Our Team

Meet Our Team

Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFTFounder & CEO

Ashley McIlwain, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, speaker, and writer. She is the Founder and CEO of the non-profit organization, Foundation Restoration, and blog LittleWifey.com, which are comprehensive resources committed to restoring the very foundation of society – marriage. She is committed to and passionate about helping relationships thrive. Ashley meets with clients for premarital, marital, and individual therapy at Foundation Restoration’s office, which is located in North Raleigh. She is certified as a SYMBIS Facilitator, Prepare & Enrich Facilitator, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, AACC Marriage & Family Division, and the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists. Her past experience includes working with Moody Publishers and Dr. Gary Chapman as Managing Editor to launch and develop a website focused on premarital preparation.

Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. Currently she and her husband, Steve, reside in Raleigh, NC with their sweet son Grayson.

Steve McIlwainCFO

Steve McIlwain is a project manager at an innovative computer software company. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Masters in Business Administration. Steve resides in North Carolina with his wife Ashley and their son Grayson.

Lisa PotterOffice Administrator

Lisa Potter is the Office Administrator who is a Certified Medical Assistant and graduated with her Associates Degree from Wake Technical Community College in 2015. Since then she has worked with Duke Primary and Urgent Care both caring directly for patients as well as working alongside laboratory administration. She loves all things administrative and creative and using those skills to serve others.

Lisa loves to crochet, read, and enjoys music and live theatre. Her and her husband Andrew live in the Raleigh area with their three children.

Our Board

Susan BoggsBoard Member

I was born in Minnesota but moved to California when in grade school.I have been married to my husband, Guin, for more years than most people reading this have lived. It is by God’s grace and mercy that I have been blessed with an amazing husband, our only daughter, and her wonderful husband, and our grandchildren.

I earned my degree in psychology at California State University, East Bay. I have been a business owner for decades, an elected public servant, a member of numerous non-profit boards, and a member of public boards and agencies. With my wide array of experiences, my greatest joy has come from being a wife and mother and walking with my Savior. I consider it another blessing to now serve as a fellow laborer on the Board of Directors of the ministry of Foundation Restoration.

Guin BoggsBoard Member

During my 46 years of teaching and coaching, I have honed my perspective of what really matters in life. True success, I have found, is not monetary gain or fame, but it is the investment and return that each one of us can have as we pour out our lives for others.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree at California State University, San Jose (San Jose State University), and my Master’s degree at California State University, East Bay (California State University, Hayward). Since that time, I spent my entire career as an educator and basketball coach. Having taught and coached on the high school level, junior college, and four year university level, I have developed a keen sense of the struggles and the needs of young people in United States today. During those years I committed myself to investing the best of who I am and the gifts and talents that God gave me into helping young people reach their full potential and understand that God is really the fundamental answer to the problems every person faces.

I am looking forward to serving as a board member of Foundation Restoration and believe that my service on the board will truly be an extension of my work in the field of education and sports

Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFTFounder & CEO

Glenn Mitchell

Jordanna Mitchell

In 2006, Jordanna Mitchell made North Carolina her home where she met her best friend and amazing husband Glenn. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in Business Administration and earned a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Duke University. She has worked as a certified paralegal for over 16 years.

Jordanna and her husband share 3 children and are committed to raising each of them with love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In her spare time, Jordanna enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, walking around her
neighborhood, swimming and fellowship each week.

Jordanna is excited to bring her love for Jesus and belief in strong marriages and families to Foundation Restoration.

Clinicians

Lea Mucciacciaro, MSW, LCSWA

Lea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also completed her bachelors at UNC Chapel Hill with a dual degree in Human Development Family Studies and Religious Studies. Lea is trained in Substance Use Addiction Specialization with a focus on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Lea is passionate about counseling children and supporting families as they work through struggles and circumstances such as divorce, adoption, and/or grief. Her desire is to be an advocate for family unity and an encourager for hope.

Lea believes in the importance of mental health awareness and creating positive relationships within families even through the toughest of times. She also specializes in artistic approaches to therapy for children, teens, as well as adults.

Mary Brannan Gubitz, MA, LMFTA

Mary Brannan Gubitz is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA). She received her Masters degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and her undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University. She is a certified facilitator for the SYMBIS Assessment and has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. She also pulls skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Mary Brannan has a passion for helping others see that there is hope no matter the situation. Looking at our struggles through a systematic lens allows for a fuller and deeper healing for every individual. Mary Brannan believes that with a healthy marriage comes a healthy family and a healthy community. She enjoys assisting couples and families become a strong unit together. Her areas of focus are premartial, martial, individuals, families, and adolescents (middle to high school) working through anxiety, depression, ADHD, marital conflict, family issues, communication, postpartum, trauma, life transitions, and grief.

