Meet Our Staff
Amy Gurd
Interim Executive Director
Amy has lived in Greenville since 2001 and has been married to her husband, Jason, for over two decades. Together, they have three children at home, two adult children, and two grandchildren. Amy homeschools her three youngest children and is deeply involved with the Classical Conversations community in Greenville. They are active members of Covenant Church and participate in various community activities that keep the family on the go
Amy graduated from ECU with a degree in Elementary Education and taught for ten years before choosing to stay home as a full-time mom, while also working part-time for Jane Fortune Counseling. While dedicating time to her family, she has actively served in women’s ministry with Covenant and as a mentor and food coordinator for YoungLives. Over the last few years, Amy felt a clear calling toward expanded ministry work, making The Nehemiah Initiative a perfect fit for her heart to serve single-parent families.
Kasey Saunders
Program Coordinator
Kasey lives in Pitt County with her husband, two sons, and their family dog. With roots in western NC, she has called Pitt County home for over twenty years. She is a two-time graduate of East Carolina University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Relations along with a Master degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kasey has been licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2010.
Over the years, Kasey has been fortunate to have worked in various roles in the communities of eastern North Carolina. Her career has largely focused on working with children and families. Through her work with individuals and families, she continues to be inspired and blessed by the strength, resiliency, hope, and perseverance of those she has met along the way. She is passionate about whole-person wellness, families, relationships, mindfulness, child development, equality, and social justice. Kasey is thrilled to be a part of The Nehemiah Initiative, seeks to connect with and understand others and hopes to bring compassion, hope, support, encouragement, and empowerment to those she meets on this journey!
Kenyada Maye
Program Coordinator
Born and raised in Kinston, NC, Kenyada Maye is a passionate social worker and dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment. She is a two-time graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s (BSW) and Master’s (MSW) degrees in Social Work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW),Kenyada has a diverse background in direct practice therapy and foster care services In addition to her work at the Nehemiah Initiative, she is a professor at East Carolina University and co-owns a private mental health practice. Kenyada’s professional passions lie in helping women reach their goals and live life to their fullest potential.
In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and traveling to explore new destinations.
Gregg Green
Founder
Gregg is the Founder, and former Executive Director of The Nehemiah Initiative and is now the Outreach Director at Covenant Church. He holds a BA in Religion from Whitworth University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Master of Public Administration from UNC-Wilmington. Ordained in 2004, Gregg has served congregations nationwide and in the U.S. Army as a Chaplain, acquiring advanced specialized training in pastoral counseling, crisis intervention, and trauma care. Gregg and his wife, Kim, have four children. Having been raised by a single mother, he intimately understands the complex hurdles of single-parent households and is deeply driven to empower families on the same journey.