Our Team
Courtney Blue, PhD
she/her | SENIOR Data & Research Analyst
Courtney received her PhD in Sociology with a concentration in medical sociology from the University of Akron in 2018. Before joining Forsyth Futures, she was a graduate assistant and research intern in the psychiatry department at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). She also assisted the Metro Transit Authority in Akron, OH in surveying passengers for both internal and external projects.
She has experience in every step of the quantitative research process as well as some experience working with community stakeholders to help improve system processes. She enjoys working with data to help tell the story of a community; it is a story that she hopes will lead to better social conditions for everyone who lives in the community.
courtney@forsythfutures.org
S. Austin Cavanaugh, M.A.
he/him | Research & Data Analyst
Austin’s training and background experience is in social science research methodology and data analysis. His experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods and analyses includes supporting grant-funded research projects in public education, designing and implementing program evaluation, and providing private-sector contract research services. Austin is passionate about leveraging research and program evaluation to support data-driven decision making for all stakeholders, and believes deeply in the value of continuous improvement. When he is not working as Research and Data Analyst for Forsyth Futures, Austin enjoys spending time with family and friends, engaging in outdoor hobbies like camping and indoor hobbies like cooking and table-top role playing games.
austin@forsythfutures.org
Anita Galbraith
she/her | Partnership Director, Forsyth County for Grade Level Reading
Anita, of British / Cuban descent, spent her childhood growing up in different countries around the world. This allowed her to experience many different cultures as a child which in turn helped shape and form both her professional and personal life. Anita holds a BA in Child Development and Early Education as well as an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Anita is passionate about continuing her advocacy here at Forsyth Futures and as the Partnership Director of Forsyth County for Grade Level Reading, hopes to be part of enhancing the overall quality of life for all those who live in Forsyth County.
anita@forsythfutures.org
Stephanie Gomez
she/her | Data and Evaluation Specialist, Data Sharing Project
sjgomez@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
Adam Hill, M.S.
he/him | Executive Director
Adam received a Master of Science in Neuroscience from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Binghamton University. He began his work at Forsyth Futures by performing the data management and research responsibilities for The Forsyth Promise: a community-wide education partnership focused on improving outcomes for children and students from birth to career. His role expanded to oversee the organization’s work in support of similar data driven initiatives within the community, such as Age-Friendly Forsyth and the Asset Building Coalition. Now, as Executive Director, Adam is passionate and committed to working in communities and transforming research and data into action that will yield positive outcomes for all in Forsyth County.
adam@forsythfutures.org
Elizabeth Perkins Lees, M.P.H.
she/her | Director of Data & Research
Elizabeth joined the Forsyth Futures team in August of 2012. She currently serves as the Director of Data and Research. Her previous work at Forsyth Futures includes studies on homelessness, kindergarten readiness, electoral participation, access to health care, and poverty as well as work on various Forsyth Futures Indicator Reports. She is passionate about finding and sharing information that can support work that helps Forsyth County grow and thrive, and she enjoys answering community questions and finding new ways to collect the information people need. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, where she also completed a certificate program in socio-contextual determinants of health. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wake Forest University. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, being outdoors, knitting, and playing the viola.
elizabeth@forsythfutures.org
Cat Mizzi-Orrell
she/they | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Originally from New York, Cat came to Winston-Salem in 2016 to attend Wake Forest University and fell in love with the city beyond campus. During her first year at Wake Forest, she took over running the drama club at Paisley IB Magnet School, which quickly became the highlight of her college career. Cat graduated cum laude in 2020 with a B.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and minors in Theatre and Health and Human Services. After graduating, she realized she wasn’t ready to leave Winston-Salem and decided to make this city her new home.
Cat returned to Wake Forest as the Communications and Events Specialist for the Office of Sustainability, and though she loved her time working for her alma mater, her dream was to work in a position dedicated to the Forsyth County community. Her passion for justice and equity-focused work brought her to Forsyth Futures. Cat couldn’t be more invigorated to work alongside her intelligent and dedicated colleagues to continue to understand the systemic challenges facing Forsyth County and inform positive changes to foster a more equitable and just county for all.
cat@forsythfutures.org
Tyler Sparks
he/him | PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGY DIRECTOR
Tyler received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2009, double majoring in Creative Writing and Communications and receiving a Certificate in Publishing. In the 14 years since then, he has worked as a graphic designer, webmaster, creative director, user interface designer, account manager, and communications director. He is currently based in San Diego, California.
In addition to his professional roles, Tyler was the founder and President of a small Forsyth County nonprofit called Sustainable+Ardmore, for which he received an ECHO award from the Winston-Salem Foundation. He has also owned and operated a small farm in Forsyth County. Tyler is passionate about working with an extremely smart and talented team of thinkers to help our community better understand itself and move toward solving our most urgent crises around racial and socioeconomic equity.
tyler@forsythfutures.org
Christina Spence
she/her | Manager. Data Sharing project
chspence@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
Xavier Acuña
he/him | Thriving Latine Communities Coordinator
Xavier Acuña is a proud Ecuadorian-American leader, born in Queens, New York, and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is passionate about building strong communities and creating meaningful opportunities for families to thrive.
Xavier began his career as an educator, working closely with children before expanding his focus to training adults in trauma-informed practices that promote mindfulness, resilience, and compassionate care. His experience has equipped him to build relationships across diverse communities while fostering environments where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported.
Today, Xavier serves as the Latine Communities Engagement Coordinator in Winston-Salem, where he works alongside families, community partners, and local organizations to strengthen connections, increase access to resources, and empower the Latine community through culturally responsive engagement. His work is guided by a deep commitment to equity, healing, and the belief that lasting change happens when communities are heard, connected, and empowered.