Sabrena Lea

Sabrena Lea is an African American woman of faith who gratefully accepts her earthly assignment to live, move, and have her being, as one made in the image and likeness of the Creator. As such she has committed her life to take every opportunity available to her to share the relentless love of God and incomparable grace to everyone she encounters on her life’s journey. Whether that be preaching, teaching, talking, listening, praying, singing, meditating, or simply breathing. She is an ordained minister and serves as an Associate Pastor at the historic Providence Baptist Church in Greensboro.

Sabrena is credentialed as Specialist in Gerontology and has a career spanning more than thirty years that included professional responsibilities in human services, public administration, and long-term care. In December 2025, she retired with twenty-five years of service to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service’s Division of Health Benefits in Raleigh, NC where she served as Deputy Director for Long Term Services and Supports.

During her tenure at NC DHHS, she was recognized for her expertise in Medicaid policy and applied Gerontology and was invited to serve as panelist and keynote presenter in conferences across the nation. Rev. Lea has published articles, reports, and professional resources about issues related to Medicaid policy. She received a 2010 “Change Agent” Leadership Award presented by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce for her work as an advocate for older adults throughout the Piedmont Triad Region and state. She was honored to be a 2020 John R. Larkin Award nominee, which annually recognizes a state employee who exemplifies commitment to equality and justice in the workplace and improving local communities through volunteerism and community service. Lea is a 2021 Governor’s Awards for Excellence nominee for her and her team work on the LTSS Covid mitigation strategy for the state of North Carolina.  In January 2026 Lea received recognition from Governor Josh Stein who awarded her the Old North State Award given for meritorious service excellence to the citizens of North Carolina.

Lea has earned degrees in Biology from Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia and Gerontology from Lynchburg University in Lynchburg, Virginia; pursued a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina and completed post graduate studies in Leading and Managing Change at UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School and is certified in Agile Project Management.

Sabrena is an active member of the renowned Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a charter member of Alpha Delta Phi Omega Chapter in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a steadfast Pittsburgh Steeler football fan and in the off season, she enjoys traveling, entertaining friends in her home, and volunteering in the community.

Rev. Lea’s favorite scripture is Romans 8:37-39 NKJV which states… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.