Director of Marketing and Development

Laura Capell worked in corporate marketing for many years before her heart led her to the nonprofit sector.  For nearly a decade she worked with a local human service agency in the areas of volunteer management, operations management, marketing and resource development. Laura joined our team in 2016 with a goal of making a tangible difference in the lives of The Champions Center’s children and families. Laura is an Anderson native.  She attended TL Hanna High School and Anderson College.  She is a graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University, the Carolina Academy of Nonprofit Leaders in Columbia, SC and Leadership Anderson Class 25. Laura has served on several local nonprofit boards and advisory committees.  Laura and husband, Chris, live in Pendleton, have 2 adult daughters, 2 special son-in-loves and one delightful granddaughter.

Program Director

April Brown joins our team with over 27 years experience working with children. She has enjoyed roles as a Childcare Director and Owner as well as a Pre-school and 3rd grade classroom teacher. She is an Anderson native and attended Westside High School. She earned degrees in Early Childhood Education from Tri County Technical College and Southern Wesleyan University. April has a passion for helping children and families overcome challenges. Her positive energy and common-sense approach paired with “Big Vision” is a compliment to our mission of helping special children thrive. April is married to Rev. Jarvis Brown, is the mother of 3 boys and “Meme” to 2 grandsons.

Assistant Program Director

Peggy Dermer has served in multiple roles with our team. Originally volunteering her time as a member of our Board of Directors, she saw the orginization continue to grow and expand its services. Not many years later, after retiring as a nursing instructor, The Champions Center had an opening for a substitute nurse and Peggy happily filled in. Eventually, she accepted the role of School Nurse full time. She recently stepped into the role of Assistant Program Director, where she will continue to utilize her vast experience and dedication to our mission to positively impact special children and their families.

Curriculum Coordinator

Julie Shepard currently serves as Curriculum Coordinator for The Champions Center. She joined the Center as a classroom teacher, eventually transitioning to her current role.

Cassandra Skelton - Board Chair
Alumni Parent, Kudzu Staffing

Samantha Evans - Treasurer
Anmed Health

Dr. Matthew Bradshaw
Anmed Pediatric Associates

Jessica Clinkscales
Michelin US8

Mike Rippy
Grace Episcopal Church

Bobby Rettew
Anderson University

• Ahead Start

• Bright Start

• Promising Futures

• Tri County Therapy

• SC First Steps

• Babynet

• SCDDSN – SC Department of Disabilities & Special Needs

• United Way of Anderson County

• Anderson School District 5

• Anderson Sertoma Club

• The Abney Foundation

• Dabo’s All-In Foundation

• First Citizens Foundation

• The Josephine Moffatt Stevenson Trust

• Young Family Foundation

• Sisters of Charity of South Carolina

• Help Me Grow South Carolina

• Beginnings SC

• Pyramid Pieces

• Michelin North America

• Yoder’s Building Supply

• Panagakos Paving

• Emcor

• First Quality Tissue

• Electrolux

• TTI - Ryobi

• Yoder’s Building Supply

• First Citizens Bank

• The Clever People Realty

• WAHL-94.9 FM - Anderson County’s Information Station