Meet Our Team

Allison grew up in the heart of Berkeley County in the town of Moncks Corner. She has been in healthcare serving as a Director of Business Operations in skilled and assisted living for the past 15 years. Before changing her career path to long-term care, she worked for the State of South Carolina as an Economic Service Specialist for 14 years with the Department of Social Services and Department of Health and Human Services for Berkeley County. She began working for The Blake at Carnes Crossroads in May of 2017. She returned to college after a 24-year hiatus, which she had spent raising her daughters and building her career. Allison completed her degree in Human Resource Management in December of 2020. In May of 2021, she passed the State Board testing for Community Residential Care Administrator licensing. In June 2021, she landed in Panama City Beach, Florida, leaving behind the life she had always knows and bringing different challenges to her personal and professional life. For the past year, she worked with The Blake at Panama City Beach as the Director of Business Operations and mentor for company-wide DBO’s.

In March 2022, her road brought her back to Carnes Crossroads, where she serves as Executive Director. Since she was a teenager, she worked and served the residents of Berkeley County in one form or another, from volunteering for Salvation Army and United Way to helping with hurricane relief, so she is very excited to be back in Berkeley County to serve the residents of her home again!

Allison's most favorite part of this job is hearing the life stories and advice of the seniors, and their encouragement helps her to to keep doing what she is doing. Outside of working, she enjoys reading, trips with her daughters, and family time. She also makes household items, such as laundry detergent and soaps using her collection of essential oils. She has two grown, beautiful daughters. Her oldest followed in her footsteps and works for in serior living as well. Her youngest is working for a local corporation and finishing her BA, and she loves to listen to her sister and Allison talk about their industry.

Originally from Toms River, New Jersey, Mary-Bethany Covella has been in South Carolina for 9 years now! She has always had a southern heart, so it felt like home the day she moved here.Of her fifteen plus years of sales experience, nine of those years have been in assisted living. Working with seniors has always been a passion of hers. Ever since she could remember, her dad would take her to their local nursing home every Sunday to volunteer with the residents. By doing this, it opened her heart and eyes to the senior living industry and knew that one day, this would be her career.

When not at work, she loves to spend time with her 3 year old son, Ashton, and husband, John, while going to water parks, Bee City, or doing fun indoor activities. Her favourite quote is one from author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein, and she feels that it sums up her own passion for the senior living industry: “Allow your passion to become your purpose, and it will one day become your profession."

Jean was born and raised in New York, but she moved to South Carolina in orger to be closer to her dad. She received her bachelors degree from Marist College, a private college in New York. She worked for the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilties, running group homes for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Her favorite part of working with seniors is being a witness to the wisdom they bring and the humor they possess. She is happy to be a part of The Blake team.

When she isn't working, she likes spending time with her family and going to the beach. While moving from New York to South Carolina was a major adjustment for her, she really enjoys the warm weather and being close to the beach.

Dawn grew up in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She has over over 20 years of customer service, accounts receivable, data entry and medical billing experience. She loves working with our seniors, learning about their lives, and making them smile. Dawn loves the variety of different things she does at The Blake, including the paperwork and visiting with the residents. Although she is relatively new to working with seniors, it has been a life-changing experience for her, and she often brings home wonderful memories at the end of the work day.

When she is not working, she enjoys quality time with her family, especially her new granddaughter. She also enjoys reading and cross stitching.

Originally from Montreal Canada, Harlen came to the US 12 years ago where he has spent most of his life in sales as well as caring for others. Harlen is a former EMT and also spent time as a sales consultant selling software for the blind and visually impaired to government, education, healthcare, and financial facilities. His background also includes owning/operating his own in-home care business.

Harlen takes great joy seeing new residents rediscover their joy and find a sense of home after being welcomed into The Blake community.

Ayanna Norton was originally from San Angelo, Texas, but moved to South Carolina in 2009, where she has lived ever since. She has an Associates of Science and Health Care Management, and is also a Licensed Practical Nurse. In her career, she has primarily worked in the community health care and mental health fields. Her favorite part of working with seniors is being able to care for them at a time when they are not able to care for themselves, and working to add to their quality of life. She greatly appreciates the people at The Blake, having come to love and care for them, and loves being able to come back to work to see their smiling faces. For her, the people at The Blake are considered family. When she isn't working, she loves spending time with family, and she enjoys making candles and wax melts as a hobby. One day, she plans on going back to school so that she can start her own home health care business.

Sierra is originally from Hickory, North Carolina. She is a Certified Practitioner and has worked in senior living for four years: one year as a caregiver/med-tech, and three years as an Activity Director.

Her favorite part of working with seniors is that regardless of age, she can still bring joy to their days. "It’s fulfilling to know that our seniors can be encouraged to know they are never too old to have fun!" she says. "It’s truly like working with eighty or more of my own grandparents." Nothing makes Sierra happier than being able to bring a smile to the face of our residents. Her favorite part of working at The Blake is the family atmosphere. To her, it's as if the minute anyone walks in the door, the love pours out from the building.

When she is not working, Sierra likes to hang out with her friends. She enjoys karaoke, going to the pool, and partaking in anything that brings her laughter. If you know Sierra, laughing is something she is always doing!

Nadine Hawkins is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. She has spent over 17 years working with intellectually disabled consumers, and it has always been a passion of hers to help others.

Her favorite part of working with seniors is putting a smile on their faces and making a difference in their lives, and she loves being able to serve the residents as she works at The Blake.

Nadine enjoys relaxing, window shopping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is also a dedicated member of her local church, and serves in the ministry full time

Deidra is originally from Edgefield, South Carolina. She has been both a CNA for 22 years and a pharmacy tech for 10 years. Before being appointed Director of Recruitment and Retention, Deidra spent a year and a half as a Walk With Me Coordinator for The Blake.

Deidra’s favorite part of working with seniors is getting to know them individually and learning their history. Her favorite part of working at The Blake is the family atmosphere. The elderly hold a special place in Deidra’s heart. “It’s like I have many grandmothers and grandfathers that I get to help!” says Curry. “I love being able to help them all.”

When she’s not working, Deidra enjoys spending time with her family and pursuing her nursing degree. She aspires to, one day, be a traveling nurse.