Leadership team
InReach’s leadership team represents talent and tenure. Collectively, the senior leaders have over 175 years of expertise serving individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Each individual is a subject matter expert in their arena and is recognized by others as being the ‘best of the best’.
Lori A. Gougeon
President | CEO
Lori A. Gougeon
President | CEO
Lori began her career with InReach in 1990 as its third Executive Director. Currently, she oversees nearly 600 staff members and an annual budget of $30 million dollars.
Originally from Michigan, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University.
Lori is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte, Class 17. She was honored by the Mecklenburg Times as one of the 2010 Most Influential Women in Charlotte.
She is a firm believer in giving back to our community. Her work has included: Board of Directors of NC Providers’ Council and Hinds Feet Farm, former President and current Treasurer of the Mecklenburg Provider Network, and current board member for Lake Norman Tennis Foundation.
Lori and her husband live in Huntersville and have two children, two grandchildren, and two grand dogs.
- Email:lgougen@inreachnc.org
Chris Brigman
Chief Program Officer
Chris Brigman
Chief Program Officer
Chris joined InReach in 1992 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer. Chris earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Western Carolina University and a B. S. in Biology from UNC-Charlotte. He also earned a Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from Central Piedmont Community College.
- Email:cbrigman@inreachnc.org
Deanna Dycus
Chief Financial Officer
Kathi Knier
Chief Development Officer
Kathi Knier
Chief Development Officer
Kathi has worked for InReach since 2009. In her position, she is responsible for grant writing, special events, coordination of volunteers, and the Speaker’s Bureau. She was previously the Development Director for the Junior League of Charlotte and the Executive Director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Athletic League.
Kathi is a past President of the Junior League of Charlotte, past President of Children’s Theatre’s Auxiliary, and is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte, Class 19. She has served as a Trustee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, and as a Board member of Crisis Assistance Ministry, the Johnston YMCA, Kid’s Voting, and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She has volunteered at Charlotte Catholic High School and as a member of the Tithing Committee at St. Gabriel Catholic Church.
She earned a B. S. in Business from Shepherd University, and has earned Financial Securities licenses 7 and 63. She has a certificate in grant writing from The Grantsmanship Center.
- Email:kknier@inreachnc.org
Todd Drye
Chief Human Resource Officer
Todd Drye
Chief Human Resource Officer
Chris joined InReach in 1992 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer. Chris earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Western Carolina University and a B. S. in Biology from UNC-Charlotte. He also earned a Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from Central Piedmont Community College.
- Email:tdrye@inreachnc.org
TERRI-LYNN FITE
Chief Program Officer
TERRI-LYNN FITE
Chief Program Officer
Terri-Lynn has worked for InReach since 2007. Terri-Lynn Fite is the Chief Program Officer. She oversees the Community Outreach Dept) Innovations & I option), Tailored Care Management Dept and Operations for InReach. She has a BSW in Social work from Ball State University – Muncie Indiana.
Her family fosters animals with the Humane Society.
- Email:tfite@inreachnc.org

