Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) announces the election of its fiscal year 2011-2012 executive officers: Michael Olander, board chair; Anne Sorhagen, board vice-chair; Mary Ponds, secretary; and Rhonda Clark McNairy, treasurer.
Ponds is in her fourth term as mayor of Granite Quarry. She is a retired high school science teacher and lifelong child advocate. In addition to her role on the PCANC board, she currently serves on the boards of Nazareth Children’s Home and Rowan Regional Medical Center.
She is on the board of directors of Smart Start Rowan, where she was also a past board chair and Western NC Lay Council of the AME Zion Church, where she achieved the office of treasurer. Ponds was recognized for her outstanding support of Livingstone College with an honorary doctorate in 2002.
Kieran Shanahan, PCANC’s fiscal year 2010-2011 board chair, will serve as immediate past board chair. The executive officers will lead a team of 15 statewide volunteer leaders dedicated to child well-being and family strengthening efforts across North Carolina.
Michael Olander of Raleigh is the president of Apple Gold Group which includes Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Arkansas. Olander has been an active board leader for the Wake Education Partnership and Communities in Schools (CIS) of Wake County. He served several terms as board chair for CIS, and was a recipient of Communities in Schools of NC’s prestigious “Power of One” award.
Anne Sorhagen of Wilmington is a dedicated child advocate, and trained Guardian Ad Litem. In addition to her service to PCANC, Sorhagen serves as chairman of the board of the Cape Fear Guardian Ad Litem program. She is a former high school teacher and real estate company owner/broker.
Rhonda Clark McNairy of Raleigh has a long history of service to both the Raleigh community and North Carolina. She has been a member of the PCANC Operations Committee since 2008 and used her experience as a nonprofit focused CPA to assist with a complete revision of the organization’s fiscal policies. She has served as treasurer of the Junior League of Raleigh and statewide chair of the State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of North Carolina.
Kieran Shanahan of Raleigh served as PCANC board chair since January 2010. Under his leadership the board developed a comprehensive three year strategic plan, expanded programs across the state, and exceeded fundraising goals. Shanahan is a principal in the Shanahan Law Group, PLLC. Shanahan serves on the East Carolina University Board of Trustees. His long history of service to his community includes four terms on the Raleigh City Council, and service on the Board of Trustees of Bennett College.