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All volunteers must pass a criminal background check through Sterling Volunteers, a third party vendor, every three years.
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OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Nelson's first exposure to the paranormal came at a very young age in his childhood home and it forever changed how he viewed the world around him. It wasn't until 2007 that his avid interest saw him joining two other paranormal groups in an effort to seek answers. In 2016, Nelson co-founded The Ghost Guild.
Nelson works in healthcare information technology with a large academic medical center in Chapel Hill. He is originally from Montreal, Canada and speaks French as his first language. He moved to North Carolina in 1991. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his daughter, LEGO, cooking, and drone photography.
Nelson works in healthcare information technology with a large academic medical center in Chapel Hill. He is originally from Montreal, Canada and speaks French as his first language. He moved to North Carolina in 1991. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his daughter, LEGO, cooking, and drone photography.
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Member Since:
Jan. 2017 (Founder) Role: Executive Director, Treasurer Cohort: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
Social Media:
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JaVon, a Midwest native now calling North Carolina home with his wife and two daughters, thrives on conversations that delve into the realms of history, culture, beliefs, and the unexplained. From an early age, he's been captivated by the mysterious and paranormal, continually questioning, "How can I ever know THE truth?"
By day, with over six years of experience in non-profit program management and event planning, JaVon plays a pivotal role in supporting over 25 social justice ministries at a parish in North Raleigh. His dedication extends to addressing critical issues such as poverty, affordable housing, food insecurity, and environmental care, embodying a deep-seated commitment to serve the most vulnerable. In his personal time, JaVon finds solace in reading and/or watching horror, engaging in both board and video games, fishing, and cherishing moments playing with his kids.
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Amber's curiosity about the paranormal stems from personal experiences and a desire to understand them scientifically. She has pondered the afterlife since childhood, wondering if one day she will have the answers she seeks. Her quest has led to her interest in paranormal-themed media, which eventually led her to The Ghost Guild.
With six years of experience in environmental education, Amber currently contributes to the environmental protection sector, actively involved in conserving natural resources. Additionally, her dedication extends to serving as Board President for a non-profit committed to aiding wildlife rehabilitators. Having resided in various parts of North Carolina, she holds a special affection for the mountains. Outside of work, Amber can be found immersed in nature, observing wildlife, or engaged in creative projects. Amber also serves as the North Carolina foster for a nationwide exotic reptile rescue organization.
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OUR VALUED MEMBERS
Allison is a seasoned research scientist with over a decade of experience studying bio-electricity. With a background in Psychology and armed with a PhD in Biology, she boasts an impressive track record, having published several papers on electrophysiology and neurological diseases. Her multidisciplinary background provides her with a unique perspective on the complexities of human behavior and cognition.
Eager to apply her scientific knowledge, she aims to measure and analyze the electromagnetic forces potentially associated with hauntings. Her goal is to uncover fresh insights into the interaction between perceived ghosts and the physical world, as well as their impact on living beings. Through her work, she aspires to bridge the realms of science and the supernatural, while sharing her fascination with others. Outside the lab, Allison gets her adrenaline rush through rock climbing and enjoys tabletop role-playing games, where she weaves tales of adventure with her friends.
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Lori's upbringing was marked by a nomadic lifestyle, relocating between states every one to two years. Living in diverse homes, many with historical significance, sparked her curiosity about the stories of their past inhabitants. This curiosity, coupled with her adult experiences, cultivated an interest in the paranormal.
Professionally, Lori is a member of the biology department at a large university in Chapel Hill. Drawing from her exposure to scientific research and data analysis, Lori contributes to various team efforts, including case reviews, documenting experiences, and formulating testable hypotheses. Beyond her professional pursuits, Lori finds fulfillment in nurturing her garden alongside her partner Donovan and caring for their chickens, two dogs, and a cat. Committed to community service, she enjoys attending live music events, exploring captivating literature, and indulging in her hobby of knitting, crafting items with varying degrees of practicality. Lori is also a certified death doula, where her compassion and dedication guides individuals and families through life's final chapter with tenderness and empathy as they traverse the threshold between worlds.
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Dani hails from Wilmington, North Carolina, a city rich in history that sparked her fascination with the past from a young age. A lover of stories, Dani earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her graduate thesis, which explores the emotional experiences of Black genealogists researching their family history in North Carolina, reflects her deep respect for the intricate connections between people and historical spaces.
