Welcome New Board Members for 2025

Annie Moyer is a Director in Fifth Third Bank’s Private Banking division and has been with Fifth Third for over 15 years.  In 2024 and 2020, Annie received President’s Circle Winner recognition as a top private banker at Fifth Third. She was designated as Best of the Best for Pride Magazine in 2021 and selected for the 2022 class of The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Emerging Business Leaders (EBL). Annie is an active member of the community and has experience as a nonprofit board member.  She knows Crisis Assistance Ministry and our mission as both a volunteer and financial supporter.  She is an alumnus of Howard University with a B.A. in Marketing.

Brian Boone is a long-term donor and volunteer of Crisis Assistance Ministry. He is a dedicated community leader and philanthropist committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in Charlotte. As Founder and Owner of DAR Partners, a consulting firm specializing in capital and endowment campaigns, annual funds, communications, and event planning, Brian brings extensive experience in non-profit fundraising, having worked with numerous private K-12 schools across the country. Following his wife’s passing, Brian established the Kathy Boozer Boone (KBB) Foundation to honor her memory and continue her legacy of community service. The foundation carefully selects 3-5 organizations annually and supports their work in helping underserved communities overcome barriers and achieve their full potential—a cause Kathy championed throughout her life. Brian’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity extends beyond the foundation’s work. He established the Kathy Boozer Boone Business Administration Endowment at Washington and Lee University, her alma mater (Class of 1995), furthering their shared vision of fostering education and community connection. A graduate of Rollins College with an MBA from McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley University, Brian is a proud father of two daughters. They are active members of Christ Church Charlotte.

Elizabeth “Liz” Escobar-Fernandes is a Senior Software Engineer / IT Architect at Duke Energy. We met Liz 4 years ago when she was taking a 9-week course led by Harvard MBA graduates. Liz is a 2014 graduate of UNC Charlotte Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Computer Enginering where she won many awards and achieved a 4.0 GPA. A native of Columbia she began her college studies overseas. She arrived in the US speaking very little English and had trouble getting a job.  She waitressed at a hotel where she taught herself English with the help of co-workers. In 2018 she founded Hay Trabajo (“there is work”), a staffing and recruiting firm via mobile app. Feeling driven to create job connections for others, Charlotte-area businesses post job descriptions, which are translated into Spanish.  Hispanic jobseekers can apply or create a profile for future opportunities. Liz has a proven track record of innovation. She has expertise in emerging technologies, digital transformation and is proficient in strategic planning, budget management, and cross-functional collaboration.  Additionally, she has been involved in the local United Way.

Janette Kinard is the Founder and CEO of non-profit Champion House of Care and Project One.  For the past 20 years, Janette has educated & supported individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities including autism and behavioral health needs.  Champion House of Care is a day support program that provides care for individuals aged 13 and older.  She provides care and assistance for this population as they transition out of the education system and into their adult lives. CHOC Project One provides the homeless community with nutrition, supplies, and education to assist families with the effects of homelessness. They provide opportunities for this population to gain vocational skills, peer interaction, and community involvement.  They also provide resources for essential daily needs, food, clothing, education and job training. 

Raj Merchant serves as Director, Data and Analytics, for Perficient, Inc. He has over 20 years of experience leading implementations of large digital transformations, developing teams in business analytics, software development, and project management.  He has extensive experience in delivering intelligent automation solutions including enterprise content management, workflow automation, records management, and intelligent document capture.  He previously served as Director, Technology Transformation with Grant Thornton, LLP. Raj has a BS in Economics from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, and an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School.  He currently serves on the boards of Feeding Charlotte and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Prior board service includes Families Forward Charlotte and Helping Education. He is a cohort of Leadership Charlotte Class 44 and an award winner in Charlotte Ledger’s “40 0ver 40”.  He is a Partner in Social Venture Partners Charlotte and a Mentor with RevTech Labs startup accelerator. He and his wife, Leigh Ann (a former member of Crisis Assistance’s Board of Directors), have one son, Thomas.

Dr. Janice Walker is a Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer – Southeast Region of Advocate Health.  She is responsible for providing strategic leadership for all nursing and other designated patient care functions and services for Atrium Health, which comprises the entirety of Advocate Health’s Southeast Region. Janice joined Advocate Health in 2024. Her previous experience includes System Chief Nursing & Chief Operating roles in Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Janice holds a doctorate degree in Health Care Administration and is a Johnson & Johnson Wharton Felloe.  She holds an MBA – Healthcare Management.  She was recently named in the Top 25 CNOs (Chief Nursing Officers) to Know – Beckers Hospital Review.