Staff

Elaine Whitford 

Executive Director

Elaine joined The Center as Executive Director in June 2018, bringing 20+ years of nonprofit leadership. Immediately before joining The Center, she was the Director of Development at Disability Rights North Carolina. As a volunteer and a professional, Elaine has led many successful nonprofit communications, development, and events activities. She has served on many nonprofit boards in the Wake County community. Elaine is an enthusiastic proponent of The Center’s volunteer services, which support the growing needs of Wake County older adults, family caregivers, and adults with disabilities who are living independently. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and received her juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

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Sonya Levitt 

Transportation Coordinator

Sonya joined our team in May 2024, bringing with her a strong dedication to serving others as demonstrated by her previous volunteer experience with The Center. After spending five rewarding years nurturing her family and contributing to her community through organizations like Meals on Wheels and her daughter’s school, Sonya felt it was time to reignite her professional journey. Previously, Sonya had a successful career in the Biotech industry spanning 15 years. Her time in this field gave her a deep understanding of patient-centric processes. Outside of work, Sonya finds happiness spending time with her family and pets. She’s an avid reader, enjoys travel and outdoor activities.

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Sofia Ouchou, MSW

Caregiver Support Coordinator

Sofia joined The Center in January 2026 with a master’s degree in social work from NC State University. She brings experience working with individuals in various settings, including as a psychometrist providing neuropsychological testing to mostly older adults. She is passionate about supporting others in ways that promote their wellbeing and independence and is excited to continue that passion at The Center. In her free time, Sofia enjoys spending time outdoors and especially loves biking, hiking, and camping.

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Melinda Race

In-Home Connections Coordinator

Melinda joined our team in August 2026. She has a degree in social work and years of working with the underserved in our community. Before becoming a social worker, she worked in the corporate financial industry where she learned the analytic skills needed to work with a diverse population of people and determine the best solutions for each individual person. This sparked her interest in learning ways to help others thrive in the community. When not at work, Melinda spends time volunteering with other organizations and meeting new people. She enjoys reading, traveling with her husband and friends, and watching sports (mostly the Boston Red Sox).

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Luna

Head of Pup-lic Relations

Luna joins her mom, Sonya Levitt, at the office most days. She spends her day snoozing, greeting the postal worker and other visitors, and begging for scraps at lunchtime.