Dianna Beaty is a Grants Administrator for The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Grants Administrator, Dianna is responsible for managing the grantee portal, tracking grants made by the organization, and obtaining and maintaining reports required from grantees. She also ensures accurate and efficient collection and reporting of grants data. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2020, Dianna worked as a Program Director for The Parkinson Association where she helped plan and host educational symposiums for the community. A native of Claremont, NC, Dianna graduated from The University of North Carolina – Charlotte. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew, biking, and visiting dog parks with her dog, Calli.
Sara Fedyna is the Grants Manager with The Leon Levine Foundation. As Grants Manager, Sara helps craft and implement policies and procedures for the grant evaluation and workflow process. Additionally, she provides management and direction to ensure accurate and efficient collection and reporting of grants data. Sara also supports all mission areas and is responsible for evaluating grant proposals. Before joining the Foundation in 2016, she worked as a special education teacher and in higher education at her alma mater, Queens University of Charlotte. While there she led the university’s scholarship programming and local student recruitment. A Charlotte native, she and her husband, Rost, enjoy exploring greenway trails with their dog Nina.
Janice Gearheart is the Director of Accounting for the Levine Family Office. As the Director of Accounting, Janice maintains financial record systems and provides auditing services, financial statements and tax preparation services to the family office’s and Foundation’s management team. Janice joined the Family Office in 2019, after working as a consultant with CliftonLarsonAllen’s Cast division. She was also formerly a Senior Manager in the general services group of McGladrey and Pullen. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Janice earned a degree from Radford University. She has two adult daughters. Janice enjoys spending time outdoors in her flower gardens and spending time and a glass of iced tea with friends and family on the front porch.
Darrow Goff is an Associate Portfolio Manager with the Levine Family Office. As Associate Portfolio Manager, Darrow performs daily portfolio management and reporting, conducts initial diligence of external public and private investment managers, and works with the Investment Committee to implement portfolio investment strategies. Prior to joining the Family Office in 2018, Darrow worked with Bank of America as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Chief Finance Officer Group. Originally from Boone, NC, he is a proud graduate of Appalachian State University. In his free time, Darrow enjoys playing basketball and volleyball, backpacking, and spending time with his greyhound, Boss.
Lizet Hernandez is a Program Associate with The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Program Associate, Lizet supports Senior Program Officers in evaluating grant proposals, conducting background research, and preparing proposals for review. Lizet joined the Foundation in 2022, after working as Case Investigator for Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative (CCTC). Originally from Durham, North Carolina, she earned a degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She enjoys playing volleyball, searching for the next hip food joint, and traveling with her friends.
Marcia Johnston is an Administrative Assistant for the Levine Family Office and the Foundation. She is a native of Westchester County in NY, graduated from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY & Edmonds College in Lynnwood, WA. She loves animals and enjoys traveling, museums, ethnic cuisines, and historical sites.
Lauren Joseph is a Senior Program Associate with The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Senior Program Associate, Lauren supports Senior Program Officers in evaluating grant proposals, conducting background research, and preparing proposals for review. Lauren also is responsible for evaluating a portfolio of grant proposals. Lauren joined the Foundation in 2020, after working as an Account Recruiting Manager for a local staffing firm. Originally from Washington, Illinois, she earned a degree from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and is currently pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband, Lucas, enjoy biking the greenway and hiking with their dog, Koda.
Tom Lawrence is the President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors with The Leon Levine Foundation as well as Chief Financial Officer of the Levine family office. Tom joined the family office in 2002 to oversee the personal finances, tax compliance and investment portfolio management for the family and its Foundation. As President, Tom is responsible for directing the overall staff, program, and administrative activities of the Foundation. He works closely with the board to develop the Foundation’s vision and strategies. He previously worked in the Family Wealth Planning division of Arthur Andersen in Charlotte and with the general services group of McGladrey & Pullen in Richmond, Virginia. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Tom is a graduate of the University of Richmond. He and his wife, Gina, have two children.
Deborah Majewski is a Senior Program Officer at The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Senior Program Officer, Deborah oversees the grantmaking program, vision, strategy, and team for the Human Services mission area. Deborah joined the foundation in 2018 after working primarily in financial services, most recently at Bank of America. She is a native of Buffalo, New York, and is a graduate of The University of Rochester and SUNY Geneseo. She and her husband, Dan, enjoy spending their free time in the North Carolina mountains.
