Our Team
Cares is a team of leaders in aging and disability systems, collective impact, and guardianship. With over 150 years of combined expertise, our team brings deep knowledge and insight to everything we do.
Annamae Giles, MSW
Program Coordinator
As Program Coordinator, Annamae leads operations, project management, and staff supervision for the Cares program. With almost 30 years of experience spanning both macro and direct social work practice, her expertise includes aging services, healthcare, and end-of-life care.
When I’m not working you can find me traveling, eating meals with family and friends, hanging out with my dog, reading, or making a quilt.
Alison H. Climo, MSW, PhD
Senior Community Engagement Specialist in Aging
Alison (Ali) Climo earned a MSW and PhD in social work from the University of Michigan. Ali worked at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC for many years, as faculty and director of undergraduate social work, and then as director of institutional effectiveness. Ali’s community work includes over twenty years of consulting with aging services organizations and assisting communities in planning to meet the needs of the older adult population. In 2017, Ali helped establish Age-Friendly Buncombe County (NC) and served as its coordinator until 2022. During that time, she also joined the team at Cares at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work, where she is now a senior community engagement specialist in aging. Ali’s work with Cares includes facilitating and supporting collective impact initiatives across the state and developing training and education for individuals, families, and professionals in North Carolina.
When I’m not working you can find me knitting or sewing, playing Wordle, or enjoying the outdoors in Western North Carolina.
Melissa C. Black, MPH
Community Engagement Specialist in Disability
Melissa C. Black, MPH, is a dedicated Community Engagement Disability Specialist at Cares within the UNC School of Social Work, where she focuses on enhancing resources and support for individuals with disabilities. With a Master of Public Health and a strong foundation in aging and disability, Melissa is committed to promoting inclusive practices and empowering communities. Having earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Melissa combines academic excellence with hands-on experience to drive impactful community initiatives. Her expertise in aging and disability allows her to effectively bridge gaps in service and advocate for meaningful change. Outside of her professional endeavors, Melissa is passionate about fostering connections and promoting awareness within her community. She believes in the power of collaboration to create a more inclusive society for all.
When I’m not working you can find me at a baseball field!
Kait C. Bilston, MSW
Project Coordinator
Kait is a dedicated social worker passionate about systems change and supporting communities through education, collaboration, and advocacy. With experience in both direct practice and macro-level work, she currently divides her time between Cares and the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach (OCEO) at the School of Social Work.
Kait has contributed to several impactful projects, including developing the North Carolina Dementia Friendly Communities and Hospitals Toolkit, helping create the Dementia Capable North Carolina educational video series, and supporting the creation of a Hurricane Helene resource list for OCEO. Her approach blends big-picture systems thinking with hands-on collaboration. Whether she’s designing educational materials, engaging with stakeholders, or coordinating outreach efforts, Kait is committed to making tools and strategies accessible for all.
Kait earned her Master of Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill and her Bachelor of Social Work from James Madison University. A creative problem-solver, she finds joy in bringing her ideas to life — especially when they involve time in Canva or Miro.
When I’m not working, I’m adventuring with my husband and our children, tending to our flower farm, or curled up with a good book.
Kim Appel, MA, MS
Instructional Designer
Kim joined Cares in September 2023. Previously, she worked at NC State as an Instructional Designer focused on internal training and Yardi Systems creating internal and client facing self-paced instruction. Before earning her second masters in Instructional Technology from ECU in 2018, Kim was an Assistant Professor at Wake Tech Community College where she taught psychology from 2004 to 2015. Kim has also held various positions at the university and state level in disability services.
When I’m not working you can find me running on the local trails around Raleigh.
Molly Markey, MA
Communications Specialist
Molly Markey, MA, joined the Cares team in 2023 as the Communications Specialist where she works on development of outreach and communication materials for the North Carolina Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration project and assists with Cares and Rethinking Guardianship communication efforts.
Molly is a graduate of Salem College and received her Masters of Arts in Interactive Media from Elon University in 2014. She has worked in various communication and product development roles since. In 2023 she began the UNC Master of Social Work distance education program in Winston-Salem and will graduate with her MSW in May 2026.
When I’m not working you can find me on a hike with my family or enjoying a good book.
Nefi López-Chen, MGEM/MBA
Cares Business Officer
Nefi enjoys his role as a Business Officer at Cares. His expertise in business administration and finance drives impactful initiatives aligned with Care’s mission and goals. He manages finances, advises on budget and program issues, and ensures compliance with university, State, and Federal guidelines. In addition to coordinating and processing travel arrangements for the team, he identifies funding sources for staffing, research, tests, and acquires resources to enhance the efficiency of the Cares Team and contributes to planning for the program’s future growth.
When not working, I can be found exploring a wide range of topics, learning about different cultures and their perspectives, and staying updated with the latest technology and trends. I also enjoy tending to my garden and plants, as well as spending quality time with my immediate family, who mean a lot to me.
Linda Kendall Fields, M.Ed
Director & PI, Cares Program
Linda Kendall Fields has been at the UNC School of Social Work in Chapel Hill since 2015 as Clinical Associate Professor and now as Director & PI of the Cares Program. With over four decades of experience, she has passionately led programs and built communities that address the needs and recognize the contributions of older adults, people with disabilities, and families across healthcare, government, and universities in Minnesota, Oregon, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina.
When I’m not working you can find me walking and hiking with my dogs in the Asheville area, teaching and performing violin, enjoying friends & family, especially my children and adorable grandchildren.
