Our Team

We truly care about our clients. Our team aims to be compassionate and knowledgeable while providing resources for you and your loved ones.

To learn more, give us a call at 919-525-6464.

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Carla Payne, CMC, MA

Owner/Certified Care Manager

Carla earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Master’s in counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2004 she became an Ombudsman serving as an advocate for those living in skilled care facilities. Carla also earned a graduate certificate in Gerontology from West Chester University and her National Certification in Care Management. Over the past 18 years she has provided direction, intervention, and solutions to families in need. In addition, she has served as a chapter board member and unit leader with The Aging Life Care Association in both Pa & NC. Carla is the 2023-24 President of the SE Chapter which consists of care managers within NC, SC, TN, GA, MS and AL. In 2019 Carla was recognized as the SE Chapter Member of the Year.

Carla remains involved in her local community with the Chamber of Commerce, she is a past board member and Co-education chair of the Seniors Information Group of Wake Forest (SING), board member of Fidelity NC Bank and is past president of the WF chapter of Women in Networking.

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Miriam Beck, MS, Care Manager serving Apex, Cary and surrounding area

Miriam Beck brings a wealth of experience and compassion to the Aging Care Matters team. With a Master’s degree in Recreation & Parks Management/Therapeutic Recreation and extensive certifications—including Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Licensed Recreational Therapist (LRT)—Miriam specializes in enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

With a career spanning leadership roles in eldercare, rehabilitation hospitals, and home-based senior care, Miriam is deeply committed to providing holistic, person-centered care. She has worked extensively in dementia care, senior placement, and therapeutic recreation, ensuring that clients maintain independence, engagement, and dignity throughout the aging process.

Her expertise includes geriatric care management, individualized therapeutic programming, and transition support for seniors moving into care communities. Miriam believes that every individual deserves to age with grace, and she strives to empower families with the resources and guidance needed to navigate caregiving challenges.

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Melissa Nobles, Executive Director Adult Day Centers

Aging Care Matters | Golden Horizons

Melissa Nobles—known to many as “Mel”—joined the Golden Horizons family in November 2024. With a strong foundation in executive leadership, she currently serves as the Executive Director of Aging Care Matters, a role she stepped into in March 2025, following the organization’s acquisition by Carla Payne.

Melissa brings a wealth of experience to the aging care space. Prior to her current role, she served as the CEO of her own company, where she also published her first book, The Six Step Method. Her leadership journey includes spearheading critical initiatives, such as leading the pilot program for The Trevor Project, the nation’s largest suicide prevention nonprofit. Under her guidance, a team of eight women helped launch the transition of the national suicide prevention hotline to the now widely recognized 988 platform.

In addition to her nonprofit impact, Melissa has held senior operations roles at several Fortune 500 companies, where she developed her reputation for strategic thinking, heart-led leadership, and building high-performing teams.

Melissa initially joined Golden Horizons to complete a contracted assessment, but quickly found more than a project—she found a family. The seniors at Golden Horizons became her passion, and her mission became clear: to be part of the movement that helps seniors stay in their homes as long and safely as possible.

Outside of work, Melissa is a devoted mom to her three daughters and a proud dog mom to Fran and Penelope.  She finds joy in traveling to the beach, relaxing in the sun, and cherishing time with her family.

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Sydney Payne, Wake Forest Day Center

From a young age, Sydney accompanied her mother to nursing homes, where they visited residents and provided much-needed love and compassion. This early experience inspired her passion for helping others and fostering meaningful connections.

She later pursued a degree in Mass Communications from UNC Asheville, where she developed a strong passion for film and storytelling. Alongside her education, she played an integral role in helping her mother open a day center, where she visited and supported clients, further strengthening her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.

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Stavie Thompson, Wake Forest Day Center

Meet Stavie Thompson, a Carolina girl with a heart as warm as her southern roots. Raised on a farm in Enfield, NC, surrounded by the love of her incredible family and cherished animals, Stavie’s upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for compassion and service. Her journey led her to Meredith College, where she pursued her passion for language, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in French.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Stavie’s life has been enriched by her love for music, particularly her lifelong dedication to playing the piano. Married and blessed with two children and two beloved grandchildren, Stavie’s family is the center of her world. Adding to her bustling household are three dogs, two cats, and three horses, each a testament to her unwavering affection for animals.

Stavie’s calling to serve others has been a constant thread throughout her life. From her early days as a vet assistant to her roles at Exporis and Marbles museums, she has always sought to uplift and educate those around her. In recent years, Stavie found fulfillment in caring for her aging parents, a journey that deepened her understanding of the needs of seniors.

Now, Stavie brings her wealth of experience and boundless compassion to Aging Care Matters Adult Day Center, where she embraces the opportunity to continue her life’s work of serving, loving, respecting, and protecting the vulnerable. With a fierce dedication to making a difference in the lives of others, Stavie Thompson exemplifies the heart and soul of our team.

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Kierra Igo, Golden Horizons and Aging Care Matters Durham

Kierra Igo comes to us with extensive experience in food service and caregiving, bringing both professional skill and deep compassion to her role. She is ServSafe certified and has served as a Kitchen Manager, where she led a team of 10 and ensure full compliance with all state food safety and health requirements. As she does now for the members of Golden Horizons

Kierra’s journey began as a volunteer at Golden Horizons, helping her mother—an experience that transformed into a calling. “I realized I had 19 grandparents,” she shares, a reflection of how quickly she connected with the residents. Inspired by dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Kierra has a passion for enriching the lives of the elderly, understanding how meaningful even small moments of care can be in their day-to-day lives.

When she’s not at work, Kierra enjoys art, traveling, and spending time with her girlfriend and their beloved dogs, Winnie and Roxie. Her energy, empathy, and creativity are a gift to both our team and those we serve.

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Morgan McCaslin, BS Wake Forest, Durham and Golden Horizons

Morgan McCaslin joined our team as a care management intern after graduating from NC State University with a Bachelor of Social Work in May 2025. A native of Denver, North Carolina, Morgan brings both heart and insight to her work with older adults.

Her passion for the field was shaped early on by watching her mother’s dedication as a nurse practitioner. Inspired by the deep care and support her mother provided to clients, Morgan felt called to pursue a career that allows her to offer the same comfort and advocacy to others.

Morgan is thoughtful, compassionate, and eager to continue learning in this field. Outside of her work, she enjoys playing music, writing, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her sister and friends.

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