Staff
Matty Alexander, Program & Operations Consultant
Matty Alexander is the Program and Operations Consultant for the Johnson Service Corps. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his master’s degree at Duke University. A resident of Durham and a native North Carolinian, Matty is originally from Monroe, North Carolina and comes from a family with deep roots in the Carolinas stretching back more than ten generations. He is a proud Episcopalian of the Old High Church variety. His education and vocational interests have been shaped by the intersection of storytelling, leadership, and service. He is drawn to Johnson Service Corps because of its commitment to forming young adults through community building, service, and spiritual formation. He strongly believes JSC can play an important role in helping young people grow deeper in their faith in Jesus Christ while developing the capacity for service-oriented leadership. In his spare time, he enjoys reading Anglican theology, browsing fashion lookbooks, playing video games, watching baseball, and going to the theater.
Board of Directors
The Rt. Rev. Anne Elliott Hodges-Copple, VI Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina (Resigned), Chair
Elected Bishop Suffragan for the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in 2013, Bishop Hodges-Copple first served with now Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and more recently with Bishop Sam Rodman, the Eleventh and Twelfth Bishops of The Diocese of North Carolina. She resigned from active duty at the end of 2023. During her tenure Bishop Hodges-Copple had direct oversight of lifelong Christian formation, campus and young adult ministries, new mission starts, the ordination process for the diaconate, Hispanic/Latino ministry, global partnerships for mission, criminal justice reform/prison ministry, refugee ministries and the pastoral care of retired clergy, their spouses and surviving spouses. In addition, she collaborated with ministries in creation care, racial equity and justice and congregational vitality. She met with the international network Anglican Leadership for Successful Climate Change Negotiations in preparation for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26.
The Rt. Rev. Anne has just concluded a six year term as a member of the Executive Council for The Episcopal Church where she served on the Finance Committee and the Economic Justice Loan Committee.
The Rt. Rev. Anne is a Trustee of the American Friends for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. She has helped lead four pilgrimages to the Holy Land and looks forward to resuming that vocation once the conditions in the Holy Land are more conducive for such visitations.
The Rt. Rev. Anne has lived most of her adult like in Durham. In addition to parish ministry and campus ministry, she has previous experience as a shelter director for battered women and has served on various community boards, including Latino Educational Achievement Partnership and Habitat for Humanity of Durham.
She and her husband, John, who recently retired from thirty years as the Director of Planning for the Triangle J Council of Governments have three adult children, each of whom has a wonderful life partner, and four delightful grandchildren, all living in the Raleigh/Durham area.
The Rt. Rev. Anne has just concluded a six year term as a member of the Executive Council for The Episcopal Church where she served on the Finance Committee and the Economic Justice Loan Committee.
The Rt. Rev. Anne is a Trustee of the American Friends for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. She has helped lead four pilgrimages to the Holy Land and looks forward to resuming that vocation once the conditions in the Holy Land are more conducive for such visitations.
The Rt. Rev. Anne has lived most of her adult like in Durham. In addition to parish ministry and campus ministry, she has previous experience as a shelter director for battered women and has served on various community boards, including Latino Educational Achievement Partnership and Habitat for Humanity of Durham.
She and her husband, John, who recently retired from thirty years as the Director of Planning for the Triangle J Council of Governments have three adult children, each of whom has a wonderful life partner, and four delightful grandchildren, all living in the Raleigh/Durham area.
Henry W. Sappenfield
Henry’s joining of the JSC Board arises out of his and his family’s commitment to their neighbors and larger community. A native of Oklahoma, Henry met his North Carolina-born wife Liz on an archaeological dig in Scotland. After graduate school, law school, and several moves, they adopted Durham as their hometown in 2007, joining St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and starting a family. In addition to raising their three young children, Henry and Liz are active in investing in Durham, and seeing that all of its residents are provided for and supported. Henry is a partner at Kennon Craver, PLLC, practicing as a trial attorney representing local and regional clients in both federal and state court. Henry and Liz also enjoy old movies, old buildings, and old friends.
