Board of Directors

Bruce Kirschenbaum

President

Bruce moved to the NC Triangle — after over 40 years living in Northern Virginia — to be near his grandchildren (three in Raleigh, one of whom is on the Autism spectrum, and two more grandchildren in Charlotte).

  • After graduating Columbia University Law School, Bruce joined the staff of the senior U.S. Senator from New York. From there he went to work for the War on Poverty in the Legal Services program’s headquarters in Washington.

    He became Assistant to the Mayor of New York (Abe Beame) and helped lead the fight to save NY City from bankruptcy in the mid-1970’s. From that position he joined the Carter Presidential campaign and followed the President to the White House as Deputy Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs/Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet.

    Following his public service, he reluctantly practiced law for several years but then became an entrepreneur by buying a large international satellite facility and doubling its size. Bruce has also owned and managed a family owned oil processing company in New Jersey and later the largest pet site on the Internet.

    After a short time with a Gates Foundation funded effort to develop a new TB vaccine, Bruce started making feature films with his middle son who lives in Raleigh.

    Bruce recently moved to the NC Triangle — after over 40 years living in Northern Virginia — to be near his grandchildren (3 in Raleigh, one of whom is on the Autism spectrum, and 2 more grandchildren in Charlotte.)

Rita Faust

Vice President, Co-Founder

Rita is the mother of an adult son with intellectual disabilities and has been a strong advocate for him during his entire public school education. She has a 30-year work history in both non-profit and for-profit companies.

  • Her experience stretches from public relations, human resources and project management to strategic planning and continuous improvement.

    She worked as the Director of Administrative Services for the YWCA of Elkhart County in Indiana. In that capacity she was responsible for membership, coordinating a two million dollar Capital Campaign, grant writing and human resources. She was part of the management team and worked closely with the Board of Directors and other local United Way funded organizations.

    She also worked over 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility for Bayer Corporation, both in Indiana and RTP, North Carolina. She worked in Human Resources, Strategic Planning, and on several Merger & Acquisition projects. Her last position was Manager Executive Administration, reporting directly to the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc., a large international biotech company with approx. 5000 employees. As a member of the executive management committee, she had many opportunities to learn from great leaders in the industry and finance world.

    Rita received her degree in Business/Administration from Fachhochschule fuer Wirtschaft (Business College) in Cologne, Germany. She also took extensive coursework in Human Resources at Indiana University, South Bend, and numerous continuous education classes in a variety of fields.

Michael Jackyra

Secretary, Communications Chair

Mike, a native to the Raleigh area, attended UNC-Wilmington earning his graduate degree. Mike brings experience in finance, operations, and accounting related roles. He is passionate about helping the community and has served on various religious and non-profit boards.

  • Mike and his wife, Julie, are natives to North Carolina and the Raleigh area. Mike attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees. From there, Mike relocated to Charlotte, NC where he began his career in Public Accounting and started his family. Over the years, Mike and Julie followed their careers which included a relocation to Southern California but they later returned to North Carolina and once again reside in the hometown where they grew up.

    Professionally, Mike is currently the Vice President of Finance for Cinterra, a leading provider in utility scale renewable energy solutions. Mike brings experience in finance, operations, and accounting related roles.

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mike and Julie have two energetic kids who are active in soccer, music, and the great outdoors. 

    Mike is passionate about helping the community and has served on various religious and non-profit boards. He joined the Board of Engage-NC as the Secretary and Communications Chair and is dedicated to supporting the organization's mission. 

Kc Spangle

Treasurer

Kc attended UNC-Wilmington and graduated with a Master’s in Accounting in 2012. Kc is currently the Vice President of Accounting for a local company. Kc brings experience in finance, operations, and accounting related roles.

  • Kc and his wife, Jennifer, are originally from Indiana moved to North Carolina to attend school. Kc attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees. From there, Kc relocated to Raleigh, NC where he began his career in Public Accounting. Over the years Kc progressed through his career and is currently the VP of Accounting for his company. He oversees the Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning, and Analysis functions. 

