When a community gathers around a shared purpose, amazing things happen.

Flamingle for a Cause is led by a dedicated Board of Directors who share a commitment to strengthening our community and creating meaningful, lasting impact.

Together, our Board brings over 150 years of combined professional, nonprofit, business, financial, technology, community service, and leadership experience to Flamingle. Our members come from varied backgrounds and bring different perspectives, skills, and connections to the table — giving our organization a strong and well-rounded foundation as we continue to grow.

The Board is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Flamingle for a Cause, including financial stewardship, organizational accountability, community partnerships, fundraising, program oversight, and ensuring that our work remains true to our mission.

While our experience may be diverse, our purpose is shared: to use our collective talents, relationships, and resources to bring people together around the needs of our neighbors and make a measurable difference in the communities we serve.

Cammie Hackney

President

Cammie Hackney is President and a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she brings a background in human resources, sales, training, relationship building, community outreach and event planning. After moving to Holly Springs, Cammie became actively involved in the Twelve Oaks community, where the original Flamingle for a Cause event grew from a neighborhood effort into a broader vision for community impact. She is passionate about bringing people together, recognizing their individual talents and creating opportunities for those talents to make a measurable difference.

Chris Ward

Vice President

Chris Ward is Vice President and a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause. A retired FDNY fire officer with 25 years of service, Chris holds a master's degree in Homeland Defense and Security from the Naval Postgraduate School. His extensive leadership and community involvement includes service with the Twelve Oaks 55+ group, the CHDS Carolinas Regional Alumni Association and Holly Springs Community Emergency Response Team. Chris brings strong skills in strategic planning, problem solving, public speaking and community outreach, with a particular interest in youth leadership and building stronger community connections.

Alexis Verbic

Secretary

Alexis Verbic is Secretary and a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause. Her professional career spans more than 30 years in purchasing, staffing and recruitment, followed by service as executive assistant to the CEO of a nonprofit professional association. Alexis also brings decades of volunteer experience, including fundraising for the Melanoma Research Foundation and 20 years of service with the American Legion. Collaborative, organized and positive, she has a special enthusiasm for fundraising and event planning and believes that community awareness is an important catalyst for action.

Robert "Bob" Stewart

Treasurer

Robert "Bob" Stewart is Treasurer and a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause. A retired real estate appraiser and longtime business owner, Bob brings decades of financial, civic and nonprofit leadership experience. His extensive volunteer service has included leadership with a local education foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, hospital governance, economic development and numerous community initiatives. Detail-oriented and service-minded, Bob is passionate about helping families and ensuring children have the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Jessica "Jess" Brimmer

Board Member

Jess Brimmer is a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause with a professional background in finance and accounting and more than 15 years of corporate experience. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with bachelor's degrees in Finance and Accounting, Jess brings strong skills in organization, strategic planning, relationship building, fundraising and event execution. Her years of volunteerism include support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Susan G. Komen. Jess is passionate about bringing people together and helping create community engagement that is inclusive, purposeful and fun.

Francie Heckner

Board Member | Sponsor and Donor Relations

Francie Heckner is a founding Board member of Flamingle for a Cause, bringing experience in public relations, sales, communications, relationship building and community service.

A first-generation college graduate, Francie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University. Her career and family life have taken her to several states, giving her a natural ability to build relationships and connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds. She also volunteered for seven years with a Wilmington consignment store that raised funds for victims of domestic violence, deepening her commitment to serving others.

A thoughtful listener and confident communicator, Francie leads Flamingle’s Sponsor & Donor Relations efforts. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with local businesses and community partners and helping Flamingle grow into a trusted organization addressing needs throughout the greater Holly Springs area.

Carol McMillan

Ex Officio Director

Carol McMillan is an Ex Officio Director and one of the early leaders behind Flamingle for a Cause. She brings decades of experience in nonprofit and volunteer leadership, fundraising, community and corporate partnerships, communications and special-event planning.

Carol's professional and volunteer career has included leadership roles with organizations focused on literacy, education, healthcare, child welfare and hunger relief. She has served as a nonprofit development and public relations director, Chamber special-events and communications manager, professional event planner, founding community-foundation trustee, and board and volunteer leader for numerous community organizations.

Carol's extensive event experience and commitment to community service were instrumental in the success of Flamingle's earliest fundraising efforts. Today, she continues to bring that experience, institutional knowledge and hands-on leadership to Flamingle as the organization grows its reach and impact.