Meet our staff

Tondrea Leach, LCSW

Executive Director

Tondrea Leach has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2011. Tondrea worked as a Victim Advocate on Camp LeJeune, worked with the Onslow County Department of Social Services for 17 years to gain her experience in Child Welfare, Adult Services and Economic Services. Tondrea is a social worker, parent educator, a North Carolina state trainer and an Adjunct Professor at UNCW. Tondrea enjoys serving her community through community events and fundraising at PEERS. Tondrea is a member of a local church, member of several community boards and committees in Onslow County. Her passion is working with families and

community partners in the hopes of teaching parenting skills, life skills, and the prevention or intervention of child abuse and neglect. Tondrea works with TASCO, Turning Adversity into Success for Children in Onslow, task force along side many city and county partners. She enjoys having the opportunity to share information with the community about Resiliency, Childhood Trauma, ACEs, and the Protective Factors.

Samantha Withrow

Office Manager

Samantha has been with us since June of 2021 as our processing assistant.

Samantha grew up at PEERS, between volunteering in childcare and fundraisers throughout the years. She has always wanted to make a meaningful impact in our community and she looks forward to doing that everyday at PEERS. Samantha has 4 amazing kids and a loving husband.

Katie LeMaire

Parenting Facilitator (Social Worker)

Katie has returned to PEERS after a few years out in the world.

Katie has experience in all program areas of PEERS; Childcare, APP and Parent Ed. She is trained in ALL of the parenting curricula's offered at PEERS and loves working with parents to improve their skills. Katie has practical knowledge and tons of on the job training through her family of 10 children, many foster children and many grandchildren.

Kristin David

TPPI Social Worker - Adolescent

Parenting Program

Graduated from Alvernia College in 2007 with a Bachelors in Social Work. Been a Social Worker for over 10 years. Kristin has a variety of experience. I was told my first day here that you would never leave PEERS and that cannot be more true. We have former employees, clients and interns come to volunteer or just to stop in and say hello. The most rewarding day at this job can be a simple thank you or when you realize your teen has become self sufficient and no longer needs to be enrolled.

Jinwon Pereira

CSSA, Adolescent Parenting Program

Jinwon is originally from South Korea. Jinwon has traveled to Japan, Africa, and Europe. This gave her a ton of life lessons and the ability to work with a variety of people with different cultures. She moved to United States 8 years ago when she was just 22 years old. Jinwon started working at PEERS September of 2020. She loves serving her community and helping teen parents and their children.

She has one child, whom she adores.

Nicole Kameenui

Toddler Room

Born and raised in Jacksonville, NC. I am the daughter to a retired Marine, and former Air Force spouse. I have 2 rambunctious boys, who are my entire world. My priority as your childrens teacher is to create a safe and healthy learning environment where your children can learn and play.
I am currently working on my Masters degree in Arts while working at PEERS.

Ally Schmidheiser

Infant Room

I am originally from Sneads Ferry, NC, I have grown up in the area my entire life. When I think of what I want for the future of my children and family, I think of love, safe, encouraged, feeling wanted and accepted. The most important thing to me is to make sure your children are safe but also learning and having fun when they are with me. I want all the children to make improvements and help them meet their milestones when they are with me.

Interns

Alison Nezbeth
Ericka Sullivan-Gamble
Brittni Bourdreaux
Paige Ruel