    When not at work Kc and Jennifer are avid supporters of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC Courage. When not at the games they can be found spending time with their dog Elby, traveling, or spending time with their family and friends. Kc joined the board because he believes in the organization’s mission and is dedicated to helping advance it.

Talonda C. Broadnax

Board Member

Talonda, a native of historic Selma, Alabama, has called the Raleigh-Durham area home for over 15 years. A seasoned people leader with expertise in Operations Management and Talent Development & Learning, she has led diverse teams within the Patient Services division of a global biotechnology company.

  • Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the President’s Award, Excellence in Leadership, and Community Service.

    With a B.A. in Communications and an M.Ed. in Educational Technology, coupled with Situational Leadership II certification, Talonda is committed to fostering professional growth. She is passionate about mentoring and has dedicated her time to guiding both undergraduate and graduate students.

    As a proud aunt to eight nieces and nephews, including one nephew with autism, Talonda brings a deeply personal connection which she hopes will continue to serve as a catalyst to learn, advocate, and have a meaningful impact with Engage NC.

Amanda Cross

Board Member

Amanda has lived in Raleigh, NC, for over 30 years. She has served as PTA president and volunteered with organizations such as the Miracle League of the Triangle, the North Carolina Food Bank, and Note in the Pocket. She is the mother and legal guardian of two young adult children with intellectual disabilities, one of whom is on the Autism spectrum.

  • This experience that has shaped her passion for supporting others navigating similar challenges.

    Professionally, Amanda has built a career in clinical research biometrics, focusing on statistics, data management, and cross-functional team integration. She has held various roles, including executive leadership positions, and now runs Crossfield Coaching and Consulting, a business she founded to help organizations and individuals overcome obstacles and realize their potential. Her approach emphasizes clear communication, collaboration, and practical strategies for growth.

    Amanda holds a degree in Statistics from Virginia Tech and is a Certified Master Professional Coach. She combines her technical background with her coaching skills to create meaningful change for teams, organizations, and the broader community. Her work reflects her commitment to problem-solving and helping others succeed.

Katrin Deil

Board Member

Katrin is a community college instructor and business owner. Alongside her career in higher education and non-profit management, she served as a board member and volunteer for various organizations.

  • She moved to North Carolina in 2006 and obtained both a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications and an MBA. Alongside her career in higher education and
    non-profit management, she served as a board member and volunteer for various organizations that advocate for the elimination of mental health stigma, promote physical activity, and advance animal rights.

    Katrin currently resides in the Triangle with her dogs and cats and works with local organizations as an independent consultant.

    Her involvement with Engage NC started in 2025 when she planned the organization’s first Raleigh Inclusive Market. The organization's mission aligns with her dedication to create accessible work environments and eliminate employment barriers for neurodivergent professionals.

Advisory Board

Drew Peters

Advisory Board Member

Drew attended UNC-Wilmington and graduated with a master’s in accounting in 2007. Drew is currently the chief financial officer for a local software company that specializes in software as a service (SaaS) applications for commercial service contractors.

  • As the Chief Financial Officer for his company, he oversees the Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning and Analysis, Deal Desk, Corporate IT, and Investor Relations functions. In this capacity he is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of these functions, preparing and reviewing financial reports for the Board of Directors and external parties, and ensuring financial budgets are updated and monitored on a regular basis.

    Drew began his career in public accounting, working with both Deloitte and PwC. In 2012, Drew and his wife, Katie, moved to Auckland, New Zealand where they had the opportunity to spend two years on assignment with PwC.

    After returning from New Zealand, Drew and Katie started a family and now have three children. Drew and his family are passionate about anything Disney, experiencing new things, traveling, visiting the NC coast, and spending time with their friends and family.

    Drew is a former Board Member of Engage-NC.

Leslie V. Boles

Advisory Board Member

Leslie is the co-owner and president of Revu Healthcare, an instructor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and the co-chair of the board of directors at Grateful Heart Church.

  • She previously served as a member of the Board of Directors and the Compliance Committee Co-Chair of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) NJ chapter. Leslie also previously served as the Senior Director of Compliance and Audit at Waud Capital Partners for two and a half years, where she had oversight of Waud’s portfolio companies’ compliance programs, working in close collaboration with portfolio operations and business development teams to facilitate compliance with policies and laws/regulations.

    Leslie hopes to use her skills in strategy development, business operations, motivating and inspiring others to help potential employers of adults with Autism/IDD on their journey to success. She understands the value of employment for individuals and families affected by disability and the importance of a caring community that provides opportunities and support.

    Leslie received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. She has the credentials of CCS, CPC, CPMA, CHC, CPC-I and CRC from the American Academy of Professional Coders, American Health Information Management Association, and the Health Care Compliance Association.

    Leslie is a former Board Member of Engage-NC.

Jay Lieberman

Advisory Board Member

Jay recently relocated to NC from Los Angeles to continue to grow his real estate business, as well as to be close to his two daughters who live nearby. He has served on various school, religious, and local real estate association boards and committees over the years.

  • Jay was born and raised in Los Angeles and spent his youth watching his parents give back to the community, whether it be his father as a Jewish Big Brother or walking the halls of City of Hope Hospital during the holidays handing out gifts to the underprivileged patients. The seeds of giving and helping were sown early on, and Jay has been trying to emulate them his entire life.

    He graduated with a psychology degree from University of California at Irvine and moved on to law school. After graduating, Jay decided to move into a real estate development position in Los Angeles, where he became Chief Operating Officer and spent the next 16 years of his life. This entailed the purchase, development, management, financing, and disposition of multiple asset types throughout the U.S.

    From there, Jay moved on, opening his own real estate brokerage and law firm handing commercial and residential purchase, sale, and lease transactions. Ever since, he has been happy as a clam.

    He co-founded a giving group that operated for over five years, providing 100% direct funding from members of the group to various local charity groups within a segment of Los Angeles. Additionally, Jay served as a board director for a youth sports league, including serving as co-chair of a special needs sports program, for over 10 years. Moreover, Jay has served on various school board, religious and local real estate association boards, and committees over the years, all in attempts to give back to his community, which he learned as a kid.

    Jay recently relocated to NC with his wife to continue to grow his real estate business, as well as to be close to his two daughters who live nearby.

    Jay is a former Board Member of Engage-NC.

Anna Cunningham

Founder Emeritus & Advisory Board Member

Anna has made a positive difference in lives of many people with disabilities for over 20 years. She has been a consultant, speaker, advocate and community volunteer in New York, Texas, and North Carolina.

  • She dedicated her life to finding targeted solutions to help her family and others in the arenas of special needs, education choice, life transition issues, inclusionary practices, autism treatment & interventions, housing choice, employment, accessibility issues, technology opportunities, asset development strategies, etc. As a parent of daughter who has autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities, she has experienced firsthand the barriers and challenges people with disabilities and their families encounter.

    Among many other organizations, Anna has served as an IDD Family Representative on the Alliance Consumer and Family Advisory Committee, representing Wake County in the Alliance LME-MCO region that covers Durham, Wake, Cumberland, & Johnston counties; the State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee; The NC Council on Developmental Disabilities; and previously as a Board Member of The Arc of Wake County and as The Autism Society of NC Representative Board Member on the Life Plan Trust.

    Anna is a co-founder of The Power of the Dream, Inc. and is a former Board Member of Engage-NC.

    She received her B.S. in Industrial Distribution from the School of Engineering and Management, Clarkson University in New York. She continued to educate herself at various universities, training classes, and conferences in the areas of cognitive learning for both gifted/talented & special needs, disability issues, including autism-specific trainings, micro-enterprise (customized self-employment), financial social education, non-profit management and asset development.