Luis Hernandez
Owner and CEO of Ryan’s Place Email: luis@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 101
Luis Hernandez is the owner and CEO of Ryan’s Place. The agency’s mission is deeply tied to his love for the health and human services field and the people he serves. Luis wants every person he works with to feel valued, empowered, and inspired to have an E.P.I.C approach to life.
Laura Lee
President of Ryan’s Place Email: laura@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 102
Laura Lee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Queens University of Charlotte with a degree in English Creative Writing, English Literature, and Anthropology/Ethnography. After college, Laura worked in private early education services. She worked as a caregiver part-time, and this led to her first QP job at a local provider agency. After many years of working for other providers, Laura crossed paths with Luis Hernandez. She has had the honor of watching Ryan’s Place grow from a dream to what it is today. Laura is passionate about advocacy, education, and rights. She loves policies and procedures, but most of all, she is dedicated to building this vision into a beautiful, thriving, visible community of individuals, families, and caregivers. When she is not working, Laura loves spending time with Luis, their children, and their dogs. She loves to garden, write, sing, and do yoga.
Andrew Devore
Chief Financial Officer Email: andrew@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 109
I serve as Chief Financial Officer at Ryan’s Place, where each day is a blessing to work. A lot of what I do is behind the scenes, but on a week-to-week basis, I run payroll for our 25+ admins and 250+ DSPs. In the background, I manage our accounting, financial reporting, and tax compliance, along with various other projects that may come up. Ryan’s Place is ever-growing, and my skill set is needed in a variety of places along the way. In my free time, I really enjoy spending time with family and friends, usually on a golf course, and of course, spending quality time with my dog Boa.
Allan Azali
Chief Operations Officer/QPEmail: allan@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 103
Allan Azali the Chief Operations Officer at Ryan’s Place LLC. I work with and support all of the members, families, and staff with day to day operational management of the agency. Whether this pertains to community outreach, conflict resolution, contractual/authorization concerns, or stepping in for emergency Direct Support to individuals I wear many hats and am always open to finding ways to improve services and opportunities for everyone involved with the agency.
Priscilla Perez
Executive Assistant to CEO, Luis Hernandez Email: Priscilla@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 100
Twenty-five years of experience assisting high-level management executives and office administration.
BA in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude).
Experience as a Special Education Facilitator, Disaster Case Management Team Leader, organizational skills, event planning, and customer service oriented. Fully bilingual (English and Spanish).
Laura Lassiter
Operations AssistantEmail: laural@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 125
Laura Lassiter is our Operations Assistant in the afternoon and has a background in customer service and administration as well as healing arts. She has an Associates Degree from CPCC. She has been with Ryan’s Place since 2023. You can find her doing anything from answering phones, creating flyers, managing our website content and social media or just being a kind face at the front desk. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, or you can catch her at a concert or show around town.
Whitney Taylor
Forensic Compliance OfficerEmail: Whitney@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 106
With over 20 years in the IDD field, Whitney Taylor brings expertise and a steady hand to billing and finance. As Forensic Compliance Officer at Ryan’s Place, she leads the Billing and EVV team with precision, accountability, and a touch of dry humor. Known for her sharp eye and problem-solving skills, Whitney excels at turning billing chaos into order. Her motto? “Life is short but sweet for certain”—a mindset she brings to work every day: focused, optimistic, and always ready to spot the silver lining (or the misplaced decimal point).
Peter Rooney
Executive Director/QPEmail: peter@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 104
Peter is the Executive Director at Ryan’s Place. He started in the Health and Human Services field as a Direct Support Professional in 2009. Peter has been fortunate to have been mentored by numerous subject matter experts during his career and excels in his ability to advocate for those with special needs through research and diplomacy. Peter is a Dual Diagnosis Specialist through the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD-DDS) and Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). In addition to his professional competencies, Peter fights crime in the dark alleys of Charlotte, NC, keeping his family safe from ne’er-do wells.
Megan Keoboupha
Executive Director/QPEmail: megan@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 105
Megan is the Vice Operations Officer at Ryan’s Place. She started her career in the health and human services field as a direct support professional in 2011 after finishing her Bachelors in Psychology. Megan worked in healthcare for 8 years prior to coming back to the IDD services field after obtaining her Masters in Healthcare Administration. Megan is committed to refining processes and ensuring our agency’s efficiency and effectiveness so we are able to provide the best opportunities for our members and community. She is a strong advocate for our members and ensuring they have the services needed and supporting families throughout processes of the Innovations Waiver.
Brandi Boyd
HR DirectorEmail: brandi@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 108
Hello my name is Brandi Boyd, BSWQP. I joined Ryan’s Place team in October of 2022. Thus far, this experience has been a gratifying journey.
I’m currently the HR Director at Ryan’s Place, with a Bachelor’s of Social Work. I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. I have a driven heart to cater to underserved populations. My experiences diversified from early childhood education to the human service field, working with disabled individuals. I served with Senior Services, Inc, and Gramercy Research Project in Winston-Salem, NC. The past few years have been opportunities to enhance my knowledge and skill set to better serve my desired population. This journey thus far has been a gratifying experience. I plan to continue to increase my skillset and knowledge alongside helping Ryan’s Place grow.
Shone Williams
Training/Development DirectorEmail: shone@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 118
Shone’ Williams, BA QP CMC is the Training and Development Director at Ryan’s Place since 2023. Shone’ began her career in the Health and Human Services field as a Mental Health Associate Professional in 2007, after graduating with a BA Psychology Degree.
With a passion to help others, Shone’ has continued to serve in the Health and Human Services field, taking on several roles such as: MH Clinical Director, Job Coach for Deaf and Blind individuals, Office Program Director, Day Program Coordinator, I/DD Qualified Professional, HR Associate, and a Mecklenburg County Care Coordinator.
With a vibrant personality and an unforgettable presence, Shone’ has always had a passion to pass on her knowledge to others in the I/DD field and has found her purpose currently serving as a Training and Development Director and Event Manager at Ryan’s Place.
At Ryan’s Place, Shone’ continues to be an advocate for people with disabilities and their right to have choices in who they are, build healthy relationships, and overall the right love. Shone’s deep commitment advocating for individual rights has inspired the creation of the current Healthy Relationships Program called Lovers and Friends.
Susana Menendez
Referral and Enrollment Director Email: susana@ryansplaceclt.com Ext: 117
Hi, my name is Susana Menendez. I am the Referral and Enrollment Director at Ryan’s Place. I oversee the screening of all incoming referrals. Originally from Cuba, I have been working in this field since 2019.
I am passionate about providing help, support, and education to those who need it. What I love most about my career is the positive impact and the difference we make in the lives of our members and their families daily.
My skills include: Direct Support Professional, Human Resources, Billing, Alternative Family Living, and my current role as Referral Director.
