Staff
Michelle Caldwell
Director of Administration and External Relations
miccaldw@wakehealth.edu
336-713-1626 (Office)
Michelle is NC born and bred and loves working in downtown Winston-Salem. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte majoring in English with a minor in Communications (which means she is well-qualified to communicate in English). After a 10-year hiatus in the western US, she and her family landed back on the east coast where she began her fundraising career with United Way. She came to Wake Forest Baptist as a major gift fundraiser in 2007 and has worked for the Childress Institute since it was only a glimmer in its parents’ eyes; jumping at the opportunity to help start an organization that makes such a positive impact in the lives of children. Michelle’s own teenage girls keep her busy but also in touch with life in the insta-snapchat-twittersphere.
Kara Thompson
Marketing and Communications Manager
kathomps@wakehealth.edu
336-713-1625 (Office)
Kara helps tell the story of the Childress Institute’s work through multiple communications outlets, and facilitates the relationship with Richard Childress Racing and other sports partnerships. She also manages education initiatives for EMS and athletic trainers, and concussion awareness programs for coaches, parents and kids. Prior to working at the Institute, Kara spent seven years in licensing and public relations at RCR, and six years in healthcare public relations in New York City and Raleigh, N.C. She is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill. Kara has two young children and is passionate about helping all children receive the best care possible.
Brittany Pendleton
Event Planner
bpendlet@wakehealth.edu
336-713-3338 (Office)
Brittany was born and raised in a small coastal town in South Florida. She is a proud alumnus of Florida State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Business Management. After college, she moved to Winston-Salem and began working in the University Events Office at Wake Forest University. Then in 2016, Brittany became a Certified Meeting Planner and joined the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. She is thrilled to be a part of the team and enjoys planning fundraising events to help further the institutes’ mission. Brittany enjoys crafting and baking, and loves living in North Carolina with her husband Brandon and their two dogs.
Contact Us
Medical Center Blvd.
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(866) 635-8190 – Toll free
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