Brittney Martin Mays

Director and Nature Guide; Board President

Raised one mile up the road, Brittney's roots go deep in the Sandhills of NC. She loves spending time with her husband and two children outdoors and introducing others to the beauty of this little corner of the universe.  Want to learn more a bit more about what inspired the launch of Wander & Root? Click here!

Brittney has 18+ years of experience in education, non-profit management, and early childhood development. She started her career as a licensed elementary school teacher with Teach For America, then later earned her Masters of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from UNC Chapel Hill, a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University, and certification in CPR/First Aid through the American Red Cross. Prior to founding Wander & Root, Brittney was the Assistant Director at Partners for Children & Families in Carthage, NC (2014-2021); Ready Schools Specialist at Down East Partnership for Children in Rocky Mount, NC (2011-2014); fourth grade teacher at Princeville Montessori School (2009-2011); and Community Educator at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center (2006-2009). 

Maegan Bean

Nature Guide

Maegan is a native of Moore County and has been working alongside children and families for over ten years. Maegan has a lifelong love of the outdoors, spending many a childhood weekend camping, hiking, and exploring the wilds of her beloved home state. She is now raising two wildling boys and hopes to pass that love along to them as well. 

Maegan’s background is with young toddlers, working alongside parents in both a traditional early childhood setting and in weekly outdoor classes (Tinkergarten) so she is especially excited to help our smallest explorers navigate the new terrain of independence and community. 

Olivia MacKrell

Natural Leaders Club Intern

Olivia was born in South Carolina but spent a large portion of her elementary years in Texas. She moved to North Carolina in the summer of 2022 and feels more at home here than anywhere else she has lived. Olivia is a motivated homeschooler, currently in the seventh grade. She hopes to graduate early so that she can jump into her college degree in either political science or education. Olivia also plans to have a homestead in the mountains of North Carolina.

Olivia enjoys being outside doing all the things; hiking, gardening, foraging, camping and playing badminton. When she is not outside, you will find her curled up with a book, knitting, spending time with her sisters, or playing cards with family.

DeVault Clevenger

Board Chair; Clinical Director at Pinnacle Family Services 

DeVault has 40+ years in the human services field.  DeVault has managed the Family Services Section at Sandhills LME, co-owned a successful behavioral health company and now oversees clinical operations at Pinnacle Family Services.  DeVault developed the Pinnacle Family Services’ Fostering Solutions Treatment Model for foster children and has trained at state and national conferences.  DeVault promotes Trauma and Resiliency and produces the weekly Trauma and Resiliency Trauma TIPs newsletter.

DeVault is highly interested in all things GARDENING and believes in the healing power of being outside in nature and getting your hands fabulously dirty in the earth’s soil. 

Tania Cress

Board Vice-Chair; Director at My Little World Family Child Care Home

Born and raised in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. Mexico, Tania always knew she wanted to be a mom and knew she had tremendous love for children. She and her husband have four awesome daughters and they enjoy spending as much time with them as they can.  Tania first started serving children while working as an interpreter for the Children's Developmental Services Agency for Spanish speaking families in 2003. In 2005 she started working for First Health Dental Office serving children as a front desk representative and interpreter for Spanish speaking families and she has been working for First Health for more than 15 years now. In 2006 she graduated from SCC with her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and in 2009 Tania opened My Little World FCCH and absolutely loves her job, her children, and the families. 

Alita Hamilton

Board Treasurer; Director at Christ Way Deliverance Child Development Center

Bio coming soon!