meet the board
Our Board of Directors is comprised of diverse, experienced, and service-driven individuals
committed to bettering the lives of all those in our community through kindness, dedication,
and individualized support.
Our HUGCLT Executive Board isn't just a group of like-minded individuals with mutual goals;
We're a family. And together, we know in our hearts that there is nothing we can't accomplish.
Paul Kelly is a prominent figure in Charlotte, North Carolina, recognized for his extensive contributions to the technology sector and the LGBTQ+ community. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Praesulis LLC, a consulting and managed services firm dedicated to helping organizations maximize their technology investments. Under his leadership, Praesulis has been acknowledged as the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce's "Business of the Year" and has received the Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® certification.
In addition to his role at Praesulis, Paul serves as the Global Director of Technical Solutions Engineering at Tanium, where he assists IT and security teams in identifying and prioritizing organizational risks and threats.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Paul is deeply committed to community service. He co-chairs Hearts United for Good (HUGCLT), a Charlotte-based nonprofit focused on addressing the needs of marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population. His dedication to advocacy is further demonstrated by his involvement in key roles in Charlotte Pride, InterPride, and Campus Pride, advocating for marginalized communities..
Paul is a native of Eugene, OR and an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a devoted dog parent to Gretchen Wieners, a long-haired miniature dachshund
PAUL KELLY
CO-CHAIR
Gregory James Godley is a founding partner at Legacy, a commercial real estate firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a family history spanning over 50 years in industrial and commercial development in the Charlotte area, Greg specializes in locating and rezoning properties for optimal use, focusing primarily on Mecklenburg County's central business district. His expertise includes site location, tenant representation, build-to-suit projects, and commercial redevelopment. Since 1999, Greg has been an active member of the Mecklenburg County Architectural Review Committee, where he participates in selecting and reviewing architects and engineers for city-county projects.
Greg has recently concluded his 3-year term on the RAIN Board; however, he still plays an integral role for the Regional Aids Interfaith Network as one of the main advisors and board members overseeing The Havens – a housing complex providing access to safe and affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness who are living with HIV or other disabilities. In addition to his professional endeavors, Greg maintains an active presence on social media and has a hand in many successful restaurants in the Charlotte area.
Greg currently serves as the HUGCLT Co-Chair, and he is incredibly proud and excited to lead this organization into the future with it’s unlimited potential!
GREG GODLEY
CO-CHAIR
Tracee is a CPA and was appointed to the HUG Executive Board of Directors as Treasurer in April 2021. Outside of her HUG responsibilities, she is a VP of Finance in the Healthcare IT industry and has over 15 years of Accounting and Finance experience, 7 of which are with nonprofits.
She is passionate about giving back and serving the underserved. Her favorite role with the foundation is spending time with the encampment hotel clients and getting to know them and their story. There is no greater reward than seeing their smiling faces and giving them comfort in knowing someone cares.
Tracee hails from Georgia and is a huge UGA football fan. She moved to Charlotte with her husband, Thomas, in 2011 and they have two boys, Jakob (13) and Simon (8), and a morkie named Stanlee, who was named after the late Stan Lee.
TRACEE KARLSSON
TREASURER
Moving to Charlotte from Vermont in 2002, Bethany has called the Queen City home for the past 19 years. Also known throughout the Queen City as DJ Little Betty, she’s taken pride in using her connections and experiences to help provide resources, develop programs, and raise funds & awareness for numerous causes.
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Bethany was recently appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Homeless Services Network (HSN), and has held titles and regularly volunteered for numerous organizations such as the Special Olympics, the Humane Society of Charlotte, RAIN, Time Out Youth, HRC, United Way, and countless other groups. She is incredibly proud to join Randall Hitt and the Homeless Services Network as Vice-Chair and is eager to continue the work of this amazing organization providing education, support, and resources to those that support our incredible community of houseless brothers and sisters.
BETHANY MCDONALD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Jessica Lefkowitz is the Executive Director of Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition. In this role, she is responsible for strategically coordinating homeless street outreach practices, case management, and housing navigation for individuals who are currently unhoused.
In addition, she case manages previously homeless residents in three shared living Hearts Houses. Her mission is ending socio economic and racial inequities to housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Jessica Lefkowitz received her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
JESSICA LEFkOWITZ
Executive Board
Events Coordinator
ETHAN HLEBECHUK
Laura hoover-JESSUP
SECRETARY
Steven has always found people’s journeys intriguing. He believes your story is worth telling and worth being heard. Steven has always had a “crush” on humanity and he believes the diversity of culture, customs and lifestyles are what make life great.
Steven also firmly believes in using his personal journey - the ups and downs of life, from religion to spirituality, and the wisdom nuggets he has gained from being fascinated by sitting with the humanness of people - as a guide to leave people and places better than he found them. There is a deep calling within his soul to help people heal, and break destructive life cycles. Steven believes in connecting community with the intention of making this world a more beautiful place.
Love always wins.