Sudain Nicholson is a Senior Accountant for the Levine Family Office. As a Senior Accountant, Sudain maintains financial record systems and provides auditing services and financial statements to the family office’s and Foundation’s management team. Prior to joining the Levine Family Office in 2022, Sudain worked for another family investment office in Lake Wylie, SC. Originally from Jamaica - but lived most of her life in Rock Hill, SC, she earned her degree from Winthrop University. She enjoys spending quality time with her family & friends, outdoor activities, and the warmer weather.
Mike Richardson is a Senior Program Officer and member of the Board of Directors with The Leon Levine Foundation. He has worked with the Levine family since 2004 and joined the Foundation in 2009. As a Senior Program Officer, Mike oversees the grantmaking program, vision, strategy, and team for the Healthcare mission area. In addition to his work with the Foundation, Dr. Richardson is also the Associate Medical Director for Genetics at the Levine Cancer Institute. Previously, he served as a primary care physician for 25 years. Born in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Mike is a Morehead Scholar and graduate of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He and his wife, Kelli, have two adult children. In his free time, Mike kayaks in the mountains of NC. If he’s not with his paddle, he’s spending time with the Levine Scholars and alumni.
Gillian Small is a Program Officer at The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Program Officer, Gillian is responsible for evaluating grant proposals, program research and identifying new grant opportunities in the Education mission area. She joined in the Foundation in 2022 after working as an 8th grade teacher and nonprofit leader in the Charlotte community. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and her Master of Education from American University. She and her partner, Avery, enjoy hiking with their dog, baking and traveling.
Justin Steinschriber is the Senior Vice President with The Leon Levine Foundation as well as the Director of Operations for the Levine Family Office. As Senior Vice President, Justin supports the President and CEO to implement the Foundation's vision and strategies. He is responsible for the integration of the grantmaking, investment, operations, human resources, technology and communications teams. Justin also oversees the grantmaking program, vision, strategy, and team for the Jewish Values mission area. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, Justin worked at Wells Fargo Private Bank and Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, advising high net worth families on comprehensive legal, tax and wealth management matters. Originally from Northridge, California, Justin is a graduate of Tulane University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He and his wife, Kirsten, have two children. He enjoys coaching his kids’ sports teams, cooking new recipes and traveling.
Michael Tarwater is the Chairman of the Board of Directors with The Leon Levine Foundation and a Senior Advisor to the Levine family office. Michael works closely with the President and the board on crafting and implementing Foundation vision and strategies. Before joining the Foundation in 2019, Michael enjoyed a 35-year career with Carolinas HealthCare System (Atrium Health). While there he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately retiring as the system’s President and CEO in June of 2016. A native of Pensacola, Florida, Michael is a member of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a graduate of the University of West Florida and the University of Alabama – Birmingham. He and his wife, Ann, have three adult children and seven grandchildren. They enjoy travel, the arts, and their grandchildren.
Jacob Wiltshire is a Program Officer at The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Program Officer, Jacob is responsible for evaluating grant proposals, program research, and identifying new grant opportunities. He works primarily in the Healthcare mission area. Jacob joined the Foundation in 2022, after 13 years working in fundraising for non-profits and universities and four years working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in healthcare. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He and his partner, Amy, enjoy hiking, live music, and traveling.
Cindy Woller is a Senior Accountant for the Levine Family Office. As a Senior Accountant, Cindy maintains financial record systems and provides auditing services, financial statements and payroll services to the family office’s and Foundation’s management team. In 2005, she joined the Levine Family Office, and the Foundation full time. Previously, Cindy served as the Corporate Cash Manager for Family Dollar Stores while also working part time for the Levine family and their Foundation. She is a native of Charlotte and graduated from Wingate University. Cindy and her husband, Scott, have two adult sons and one granddaughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading and gardening.
Andrew Yavorski is a Program Officer at The Leon Levine Foundation. As a Program Officer, Andrew is responsible for evaluating grant proposals, program research and identifying new grant opportunities. He works primarily in the Human Services mission area. A Charlotte native, Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington. He is an avid sports fan, particularly of his alma mater and hometown Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets.