Development and Donor Services

Pamela Young-Jacobs leads the Development Team while strengthening donor engagement, expanding mission-driven programs, forging new business relationships, supporting existing civic club connections, and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability. She brings more than 25 years of innovative experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising and program development. She has been recognized for her ability to build partnerships, secure grant funding, and create innovative opportunities for youth, families and small businesses. Pamela’s career is rooted in servant leadership and a passion for empowering underserved communities to thrive. She is also the first female Assistant Chief of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe.

Phone: 910-646-3083
Email: pamela.young-jacobs@bghnc.org

Ray Cockrell joined the development team at BGHNC in April 2005 with a focus on planned giving and major gifts and he has returned to his specialty in this position. Call him to talk about how he can help you with gift planning that will benefit you and Boys & Girls Homes.

He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds both a bachelor and master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In addition to his work, Cockrell is active in scouting and serves as a leader for the scouts in Troop 26 in Wilmington. Cockrell is an active member of the Wilmington Optimist Club, incoming Governor of the North Carolina East Optimist, and is an active member of his church.
He's been married to Kimberly for 33 years. They have two young adult sons. Mason is in the Navy and Joshua works in Greenville, NC.  

910.646.3083 ext. 204 (o)  |  ray.cockrell@bghnc.org

Johnna Harrelson is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Mission Officer. She is the queen of keeping Development organized and decorating for all of our events. She is also the chief decorator for our Flemington Hall at Halloween and Christmas.

Office: (910)646-3083 ext. 260

Email: johnna.harrelson@bghnc.org

Marie Kelly is Development's go-to person for all donation and donor needs. She is also the secretary to our Alumni Association as the longest serving employee in Boys & Girls Homes history at more than 50 years!

Email: marie.kelly@bghnc.org 

Frances Davis works with Marie Kelly to process all donations for Boys & Girls Homes.

Email: frances.davis@bghnc.org

Amanda Irwin is all things media. She coordinates all media calls as well as all internal and external messaging, social media accounts, website development, advertising, photography, videography, storytelling, strategic marketing, the Alumni Story Network documenting our alumni's life stories and more.

Email: amanda.irwin@bghnc.org
Phone: 910-499-5618

Erica Hughes, our Director of Community Engagement, is no stranger to the civic club world. As a past president of the Whiteville Junior Woman's Club, Erica has worked on many service projects with her club as well as other civic clubs in North Carolina.

Give her a call or email anytime to invite her to speak to your clubs or at state conventions across North Carolina.

Phone: 910-646-3083
Email: erica.hughes@bghnc.org

Emily Andrews Wright handles all the local, state and federal grant writing for every Boys & Girls Homes program. She also handles documentation needs to make sure Thomas Academy and other programs are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Office: (910) 646-3083 ext. 299
Email: emily.andrews@bghnc.org

Kelsie Watts is a sophomore Business and Finance major at N.C. State University. She is excited to join Development for her first internship and learn about the wily world of nonprofit Marketing. She will be working with Marketing Director Amanda Irwin to create post series on social media, video content and looking at ways to update our social media for relevancy to a younger demographic. Welcome, Kelsie!

Tyra Powell is a Marketing Intern for Summer 2026. 

After graduating with her Business Marketing degree from Norfolk State University in 2024, Tyra decided to return to college for a second bachelors in Media Studies in Production at Temple University in Philadelphia. 

After graduation in 2027, Tyra hopes to pursue a job in videography and sports journalism or work on sports documentaries. She's interested in working for the NFL, NBA or WNBA.

A native of northern New Jersey, she now calls Lake Waccamaw home as her mother and stepfather have settled here. 

"I'm really seeing a difference in the opportunities available to me at Temple to reach my goals," Tyra said. "I want to do anything production-related. I'm noticing that I love anything behind the scenes."

Tyra will be working on creating TikTok channels for BGHNC and our Country Store. Welcome, Tyra!