Mary Brannan lives in Raleigh with her husband, Tim and three kids, ages 6 and 4 year old twins! She enjoys reading a variety of books and loves to swim.

Michele Howard, MA, LMFTA

Michele is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA). She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University and has a Master’s in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Michele is certified in the PREPARE/ENRICH pre-marital and marital assessment tool. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association of
Marriage and Family Therapists as well as the North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Michele’s desire in counseling is to help all people, regardless of circumstance, find peace through faith, and hope for tomorrow. Michele believes that hope is available for all people, regardless of how hopeless their situation may be.

As a Pastor’s wife, Michele was often sought out for advice and help long before making it her profession. Michele has a passion for listening and helping others. Having been married over 28 years, she has a passion for marriages and seeks to help others improve their marriage. Michele grew up in a divorced home and so she understands the trauma this causes both the spouse and children. As a result,
she has dedicated herself to helping make marriages better. She also has a passion for children. As the mother of three grown children, Michele understands the rigors and difficulties of bringing up children in the 21st century.

Michele lives in Lillington with her husband Mark. She has three grown children and was recently promoted to grandmother for the first time in February, 2021.

Samantha Dove, MSW, LCSWA

Samantha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). She received her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Samantha is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-I), trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and a SYMBIS Facilitator.

Samantha’s passion is assisting others in healing from traumatic and stressful life experiences so they are able to be fully present and find joy in daily life. Samantha believes in a holistic approach to treatment and has been trained in several different modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness.

Her areas of focus include teen, adult, and premarital therapy. Samantha specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Samantha lives in Wendell with her husband Joshua, a minister, and is the stepmother to three energetic young boys.

Hope Arendt, MA, LMFT

Hope is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University, one of three accredited programs in North Carolina. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is certified as a facilitator of PREPARE/ENRICH and has completed
through Gottman Level 3 trainings and working certification as a Gottman therapist.

Hope specializes in anxiety and family conflict, and has a passion for those searching for meaning and purpose in life. So many clients come in and are at a loss of what to do next; they feel hopeless. Her favorite part about therapy is the moment that they see a glimmer of hope: that things can change and they can find joy again. This is a huge shifting point in the process of therapy and it means two big things. One, you have formed a trusting relationship with your therapist. Two, renewed hope gives a boost of motivation to push forward and reach your goals. Hope Arendt has a passion for this journey, “I wish nothing more than to form a genuine trusting relationship with my clients and to lead them to their glimmer of hope. Ultimately, this will result in tremendous change in their lives!”

She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Cole; her son, Azariah; and her two daughters, Lenora & Evelyn.

Sydney Outlaw, MA, LMFT

Sydney Outlaw, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC-Greensboro and her Master’s Degree in Christian Marriage, Family, and Individual Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sydney primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and other modalities from a Christian perspective and framework.

Sydney loves helping and serving others. She feels that this passion is especially useful in her role as a counselor because she is able to help others during times of emotional and mental stress. Whether it’s a life transition, grief, anxiety, depression, couple’s issues, adolescent issues, or something else, Sydney believes that a big key in counseling comes from meeting the client where they are and diving deep into the issues they’re experiencing. In order to accomplish this, Sydney seeks to truly get to know her clients and form a therapeutic relationship that fosters trust and a safe place to process through life struggles and emotions. By doing so, she hopes that clients will be able to see that there is hope and healing to be found!

Sydney lives in Butner, NC with her husband Hunter and their two dogs, Bjorn and Raven. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors, singing, playing guitar, and spending time with family and friends.

Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFT

Ashley McIlwain, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University.

Ashley is the Founder and CEO of Foundation Restoration, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which offers a wide range of resources committed to helping relationships thrive. Believing that marriage is the foundation of society, she passionately utilizes her non-profit, therapy, speaking engagements, and writing to prepare, nurture, salvage, and encourage healthy, strong marriages from a biblical perspective. Her past experience includes partnering with Moody Publishers and Dr. Gary Chapman as Managing Editor to launch and develop a website focused on premarital preparation.

Her areas of focus include premarital, marital, and individual therapy working through life transitions, relational issues, personal growth, boundaries, restoration, depression, and anxiety. She is certified as a Prepare & Enrich Facilitator, SYMBIS Facilitator, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors as well as the AACC Marriage & Family Division. She has completed Level 1 Gottman Training.