The Ven. Sarah Woodard
The Ven. Sarah Woodard has made her home in Durham for a number of years and has been active in the community. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, she began working in Durham at CCB’s Trust Department followed by a 42-year career at Duke University and the Health System, most recently in Human Resources.
Sarah was ordained to the diaconate in 2009 and has served at St. Titus’ Episcopal Church and at the Episcopal Center at Duke. Archdeacon Sarah currently serves at St Stephen's, Durham. She is a longtime hospital chaplain and previously served as Dean of the Durham Convocation.
Her community activities have included serving as President of the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties and Sister Cities of Durham. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Eno River Association and the North Carolina Council of Churches. She has volunteered with Johnson Service Corps in various ad hoc ways.
Sarah’s hobbies include reading, walking and hiking. Sarah is married to Mike Woodard. They are the parents of Molly, their beloved English Cocker Spaniel.
Sarah was ordained to the diaconate in 2009 and has served at St. Titus’ Episcopal Church and at the Episcopal Center at Duke. Archdeacon Sarah currently serves at St Stephen's, Durham. She is a longtime hospital chaplain and previously served as Dean of the Durham Convocation.
Her community activities have included serving as President of the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties and Sister Cities of Durham. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Eno River Association and the North Carolina Council of Churches. She has volunteered with Johnson Service Corps in various ad hoc ways.
Sarah’s hobbies include reading, walking and hiking. Sarah is married to Mike Woodard. They are the parents of Molly, their beloved English Cocker Spaniel.
Jimmy Paton
Jimmy first encountered the service corps model as a member of the Episcopal Service Corps in Los Angeles, an experience that shaped his understanding of intentional community, justice work, and spiritual formation. That foundation continues to inform his vocation as a social practice artist and his training as a chaplain.
Originally from Florida, Jimmy has called Durham home since 2022. He works as Development Marketing Specialist at Duke University Chapel, where he promotes the Chapel's mission through strategic storytelling and creative media. He also contributes to "say the thing," a Duke project helping young adults develop moral imagination and agency through new canons of sacred texts created by modern prophets. As a social practice artist, Jimmy creates immersive experiences that blend technology, social commentary, and spirituality, exploring how art can create pathways to healing and collective transformation. He is currently pursuing an M.Div. with a concentration in Chaplaincy Studies at Chicago Theological Seminary alongside an MA in Art & Technology at the University of Oklahoma. A self-described post-Pentecostal mystic, he brings a trauma-informed approach to spiritual care, shaped by his own journey through religious deconstruction and reconstruction.
Jimmy's commitment to Durham extends beyond his work at the Chapel. He volunteers with Day One Relief and is passionate about how intentional community and service can form young adults for lives of meaning and justice. He lives in Durham with his partner Beca, and when he's not working or studying, you'll find him at metal shows, behind a drum kit, or searching for good coffee.
Originally from Florida, Jimmy has called Durham home since 2022. He works as Development Marketing Specialist at Duke University Chapel, where he promotes the Chapel's mission through strategic storytelling and creative media. He also contributes to "say the thing," a Duke project helping young adults develop moral imagination and agency through new canons of sacred texts created by modern prophets. As a social practice artist, Jimmy creates immersive experiences that blend technology, social commentary, and spirituality, exploring how art can create pathways to healing and collective transformation. He is currently pursuing an M.Div. with a concentration in Chaplaincy Studies at Chicago Theological Seminary alongside an MA in Art & Technology at the University of Oklahoma. A self-described post-Pentecostal mystic, he brings a trauma-informed approach to spiritual care, shaped by his own journey through religious deconstruction and reconstruction.