As one of our Historical Research Associates, Dani brings a wealth of experience from her career working in oral history and her current role as an archivist at a state-level institution in Raleigh. Although new to paranormal research, she is eager to apply her research skills to deepen the Ghost Guild’s historical insights while maintaining our respectful approach to historic sites and their histories. In her free time, Dani is an active practitioner of vinyasa yoga and enjoys live music, watching movies, reading, and metal detecting.
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Melissa's journey into the paranormal began in the historic city of Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood before making North Carolina her home. Residing with her spouse, three dogs, and two cats, Melissa's lived experiences have cultivated a deep fascination for the paranormal—a curiosity that continues to grow each passing year.
A graduate of UNC Greensboro with a major in sociology and a concentration in criminology, Melissa channels her passion for social justice into her role as a social worker, specializing in supporting Latinx survivors of domestic violence. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in spending quality time with her family, engaging in creative crafts, exploring new destinations, paddling on her board, and dedicating time to volunteering at the local animal shelter. Driven by a desire to contribute to the paranormal field for future generations, Melissa eagerly anticipates actively engaging in data collection and testing current paranormal theories. Her commitment to both her professional and personal pursuits reflects her dedication to making a positive impact on the world around her.
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Monae Thomas, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for adventure. Having recently embarked on a new journey in North Carolina with her husband, seeking a fresh start after a decade in South Carolina, Monae's connection to the paranormal traces back to her early childhood. Her mother noted her ability to perceive things beyond ordinary comprehension, sparking a lifelong fascination with the unseen.
With a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Communication from Juniata College, Monae possesses a diverse skill set that complements her inquisitive nature. Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds joy in the culinary arts, indulging in crime shows and movies, and exploring the intricacies of the world around her. Monae's paranormal beliefs are rooted in Einstein's famous quote: "Energy is neither created nor destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another." She speculates that when an individual passes away, their energy endures. Embracing the belief that there is much more to the paranormal than meets the eye, Monae asserts that our understanding is merely a fraction of the vast spectrum of experiences that exist.
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Jana’s lifelong fascination with the mysterious and paranormal has been a driving force behind her personal and professional journey. Captivated as a child by the TV show That's Incredible, she wrote her first research paper in junior high on the existence of poltergeists. This curiosity led her to explore the Parapsychology Lab at Duke University and dive deep into North Carolina’s rich folklore of legends and ghost stories.
With a varied career, Jana has previously worked as an elementary school teacher and a prison psychologist. Currently, she serves in North Carolina's prison system, coordinating educational and vocational programs across 13 facilities in partnership with community colleges. Originally from Sanford, she has lived in several places, including Los Angeles, New York City, Montreal, and Plymouth, England, all of which have shaped her diverse worldview. In addition to her professional work, Jana is passionate about the arts and social justice. In 2015, she directed the first-ever play performed on North Carolina’s Death Row, merging her love for theater with her commitment to rehabilitation and social reform. She firmly believes in the power of second chances and the transformative potential of education and redemption. Jana holds a degree in Theatre from UNC-Greensboro and both a BA and MA in Forensic Psychology from CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. When she’s not immersed in her work or research, Jana enjoys crafting and spending quality time with her two beloved cats.
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Madison is a storyteller at heart, creating tales long before she could read. While she values objective truth, she believes the stories we tell ourselves and the personal mythologies we build are equally important in shaping who we are.
Her curiosity and desire to find wonder in the world led her to explore esoteric subjects, but it wasn’t until the COVID quarantine that her interest in spirituality deepened. Amid uncertainty, she found comfort in ritual and became fascinated by Witchcraft and the occult. The passing of her great-grandfather, followed by her father a year later, marked a turning point. During this time of loss, Madison began integrating spirit communication into her practices, holding private séances with her sister. Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an American Politics concentration and a Communications Minor from Mary Baldwin University, a historically women’s college. She’s aware of the tradition of women finding agency in the paranormal, particularly through the U.S. Spiritualist movement, which was largely women-led and championed Progressive causes like abolition and women’s suffrage. In her free time, Madison makes earrings, participates in craft fairs, enjoys creative writing, and is a proud cat mom to Mikaylah, her witchy black cat. She’s also worked professionally as a copywriter.
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OUR CONSULTANTSARCHAEOLOGISTS
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Consultant Since:April 2018
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