Suzanne Philemon serves as the Executive Director for The Cannon Foundation.  Suzanne was previously the Senior Program Officer. She joined the Foundation in 2016 as a Program Officer for higher education grants. Prior to the Foundation, Suzanne worked at Wingate University in Alumni Affairs and Marketing.  Suzanne earned both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Wingate University.

Email Suzanne 

Phone:  704.960.4843

Candice Kane joined The Cannon Charitable Interests in 2019 and serves as the primary contact for the Charles A. Cannon and Hayes Trusts. Prior to the Foundation, Candice worked at Wingate University as the Director of Annual Giving. Candice earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and marketing from Wingate University.

Email Candice

Phone:  704.960.4841

Sarah Dorsett Coe joined The Cannon Foundation in 2021 and serves as a Program Officer.  Sarah brings to the Foundation professional experiences from the non-profit sector including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where she served as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the West Coast Division, and the American Red Cross, where she most recently served as the Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations and from the for-profit sector. 

Email Sarah

Phone: 704-960-4846

Kara King joined The Cannon Foundation as a Program Officer in May 2022. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kara served as the Executive Director for The Academic Learning Center that partnered with Cabarrus County, Kannapolis City Schools and United Way to develop and deliver tutoring services to 12 identified Title I Schools. Kara earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from Presbyterian College.

Email Kara

Phone: 704.960.4821

Jennifer Ritchie joined The Cannon Foundation in 2012. Jennifer serves as the Administrative Officer and also provides support to the Board of Directors and staff. Prior to joining the Foundation, Jennifer worked for a health department and a federally qualified health center.

Email Jennifer

Phone:  704.786.8216

Monica Heyward joined The Cannon Foundation as a Program Associate in May 2022.  Monica brings to the Foundation professional experiences from the non-profit sector including career services, mental health, disabilities, and community partnerships/parent engagement.  Most recently, Monica served as a Career Consultant for the N.C. Department of Commerce, and as an Employment Services Specialist Senior for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services.

Monica serves as the primary contact for any inquiry form questions.

Email Monica

Phone: 704.960.4840

Kara Flieger joined The Cannon Foundation in March 2022 as a Program Associate. Kara brings to the Foundation professional experiences as a fourth-grade team leader and academic teacher at a Title I elementary school. Kara earned a Master’s and Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Pfeiffer University.

Kara serves as the primary contact for any portal user needs.

Email Kara

Phone:  704.960.4837

Samantha Oakley joined The Cannon Foundation in 2023 and serves as a Trust Program Officer. Sam works primarily with churches seeking funding. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sam worked in churches, schools, and social service organizations in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. She earned her undergraduate degree in social work at the University of the Cumberlands and her Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity degrees from Baylor University.

Email Samantha

704.786.8216

Annie Schiffmacher joined The Cannon Foundation in September 2025 and serves as a Trust Program Officer. Before joining the Foundation, Annie worked on the Nonprofit Sustainability team at Foundation For the Carolinas and as a grants manager for The Chapin Foundation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She earned her undergraduate degree in communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, minoring in sociology and urban youth and communities.

Email Annie

704-690-9343