Jimmy's commitment to Durham extends beyond his work at the Chapel. He volunteers with Day One Relief and is passionate about how intentional community and service can form young adults for lives of meaning and justice. He lives in Durham with his partner Beca, and when he's not working or studying, you'll find him at metal shows, behind a drum kit, or searching for good coffee.
Babs Wise
Barbara “Babs” Wise retired in 2022 from a 27-year career working with Duke undergraduates. Her roles included institutionalizing the nationally recognized FOCUS Program for first-year students; 25 years as an academic advisor to pre-major students; Associate Director of the Office of University Scholars and Fellows, and as Director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office at Duke University. In these roles, she says that the privilege of working with young adults as they dreamed about their futures, learned to articulate their goals, and then went on to be amazing leaders in the world fueled her work.
Since retirement, she has continued her involvement in national scholarship work as an external reviewer for the Samvid Scholarship and the Robertson Scholars Program, and as a consultant for the Goldwater Scholarship, mentoring fellowship advisors nationwide. Additionally, she is a regular volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the LEAP program.
A cradle Episcopalian, raised at Church of the Holy Family, married at the Chapel of the Cross and now long-time member of St. Luke’s Durham, she has strong ties to the Triangle. At St. Luke’s among other roles, she has served three years as Senior Warden, several rotations on the vestry and as delegate to diocesan convention. She is currently on the Newcomer’s Committee, an usher, a Godly Play presenter, and editor of the monthly newsletter.
Babs lives in Durham with her husband, Jim. Her children have married well and given her six grandchildren ages 4-17.
Johnson Service Corps combines Babs’ loves of the church and helping young people discern their individual calls. She looks forward to assisting in the re-imaging of JSC so that it will continue its 25-year history in the Triangle.
Since retirement, she has continued her involvement in national scholarship work as an external reviewer for the Samvid Scholarship and the Robertson Scholars Program, and as a consultant for the Goldwater Scholarship, mentoring fellowship advisors nationwide. Additionally, she is a regular volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the LEAP program.
A cradle Episcopalian, raised at Church of the Holy Family, married at the Chapel of the Cross and now long-time member of St. Luke’s Durham, she has strong ties to the Triangle. At St. Luke’s among other roles, she has served three years as Senior Warden, several rotations on the vestry and as delegate to diocesan convention. She is currently on the Newcomer’s Committee, an usher, a Godly Play presenter, and editor of the monthly newsletter.
Babs lives in Durham with her husband, Jim. Her children have married well and given her six grandchildren ages 4-17.
Johnson Service Corps combines Babs’ loves of the church and helping young people discern their individual calls. She looks forward to assisting in the re-imaging of JSC so that it will continue its 25-year history in the Triangle.
Rich Kells, Treasurer
Rich is the Director of Foundation Relations at Duke Health. His professional development career began at Duke in 2008, first with the Duke Annual Fund, and then as a Major Gifts Officer for Pratt School of Engineering. From 2018 - 2024, Rich directed the Corporate and Foundation Relations team at Habitat for Humanity in Durham and then worked at NeighborHealth Center, a community health center in Raleigh, where he was their Chief Development Officer. Rich has a deep appreciation and understanding for the importance of philanthropy in nonprofit work. Before working in development, Rich served for 6 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Porter (DDG 78) and at The Pentagon.
Rich lives in Durham with his wife Andrea and his two daughters (ages 16 and 13). In the community, Rich is a member of St Luke's Episcopal Church (Durham) and is former member of the Durham Rotary Club, Raleigh Chamber, and Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Board. He is an avid marathon runner and you can often find him with his family at a Bulls game or enjoying one of Durham's many amazing restaurants.
Rich lives in Durham with his wife Andrea and his two daughters (ages 16 and 13). In the community, Rich is a member of St Luke's Episcopal Church (Durham) and is former member of the Durham Rotary Club, Raleigh Chamber, and Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Board. He is an avid marathon runner and you can often find him with his family at a Bulls game or enjoying one of Durham's many amazing restaurants.