NCCJ Staff
Susan Feit
Executive Director
Susan Feit is Executive Director of The National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont-Triad, an organization dedicated to fighting bias bigotry and racism through education, advocacy and dialogue. NCCJ is most well known for its youth programming, including ANYTOWN -- its nationally-acclaimed summer leadership program, a program that is often cited as being a transformational experience for youth, particularly immigrant youth. This year, NCCJ’s award-winning ANYTOWN is celebrating its 23rd summer of leadership training for youth.
Raised in the Chicago area, Susan lived in Israel for over twenty years before returning to the United States in 2004. Across two continents, Susan has dedicated her life to building inclusive, just societies. In Israel, Susan worked extensively with Arabs and Ethiopian Jews and was appointed by the former Israeli Minister of Education to co-chair a committee to improve educational opportunities for the Ethiopian-Israeli community. She also established and chaired two affinity groups for foundations – one for funders of initiatives supporting Ethiopian-Israelis and the other for foundations working to advance Bedouin Arab. Working to promote peace in the region, Susan was also instrumental in establishing a fund dedicated to promoting human rights in the Palestinian territories. Susan also served in leadership roles on the following national initiatives: the advancement of housing and neighborhood renewal; improvement of math and science curriculum and instruction; and the rejuvenation of residential education.
Since coming to Greensboro, Susan has worked as a consultant to foundations and nonprofit organizations, including United Way of Greater Greensboro. Susan appeared on local NPR in segments highlighting her experience of teaching her family and herself how to move beyond fear and work with Arabs to promote peace. Her columns have appeared in the News & Record and the High Point Enterprise. Since 2007, Susan has led NCCJ, bringing strategic focus to NCCJ and broadening the dissemination of its nationally-recognized programs. In 2010, NCCJ now offers programs year-round to children and adults of all ages, including free leadership training to increase inclusion and understanding for every secondary school in the Guilford County School system.
Listen to Susan Feit on NPR programs
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Amanda M. Osborne, MPA, CFRE
Director of Development and Communications
Amanda Osborne joins the NCCJ team, bringing a wealth of fundraising expertise, communications experience and a tremendous passion for the mission of NCCJ.
Amanda has a long history of commitment to the Triad nonprofit community. Most recently, Amanda served as Director of Development for Victory Junction where she directed major gift initiatives, corporate and foundation relations, special events, donor stewardship and the annual fund. Prior to her tenure at Victory Junction, Amanda was Director of Development and Public Relations for Fellowship Hall, where she increased annual giving by more than 200 percent and secured the two largest grants in the organization’s 40-year history. Amanda has also held the position of Senior Vice President for Fund Development at the Girl Scouts, Tarheel Triad Council. During her time at the Girl Scouts, the Council successfully completed a $7 million capital campaign to create a new campus including administrative headquarters and program areas. She increased giving by 50 percent and led the nation in online giving through the Girl Scouts’ online donation program.
Amanda is Treasurer and Immediate Past President of the North Carolina Triad Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2005, Amanda was awarded the chapter’s Professional Fundraiser of the Year honor. She also serves as Vice President for Hartsook Companies, a nationally recognized fundraising consulting firm. Amanda earned a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University. Amanda earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2006. She resides in Greensboro with her husband, Brian Spain, and their son, Brian, Jr.
Alison Jones
Office Manager
Alison Jones took over as NCCJ’s Office Manager/Executive Assistant in March 2008. Alison brings with her extensive administrative experience. She has a BS in Political Science and Justice and Policy Studies from Guilford College, and has completed courses in nonprofit management and fundraising at Alamance Community College.
Alison has always been dedicated to equality for all people. After college, Alison had her sights on law school and Constitutional Law until she realized she would much rather be involved in the community on a day-to-day basis. She has received multiple recognitions for her community involvement and work with nonprofits. Her rich volunteer experience includes work with: the Greensboro Jaycees, North Carolina’s Junior Miss scholarship program, Delancy Street and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Alison is a native of Connecticut and currently resides in Gibsonville with her husband and their young son. In her spare time, Alison enjoys sailing, swimming, hiking, camping and going to NASCAR races.
Brandi Nicole Johnson
Program Coordinator
Brandi Nicole Johnson began her work at NCCJ through an internship while she completed her final year at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). In May 2009, Brandi received a degree in Political Science with minors in Communication Studies and History. Following her graduation, Brandi accepted a permanent position on the NCCJ staff. In addition to her role at NCCJ, Brandi works as a Weekend Manager at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals and she is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts. Brandi's lifelong commitment to service inspired her to pursue different opportunities for civic engagement within the Piedmont Triad Community. Currently, Brandi is a participant in the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce's Other Voices Program and a Spring 2010 Fellow in the Institute of Political Leadership. She graduated from the City of Greensboro’s City Academy in November 2009.
When she is not working or volunteering in the community, Brandi spends her time going to the movies, writing poetry and traveling around the United States. Brandi loves to mentor youth and plans to go back to school to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Jody Clayton
Program Coordinator
Jody Clayton joins the NCCJ team with experience in marketing, education, human relations and a desire to promote the task of NCCJ – to build a community free of bias, bigotry and racism.
Jody feels a strong commitment to Greensboro and the Piedmont-Triad region, as he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro. Jody’s panache for public speaking led to UNCG’s University Ambassador program, a service organization that would come to define his character. He also found a passion for education and human rights.
Upon graduation in 1999, Jody found a work-family with Replacements, Ltd. - a strong, giving and caring partner in the Piedmont-Triad community. During his tenure as the Online Marketing Coordinator at Replacements, Jody was exposed to many non-profit community agencies that labored to benefit the surrounding communities, co-chaired a United Way campaign fundraiser, and worked very closely with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
Jody moved on to UNC Charlotte to earn his Master of Arts in Counseling. While at UNCC, Jody joined the Housing and Residence Life team as a Residence Coordinator. Education, training and programming became his major focus. Additionally, Jody committed to a clinical internship in the Mecklenburg County Jail as a Substance Abuse Counselor-in-training. Jody also has the distinct honor of being a Past-President of Mu Tau Beta; a chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, UNC Charlotte’s counseling program’s honor society. In May of 2007, Jody earned his M.A. in Community Counseling. Jody resides in Greensboro, and is looking forward to making a true difference in the lives of those touched by NCCJ.