Regional team
Our regional team establishes and cultivates relationships with alumni, families and friends in support of Carolina. The team represents the breadth of the University’s fundraising priorities and collaborates with UNC-Chapel Hill schools, academic leaders and University leadership to advance the University’s mission and the philanthropic goals of our supporters.
Hunter Barrett ’11
Contact: hunter.barrett@unc.edu (919) 889-2829 (mobile)
Territories: Triad Region of North Carolina, Chicago
Hunter Barrett ’11 is the regional development officer representing Carolina in the Triad (including Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, North Carolina) and Chicago. He returned to Carolina after holding major gift officer positions at Vanderbilt University and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University. Barrett also previously worked in multiple areas of University Development at the beginning of his career including The Rams Club, Carolina Annual Giving and the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
Barrett is a triple Tar Heel and holds a bachelor's in history with a minor in coaching, a master's in teaching and a master's in sport administration. He enjoys playing golf, watching sports, cheering on the Tar Heels and spending time with his family. He lives in Huntersville, North Carolina with his wife, Caroline, and their two children, Hadley and Leyton.
Lizzie Cozart ’07
Contact: lizzie.cozart@unc.edu (828) 273-8226 (mobile)
Territories: Western North Carolina
Lizzie McKenna Cozart ’07 is a certified fundraising executive and Carolina alumna with more than a decade of development experience. Cozart’s position was created in 2019 as a hybrid role along with the Mountain Area Health Education Center, and she spent five years helping to grow the academic branch campus partnership, UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC. Starting in 2024, she deepened her focus with UNC-Chapel Hill by representing all philanthropic priorities in the Western North Carolina region, while continuing to support the growing health sciences partnerships in the region through the UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC branch campus.
Working with generous donors and funders to serve her home state and alma mater brings her tremendous joy and a powerful sense of purpose. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her family. Cozart lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband Ben, whom she met as an undergraduate at Carolina, and their children, Emma and Benji.
Kelly Elliott
Contact: kelly.elliott@unc.edu (503) 901-1500 (mobile)
Territories: Northern California / Bay Area, Denver, Pacific Northwest
Kelly Elliott is based in Portland, Oregon and serves as the senior regional development officer focusing on the Bay Area, Denver and Pacific Northwest. She is a seasoned fundraising and engagement professional with over 20 years of experience in development. Prior to joining UNC-Chapel Hill, Elliott spent over 10 years spearheading major gift fundraising initiatives and cultivating strategic partnerships with alumni and friends at the University of Oregon.
Elliott holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit management from Seattle University and a bachelor's in psychology from Willamette University. She and her husband, Jonah, are adjusting to life as empty nesters. They enjoy visiting their son, Tyson, a college student in Massachusetts, exploring New England and doting on their whippet, Beckett.
Becky Mitchell ’83
Contact: becky.mitchell@unc.edu (919) 962-9080 (office)
Territories: New York metro area; Charleston, South Carolina
Becky Mitchell ’83 is a senior regional development officer covering territories in the Northeast, specifically New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as the Charleston, South Carolina area. With over 30 years of experience in advancement, Mitchell has worked at large, complex research institutions and small, private liberal arts institutions such as University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Francisco, Cornell University and University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Mitchell’s career in higher education has included work in admissions and alumni relations before transitioning to fundraising.
Before joining the regional team in 2017, Mitchell worked as an associate dean of development at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University and as the North American development manager for the University of St. Andrews. Mitchell holds a bachelor's in journalism and communications from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Jason Moon ’94
Contact: jason_moon@unc.edu (919) 818-0068 (mobile)
Territories: Charlotte, North Carolina; Southern California; Texas
Jason Moon ’94 is the regional development officer for Charlotte, North Carolina, Southern California and Texas. Prior to joining the UNC-Chapel Hill regional development team, Moon served as senior director of development at UNC Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business as well as the senior director of development at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School for more than 10 years. He has also served as director of medical alumni development at the UNC Health Foundation. Moon is a proud Carolina alumnus, huge Tar Heel sports fan and resides in Chapel Hill with spouse, Tara, and son, Davis.
Katie Ray Pratson ’11
Contact: katieray.pratson@unc.edu (919) 604-3131 (mobile)
Territories: Washington D.C.; Raleigh, North Carolina; Virginia; Maryland; Delaware; and Pennsylvania
Katie Ray Pratson ’11 is the senior regional development officer representing Carolina in Raleigh, North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C. and the states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. She also leads the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council that was established in 2002. Previously, Pratson was an associate director of development at the UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation. Prior to returning to Carolina, she held positions in development, international advancement and global education at East Carolina University and the George Washington University.
Pratson holds a bachelor's in journalism from the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media and a master's in education and human development from the George Washington University. She has received grants from the Japan-U.S. and Fulbright Commissions to study advancement and higher education trends globally. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and children.
Anna Claire Riggins ’20
Contact: annaclaire.riggins@unc.edu (919) 962-2546 (office)
Anna Claire Riggins ’20 is the regional programs associate. She works closely with the regional programs office manager to support the operations, administration and communications for the team.
Riggins holds a bachelor's in human development and family science from UNC-Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the regional team in March 2025, Riggins worked as an English as a foreign language teacher in Mallorca, Spain. She enjoys traveling, baking and attending various Carolina sporting events.