About the Team

Linda Kendall Fields, Director and PI

Linda Kendall Fields has dedicated more than 35 years to building communities that are responsive to the needs and contributions of older adults, people with disabilities and families in Minnesota, Oregon, Ohio, Georgia and North Carolina. During her career, Kendall-Fields has used collective impact and other community engagement strategies to lead numerous health care, nonprofit and government initiatives. In her role at UNC-Chapel Hill, she leads a team that is dedicated to facilitating systems change with and for adults of all ages. Noteworthy projects include the Rethinking Guardianship initiative, the Supported Living Levels 2&3 Action Team, the Dementia Capable NC Coalition, and NC Money Follows the Person’s Building Home & Community-Based Services through Collective Impact initiative. Linda is the current President of the North Carolina Guardianship Association.

Annamae Giles, Assistant Director

Annamae T. Giles leads program operations, oversees project management, and supervises staff supporting a range of complex, multidisciplinary initiatives. She previously served as a clinical assistant professor in the school and brings a strong academic‑practice perspective to her current role. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience across both macro and direct social work practice, Giles’ professional and research interests focus on aging services, healthcare systems and end‑of‑life care. Her current work emphasizes applied, practice‑informed initiatives that strengthen service systems for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. At Cares, she has been an integral contributor to projects including Money Follows the Person, the Southeast ADA Center, and collaborations with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services. Her work centers on translating research into practice, supporting policy‑relevant programs, and ensuring effective, equitable service delivery through strong project coordination and community partnership. In 2025, Giles received the UNC School of Social Work’s Excellence in Public Service and Engagement Award in recognition of her leadership, impact and commitment to public service.

Ali Climo, Senior Community Engagement Specialist

Through her work with Cares, Ali develops education and training materials for North Carolina professionals, families, and older adults and provides leadership and technical assistance to support large-scale systems change. She specializes in applying collective impact approaches, including supporting the NC Division of Aging in implementing the Dementia Capable North Carolina Strategic Plan and leading the revisioning of the state’s senior center certification program. Ali is also co-coordinator of the Carolina Aging Network.Ali earned her MSW and Ph.D. as a National Institute on Aging (NIA) Research Fellow in the Joint Program in Social Work and Psychology at the University of Michigan and she played a key leadership role in regional aging initiatives, including leading the research and writing of the Buncombe County Aging Plans (2008–2012, 2013–2017, and 2018–2022). She was also the founding coordinator of Age-Friendly Buncombe County, where she helped establish the Housing Options for Aging in Place Working Group, the Elder Justice Coalition, and the Experienced Workforce Initiative.

Melissa Black, Community Engagement Specialist

Melissa C. Black 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, Black 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, she 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.

Kim Appel, Instructional Designer

Kim Appel joined Cares at the School of Social Work in September 2023 as an Instructional Designer. She previously 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 from 2004 to 2015. She also has held various positions at the university and state level in disability services. Her current role blends her love of teaching and instructional design with her background in psychology and disability services.