Leadership Team
Rev. Bruce E. Stanley, President / CEO
Rev. Bruce Stanley joined Methodist Home for Children as President / CEO in 2006. He serves on the Governor’s Crime Commission as chair of the Juvenile Justice Planning Committee and member of the Special Committee on School Safety.
Before joining MHC, Bruce was pastor at six North Carolina churches, serving most recently as senior pastor for Millbrook United Methodist Church in Raleigh. He served also as Field Education Director for Duke Divinity School, responsible for developing leaders for the local and global church and communities. Bruce was ordained in the United Presbyterian Church USA in 1982 and transferred to the United Methodist Church in 1985. He spent several years as Associate Director for the N.C. Conference Council of Ministries for Mission and Evangelism.
Bruce holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, from West Virginia University.
Jessica Lang, Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer
Jessica Lang joined us in 2024 with 20 years of finance and leadership experience. As Vice President of Finance and CFO, she is responsible for our Accounting and Finance systems, Risk Management, and Information Technology services. Jessica invested 10 years of her career in the Cape Fear Valley Health System before coming to MHC. As Chief Financial Officer for the Harnett Health System, managed by Cape Fear Valley, she served on the system’s executive team and oversaw the Finance, Health Information Systems, and Procurement teams. She worked two years as Corporate Controller at Capitol Broadcasting prior to joining MHC.
Jessica is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from East Carolina University.
Ben Sanders, Vice President of Programs
Ben Sanders began his work with Methodist Home for Children in 1994, when he and his wife, Lisa, became house parents for a co-educational facility serving juvenile offenders. This work inspired him to work in other service areas in positions ranging from direct care for children and families to Quality Improvement. Ben has served as Vice President of Programs since 2003. He oversees the agency’s direct care services, and he’s a primary developer of MHC’s model of care (Value Based Therapeutic Environment).
Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke and a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from Appalachian State University.
Ellen Scarborough, Vice President of Program Development and Contracts
Ellen Scarborough came to Methodist Home for Children in 1991 as a teaching parent, along with her husband, Marty. She joined the leadership team in 2024 with 33 years of service. As Senior Director of Program Development, Ellen built the revenue-generating Consultation and Program Development department that coaches other agencies through the Teaching Family Association accreditation process, and she oversaw Quality Improvement for all MHC departments. Her deep understanding of our operations is a product of years working in programs – notably in Foster Care, Residential Services, and Family-Based Services. In October 2024, she won the Montrose Wolf award, the highest honor given by the international Teaching-Family Association.
Ellen earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Campbell University.
Polly Willis, Vice President of Advancement
Polly Willis has served the nonprofit community as an accomplished fundraising professional and administrator, working in the fields of human services, health, and international relations. She started at Methodist Home for Children as Director of Development in 2001 and joined the leadership team as Vice President of Advancement in 2003. Prior to joining MHC, Polly served as Director of Development with Prevent Blindness NC and as Director of Field Services for March of Dimes, where she specialized in staff and board development and event management.
Polly earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and human services administration from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.