Our Staff

Executive Director

Drew Woten

Drew Woten is a native Floridian who is thrilled to claim Durham as his home. Formed deeply by his experiences in the local church, collegiate ministry, and intentional living communities, Drew is passionate about promoting social equity through holistic community programs. He received his Master of Social Work degree from UNC Chapel Hill and his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time in creation, listening to podcasts, spending time with his wife, Katie, and their children, and relaxing with friends and family.

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Assistant Director

Sean Hardy

Sean Hardy joins Open Table as Assistant Director. Sean grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, and now lives in Mebane with his wife, daughter, and their two dogs. Sean is passionate about cultivating meaningful community and learning neighbors’ stories. Sean is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, where he discovered his passion for ministry, community, and social service. In his spare time, Sean enjoys time in nature, Carolina Hurricanes hockey games, and golfing.

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Case Manager

Namya Stamps

Namya Stamps comes all the way from Fayetteville, North Carolina and is very grateful to join the team as a Case Manager! She is super passionate about all things involved with advocacy work because in the future she hopes to change the world for the better. She graduated from University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a bachelor’s in political science in 2021 and hopes to use that degree to help those around her gain access to basic human rights. As a talker, she believes that her talents are better suited amplifying the voices of those around her to help improve the quality of life. In her free time, you can usually find Namya cuddled up with her dog in a nice comfy chair, crocheting a blanket, with an audio book playing in the background (in that order).

Social Media / Communications

Nicole McDonald

Nicole has moved into the role of Social Media & Communications for Open Table Ministry. She has shifted a couple of times in her roles with Open Table and is now supporting the mission remotely. She has lived all over the world and experienced many different cultures and environments. Nicole feels the most connected to her purpose when she is helping others. She loves all things outdoors, and enjoys pursuing whole body wellness! She believes that life is about always growing and expanding and engaging the world with a posture of learning. Next steps for her include working toward a therapeutic retreat space, so that she can better serve the community.

Social Work Intern

Caroline Vincent

Caroline is joining Open Table Ministry for the 2025-2026 school year through UNC's Masters of SocialWork program. Caroline grew up in Fuquay Varina, NC and is eager to serve and engage with the neighboring Durham community. She is passionate about adult mental health assessment and intervention. This passion began during her undergraduate studies in psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. In her free time, Caroline enjoys walking in nature, cooking, and cycling.

Social Work Intern

Emma Whittenburg

Emma is joining Open Table Ministry for the 2025-2026 school year through UNC's Masters of SocialWork program. Emma's family currently lives in Missouri, but she is eager to serve and engage with the Durham community. In her free time, Emma enjoys being out in nature, watching movies with friends, and baking.

Social Work Intern

Sophia Burke

Sophia, an MSW intern from UNC-Chapel Hill joins us this year from upstate New York. Sophia’s interest in social work stems from her experience being a person in recovery from mental illness and substance use. She aspires to spread the strength and hope she received when she was at her lowest. Sophia received a bachelors degree in health sciences from the University of Vermont, where she also played on the women’s lacrosse team. Most recently, she worked in Native American youth suicide prevention and mobile crisis interventions in Flagstaff, Arizona. On her off days, Sophia hangs out with her dog, Paul, cooks Italian food, and watches horror movies.

Our Board

Board Officers

Jennifer Mario, Board Chair

Jennifer Mario has served as our Board Chair since October of 2016. A graduate of Duke University, she has a background in writing, editing, and publishing and is the author of two books. Jennifer became involved with OTM after being invited to a Monday lunch by an OTM client whom she had befriended. She is a member of Triangle Grace Church in Durham and enjoys spending time with her husband, three grown children, and new grandbaby.

Rosa Anderson, Vice Chair

Rosa S. Anderson joined our board in 2021 after many years as a volunteer - you have probably seen her smiling face at one of our Monday lunches. She is the Director of Student Service Programs at North Carolina Central University and holds two master’s degrees. Rosa’s passion for serving the community shines through her extensive board experience with local nonprofit organizations. She is a member of Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church.

Suzanne Cross, Treasurer

Suzanne Cross has served as Treasurer of Open Table Ministry since joining the board in 2011. Suzanne has an MBA from Kellogg (Northwestern University) in Marketing and Management Strategy. Suzanne became active in Open Table Ministry after one of Open Table's folks met up with her husband, a mechanic, to help with work on his broken van he was living in.

