Born in Wilmington, NC, Shelisa has lived in Durham for more than 30 years. She is honored to be Aging Well Durham’s first Executive Director.

Shelisa has more than 25 years of community health and nonprofit experience. She is a Jim Bernstein Community Health Leadership Fellow and a member of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from UNC- Chapel Hill, a master’s in public administration from North Carolina Central University and a graduate certificate from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.

If you are interested in learning more Aging Well Durham, the Durham Aging Plan or have a meeting and presentations requests, contact Shelisa at shelisa@agingwelldurham.org.

Chelsea is the Livability Program Coordinator for Aging Well Durham. She has 15 years of experience in health education and scientific research, including community interviewing, focus group facilitation, meeting facilitation, analyzing public health issues as well as serving as liaison between teams and stakeholders. Chelsea is a published researcher. She earned a Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science from Winston-Salem State University, a Master of Public Health in Community Health Education from UNC-Greensboro and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Her interests are helping people live healthier lives at every stage and gardening is her newest hobby.

If you are interested in the Durham Adult Protective Multidisciplinary Team or the Older Adult Hunger & Nutrition section of the 2025 Durham Comprehensive Aging Plan, please contact Chelsea at chelsea@agingwelldurham.org.

Sam is the Communications Coordinator for Aging Well Durham. He has worked for nonprofits for over 3 decades. His focus has been LGBTQIA+, Sexual Health, Harm Reduction, and Assault/Domestic Violence Prevention. Sam graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill at 53 with Highest Honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He has been a caregiver for several friends and family, which led to his desire to advocate for aging adults, as does his age! Sam plays the electric guitar and serenades his cat, Walter who does not approve.

If you are interested in Aging Well Durham’s communications including our newsletter, The Well or the Social Participation domain of the 2025 Durham Comprehensive Aging Plan, please contact Sam at sam@agingwelldurham.org.