Meet Our Studio Staff
Executive Director
Grace was born in Pensacola, Florida, but has called Charlotte, NC home for the majority of her life. She found her heart for mission work and nonprofits while working with her church growing up, but credits her passion to her grandmother, who served many nonprofits throughout her life and passed down a love of service to Grace. After moving to Raleigh in 2018 to attend Meredith College, Grace was able to pursue her passion as she constructed her own degree in Nonprofit Management. Grace started with Designed For Joy in the fall of her senior year as an intern and joined the Designed For Joy staff full-time following her graduation in May. When she is not hard at work, you can catch Grace hanging out with her friends, binge watching reality TV, or reading a cheesy romance novel.
Retail Sales Director
Suzanne answered the call for retail volunteers in 2020 and is now on staff. She instantly fell in love with the women and the mission. Suzanne is passionate about expanding our reach in the Triangle and beyond. She loves sharing the DFJ mission with visitors in the studio and shoppers at vendor events. When not at DFJ, she enjoying spending time with her family, paddle boarding at Lake Jordan, reading, attending concerts and traveling.
Wholesale Sales Director
Vanessa, a native New Yorker and self-proclaimed 'Jersey Girl,' bid farewell to her career in financial services and left behind the frigid winters of the Northeast for the welcoming embrace of the south. Along with her husband Hap and their faithful companion Sydney Grace, they enjoy exploring the abundant walking trails within the Triangle or soaking up the sun at their favorite NC beach. Her unwavering commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle is reflected in her passion for cycling and her dedicated yoga practice. Vanessa always had a yearning for something more profound and a desire to find a deeper purpose. In 2023, she embarked on a new chapter by joining Designed For Joy which resonated with her core values, faith and allows her to channel her passion for service.
Operations Manager
Stacy's love for trying new things drew her to Designed for Joy, which allowed her to combine work experience with a need to support a passionate faith-filled mission. She has alway enjoyed working part time jobs in small businesses while her kids, Ben and Laura, were growing up. When her kids were off to college, she, alongside her husband John, designed, built, and ran a retail gift business in Cary. In 2017, she and John decided to make a move from Cary to downtown Raleigh, where they could walk and live closer to all the things they enjoy doing! After, the gift shop closed in late 2019, they transitioned the best-selling products from the gift shop to their website, and they now run the small online business from home. When they aren't working, they love gardening, traveling with friends, cooking, and of course, walking to all the local restaurants, music venues, and breweries!
Designer & Production Manager
Dana Friedli recently joined the team as a designer at DFJ following a 41 year career as a professional musician. She is a Parsons School of Design trained silversmith, and has been designing and creating silver and dichroic glass jewelry for over 30 years. Dana completed a Teen Life Coaching Certification in 2023, recognized through the ICF. This seemingly disparate set of skills synchronistically comes together in working with vulnerable women and product design at Designed for Joy.
Director of Philanthropy
With over 13 years of fundraising experience across academic healthcare institutions, higher education, and social justice and human rights organizations, William Gehling brings a passion for building meaningful partnerships to his role as Director of Philanthropy at Designed For Joy. A graduate of NC State University, William began his career in New York City before returning to North Carolina to be closer to family. He is energized by connecting with supporters and friends to help realize Designed For Joy's vision of providing women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support. When he's not working, you can find William spending time with his puppy, running, traveling, or catching up on his favorite TV shows.
Program Manager
Maggie Burch, a Myrtle Beach native with a heart for adventure and a passion for impact, has always been drawn to the power of social enterprises. During a gap year, she did Semester At Sea where she toured a social enterprise in Ghana—a moment that cemented her desire to create meaningful change. This led her to earning her Bachelor of Science in Social Development: Innovation and Impact from Meredith College.
Maggie first joined Designed For Joy as an intern and now manages our programs, ensuring that every woman who walks through our doors leaves feeling empowered, confident, and part of a supportive community. When she’s not at the Studio, you’ll find Maggie enjoying downtown Raleigh, volunteering with the Junior League and B Local Triangle, or planning her next getaway.
Care Manager
Anna Brooke is passionate about serving others and integrating case management with trauma-informed therapy to provide women with the highest level of care. Specializing in trauma-informed, solution-focused therapy, she is dedicated to supporting women by connecting them with essential resources and offering guidance that promotes healing and growth. Inspired by her faith, Anna Brooke attended Meredith College for her BSW and is currently pursuing her MSW at the University of Kentucky. After a pivotal shift from computer science to social work during her sophomore year, she committed to a career focused on supporting others and walking alongside them to become the best versions of themselves. She began her journey with Designed For Joy as an intern during her senior year of college and officially joined the team full-time in December 2024. Outside of work, Anna Brooke enjoys spending time at the beach, watching baseball, and cuddling her mini Goldendoodle, Willa. After earning her MSW, she plans to pursue her LCSW, continuing her work in mental health and making a lasting impact on others.