Social Work Alumna Tchernavia Montgomery Named Executive Director of Charlotte Non-Profit

UNC Charlotte alumna Tchernavia Montgomery ’08, ’09 has been selected as the next Executive Director of local non-profit organization Care Ring.

Each year, Care Ring serves more than 7,000 Mecklenburg County residents through its program offerings: direct primary care in the Low-Cost Clinic, coordination of donated primary and specialty care and hospital-based services through Physicians Reach Out, and Nurse-Family Partnership, an evidence-based two-year nurse home visitation program for new moms. Wrapping around all of these programs is a team of case managers to address the non-clinical, socio-economic factors that affect health. Care Ring is also an active champion for a more equitable system of care.

With 17 years of health and human services experience and as a licensed clinical social worker, Montgomery is a servant leader at heart with a true passion for helping the community’s most vulnerable residents. She previously served as the Chief Program Officer at Crisis Assistance Ministry. Tchernavia holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from UNC Charlotte, where she also serves as an adjunct faculty member and chairs the School of Social Work’s Community Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as a director on the board at The Greater Charlotte Region’s American Red Cross and was recently recognized with the City of Charlotte and Atrium Health’s MLK Growing the Dream Award.

“Tchernavia brings a great deal of experience, authenticity and leadership that will be instrumental to Care Ring as they continue to support the community with access to care for people with limited resources. Her background in clinical social work and addressing the challenges people in poverty face will position Care Ring as a leading advocate for a better system of care. The board and I are beyond thrilled to have Tchernavia as the next leader of this great organization,” said Mark Markiewicz, chair of the Care Ring board of directors.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community, especially during such a critical time in our history. Care Ring has a deep commitment to socio-economically stressed families that so closely mirrors my own,” Montgomery said. “Continuing in its legacy of promoting, protecting and improving the lives of those it serves, I am excited to work alongside Care Ring’s dedicated professionals and valuable community partners to passionately lead us into what will be its next and greatest phase: ensuring high-quality and equitable care is accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County.”