Exploring Careers in Health & Human Services Panel

Join us for an engaging alumni and professional panel featuring UNC Charlotte graduates and healthcare leaders who are making an impact across public health, social work, clinical care, and healthcare administration.

Panelists will share their unique career journeys — including non-linear paths, advanced education decisions, and how they navigated transitions across specialties and sectors. Students will gain insight into roles in public health, healthcare systems management, social services, clinical exercise physiology, and emerging virtual healthcare models.

Featured Panelists:

• Darnisha Pulley – Assistant Director, Center for Wellness Promotion, UNC Charlotte (B.S. Public Health ’19)
  Darnisha earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UNC Charlotte and her Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. She has experience in health education, promotion, and school social work, working with school-age youth and college students. In her current role, she focuses on substance use prevention for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.


• Kisha Powell – Office Coordinator, Atrium Health (Health Systems Management ’24)
  A proud UNC Charlotte alumna, Kisha began her healthcare journey at 16 after earning her CNA certification. Her career spans hospitals, ambulatory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and public health, including service with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. With experience across oncology, neurology, cardiology, maternal fetal medicine, and more, Kisha brings a 360-degree view of healthcare delivery. She is passionate about health equity, leadership development, and mentoring students pursuing meaningful healthcare careers.


• Ellanesha Washington – Social Worker III, Mecklenburg County Adult Protective Services (MSW '25)
  Ellanesha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dalton State University and her Master of Social Work from UNC Charlotte (May 2025). She currently works for Mecklenburg County in Adult Protective Services (APS), where she assesses reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, collaborates with community partners, and connects adults to critical support services and resources. Her work focuses on advocacy, protection, and strengthening community systems for vulnerable populations.


• Amelia Alameno – Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Kivo Health & Novant Health (M.S. Kinesiology ’23)
  Originally graduating in finance, Amelia pivoted to healthcare after discovering her passion for helping others. She returned to school during COVID to earn her Master’s in Kinesiology and has worked across multiple specialties, ultimately finding her niche in pulmonary rehabilitation. She now works in both traditional clinical settings and with an AI-powered virtual rehab and care program expanding access to treatment.

This panel is ideal for students interested in public health, social work, healthcare administration, clinical careers, and health innovation. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of diverse pathways within healthcare and practical insight into building impactful careers that prioritize service, equity, and patient-centered care.

This event is in partnership with the College of Health and Human Services.

This event is part of the Healthcare | Science | Research (HSR) Career Community Week (March 16–20, 2026)