Legal Secretary at a Fortune 500 company.
For the last 10 years, Davina, alongside her Marine Corps veteran husband Gulaid Ismail, have been self-employed. They started their first joint venture, DribbleBabies children’s clothing in 2013. They then began investing in both commercial and residential properties in 2014. Their most recent business venture is INI Sips Premium Coffee and Tea founded in 2019. INI Sips has
been nationally successful and can be found in over 18 grocery stores and shops across the United States.
Don Parham
Peer Support
Don grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and came to Winston-Salem in 1984. After graduating high school, Don enlisted in the Air Force (during the Viet Namwar). After a short stint in the Air Force, Don went to a trade school to learn drafting.
Later, Don began a career in construction that he still dabbles in, doing small jobs building cabinets among other projects. In 2010 he decided in favor of another career change, applied to Forsyth Technical Institute, and returned to school. In his first semester, he made the Dean’s List. Encouraged by this, Don chose to pursue Human Services, particularly in substance abuse treatment. He was required to intern somewhere for his last two semesters and was accepted at HOPE Counseling & Consulting Services, Inc., in the fall of 2015.
Don graduated with Honors in 2016 and 2017 with Associate degrees in Applied Sciences and in Art. At the end of his internship, because he believed he had found his passion, he asked Dr. McRae if he could stay on as a volunteer. “Absolutely!”, she responded. Don offers education, empowerment, and hope at HOPE Counseling. Don is a Certified Peer Support Specialist. In his spare time, Don enjoys playing guitar in the contemporary band at his church and he also enjoys pen and ink drawing, watercolor and oil painting, photography, and fishing.