Linda Smith, Secretary

Linda Smith joined the board in 2024 after serving in the OTM Free Store for the past several years. She enjoys the depth of community spirit and kindness found so abundantly among the staff, volunteers and clients of OTM. Bringing people together for support, mutual understanding and appreciation of the multiple perspectives and challenges in life is a value that she cherishes.

Linda has a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She retired from Duke Integrative Medicine several years ago and now spends her free time volunteering, riding her bike, playing pickleball with friends, having time with family, and enjoying the every day gift of life to its fullest.

Members at Large

Mactrice Henderson

Mactrice Henderson joined the Open Table Ministry Board of Directors in 2024. He has a passion for working with individuals in need and is inspired by their resilience and strength to overcome some of life’s biggest obstacles. His passion for serving has spanned throughout her career in leadership roles, creating, developing, and executing a vision by collaborating with team members and community partners. He is excited to get more connected to the amazing people doing the work in Durham. When not at work, he likes to spend time with his family, friends, read, and explore nature.

Vera Stewart

Vera Stewart joined OTM’s board in 2019 after serving as a long-time volunteer with the Open Table Ministry Free Store program. Vera is also a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where Open Table Ministry is housed. Vera is affectionately known as our “Chaos Coordinator” and keeps our weekly Free Store running smoothly.

Rev. Wes Neal

Rev. Neal has been the pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Durham for the last seven years. He brings 25 years of experience as a church planter, as a teacher at a theological training school in Fiji, and in congregational partnerships with social service providers to his work on the Open Table Board. Wes is married to a professor of preaching at Duke Divinity School, has two kids in college at nearby institutions that shall remain unnamed, and loves to be outside, whether in the garden, or on a hiking trail with his dog.

Julia Gamble

Photo and Bio Coming Soon!

Susan LeGrand

Susan LeGrand joined the Open Table Ministry board in January 2026. She has volunteered with OTM for about 15 years, first serving lunches on the side of 15/501, and then working the weekly Free Store since 2021. Susan is a retired financial analyst and commercial lender. It is her commitment to caring for and seeking justice and equality for those in her community and world that drives her to serve with Open Table. Susan also serves as chair of the board of ServeTrust, a Christian nonprofit holistically serving the poor and marginalized in Andhra Pradesh, India. Susan and her husband Chris are active members of Oak Church in Durham. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband, spending time with her two grown children, being outdoors, and reading whenever she can.

Dr. Ken Rogerson

Dr. Ken Rogerson joined the OTM Board in January 2025 with a strong commitment to equity and community impact. He is a Professor of the Practice at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where he teaches and researches topics including technology policy, information privacy, digital equity, news media, and international communications. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Rogerson serves on the board of Digitunity, a national nonprofit focused on increasing access to technology for underserved communities.

Ken brings a thoughtful, systems-level perspective to the challenges our unsheltered neighbors face. His experience and steady leadership are valuable assets as we work toward long-term solutions grounded in justice and opportunity.

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson is honored and grateful to be a part of Open Table Ministry, having joined our Board in 2022. After a career as a nurse, she and her family founded the nonprofit Fresh Start Durham. The ability to partner with, and continue to serve and care for the people of Durham alongside OTM is a true privilege. Mary’s care for our homeless community and desire to help those that need us helps her faithfully serve the board at Open Table Ministry.

Captain Helen Tripp

Captain Helen Tripp joined the OTM Board in January 2025. She has been a paramedic with Durham County EMS since August 1991. She currently manages the Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedic program for the department. In this role, she has worked closely with community organizations to ensure those living homeless have access to the resources they need to survive.

Since 2017, Capt. Tripp has represented Durham County in the EMS seat on the current Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC). She served as the HSAC Chair in 2022-2023 after previous serving on the Executive Board as Secretary and Vice-Chair.

Talib Wail

Talib Wail joined the OTM Board in January 2025, bringing with him a deep, personal understanding of the work and mission at the heart of the organization.

For more than six years, Talib has been a trusted voice within the Open Table Ministry community, offering thoughtful insight into the quality of care and support provided through our programs. His strong, longstanding relationship with Founder Rev. Carolyn Schuldt and his lived connection to the work we do make him an invaluable bridge between our team and the neighbors we serve.

Megan Ward

Megan Ward is a Raleigh native who moved to Durham seven years ago. She works as the Director of Riding at Triton and the Head Coach for their IEA riding team. Megan began volunteering at Open Table Ministry, serving lunches in 2019. She looks forward to continuing to give back to my community through Open Table Ministry.