Ashley loves connecting with, helping, and encouraging people professionally and personally. Her heart is to support those hurting and help them to feel understood, cared for, and hopeful on their path to healing. Ashley and her husband, Steve, live in Raleigh and have a precious and lively toddler boy that keeps them busy.

Contributing Writers

Coleen York

Coleen is a writer, blogger, and speaker whose passion is to inspire the upcoming generation to build the foundation of their lives, relationships, and identity in Jesus Christ. Coleen has served as an editor, event planner, and a social architect and firmly believes in using every outlet possible to share how Jesus transforms lives and relationships.

Coleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a background in Journalism and Media Art from Westminster College. She has also received training in Pastoral Leadership from Hillsong International Leadership College and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Ricinda Perry

Ricinda Perry is an attorney, wife and mother. Four years ago Ricinda traded in her fast-paced, high-heeled job with one of the largest law firms in Florida for her own relaxed island practice where most client meetings happen over an iced tea on the beach. On most days, you can find Ricinda with her daughter tagging along for a working beach day that often ends in building sandcastles or collecting seashells. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Liberty University and her Juris Doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. Her passion is her family, along with the ability to solve problems and create solutions. Currently she, her husband, Stephen, and daughter, Victoria, reside in southwest Florida.

Jeff Klick

Married since 1975 we have three grown children and nine grandchildren. Began in the ministry in December 1981 and have written two books so far – Generational Impact and Courage to Flee. Senior Pastor at Hope Family Fellowship in Kansas City, Kansas. We planted this unique church in 1993 with a vision to help heal families and release them into ministry to a very hurting world. In addition I serve as a pastor in a round table discussion on the Alive In Christ Radio Show, as a consultant to the Institute of Applied Management in KC, and as a board member for The Council of Family-Integrated Churches. Education includes: a professional designation – CFP, earned a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry, a Doctorate in Biblical Studies, and a Ph.D. in Pastoral Ministry.

Rick Poleck

Rick is a retired District Manager of a Rural Electric Cooperative. He and his wife, Melinda, reside in North Carolina. Raising three successful daughters, who are Christian wives and professionals in their chosen fields, he says, “Has been their greatest achievement.”

Loryn Purvis

Loryn’s number one thrill in life is sharing delicious meals with her loved ones. She enjoy introducing people to dishes that they have never tried, or even never liked before, but come away loving! She doesn’t think that weeknight dinner has to be boring. It should be an experience the whole family looks forward to every night. As a wife and mother who works from home every day, Loryn knows that quality and nutrition do not have to be sacrificed in order to get a meal on the table. It doesn’t have to be casseroles and cans every day! That’s where the idea for her online meal planning website, Menu Therapy, was born. Menu Therapy is her way of helping busy parents and serious home cooks alike, prepare meals using whole-foods and fresh ingredients. Put down that flavor packet and can of “cream of whatever,” and begin using fresh herbs and spices to achieve a more healthful and delicious result. Loryn graduated from San Diego Culinary Institute in 2011, and will be a lifelong learner of everything food. Taking what she learned in the culinary arts and combining it with what she knows works in her kitchen for her family, Loryn creates weekly meal plans and shopping lists for people who love to cook. Loryn lives in Southern California with her husband of over 10 years, BJ, and their two children Kellan and Allie.

Carol McIlwain

Carol is a retired Registered Dental Hygienist and lives in California. She and her husband, Gary, have been married for over 40 years. They have 2 children, both grown, and three grandchildren.

Stephanie Tracey

Stephanie Tracey and her husband Bruce of 45 years have a grown son and daughter and five grandchildren ages. Stephanie was trained as an elementary school teacher and has also served the Baltimore Class of Bible Study Fellowship International for seventeen years where she facilitated discussion groups, and mentored women of all ages. After designing a program to help her dyslexic daughter learn to read, Stephanie operated a tutoring business for twenty years in the Baltimore area, serving hundreds of families with special needs. That business evolved into Tracey Tutor which now offers educational materials and tutor training to homeschool parents, teachers, and missionaries throughout the US and Africa. Having faced the challenges of a daughter with learning disabilities, a husband with a traveling career, two grandsons with autism, and a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, Stephanie is passionately convinced that the Lord equips the called, and uses every challenge to mold us into the people He wants us to be. She daily seeks opportunities to share with younger women her real life experiences of God’s faithfulness to her and her imperfect family throughout the decades.