Greg Winkler

Greg Winkler is an area manager for the commercial banking team at Pinnacle Financial Partners based in Raleigh.

Winkler began his banking career in 1990 with nearly 30 years spent at Wells Fargo. Before joining Pinnacle in 2019, he served as a business banking manager and as a market president in the Triangle.

Winkler specializes in helping integrate acquired banks and leading change management efforts to improve production and performance. He helped lead two successful integrations in California before coming to Raleigh in 2011 to help integrate Wachovia into Wells Fargo. Much of his success in that work was centered on recruiting, coaching and retaining top talent and helping drive market expansions.

Winkler earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and master’s degree from Taylor University. He is also licensed as a CPA in North Carolina. He is a past board chair of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and serves as the current board chair for United Way of the Greater Triangle. He also serves on the Triangle Family Services Advisory Board.

Amy Strecker

Amy Strecker serves as Duke Energy’s Stakeholder Philanthropy Manager overseeing the Duke Energy Foundation’s grantmaking in North Carolina. Amy is also responsible for Duke Energy’s sports marketing in the Triangle and Triad regions. Previously, she worked on the company’s Corporate Communications and Local Government and Community Relations teams. Amy joined the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government in 2013 as an adjunct instructor with the Master of Public Administration program. She teaches Professional Communications for the program and leads the course’s adjunct teaching team. She has also worked in the public policy arena, focusing on affordable higher education. Amy started her career with Teach for America as an English teacher in Warren County, North Carolina. Strecker earned a BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. Amy serves on the governing boards of the North Carolina Theatre and Marbles Kids Museum. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her wife, Emmy, and their four-legged children, Colby and Millie.

Wendell Davis

Wendell M. Davis is the County Manager for Durham County, North Carolina. Durham is regarded among the most progressive, innovative, and rapidly growing communities in the southeast and one of 66 counties in the nation that enjoys a double AAA bond rating.

As the chief executive officer for county government operations, Wendell manages a half-billion dollar budget and approximately 2,000 employees. At present, he is leading his organization through a major transformation by introducing a strategic approach for governance with metrics and data as the principal drivers for decision making. Most recently, under his leadership, Durham County leads the way as the only county in the southeastern United States that has implemented a $15 per hour livable wage and paid parental leave.

Jim Gibson

Jim Gibson is executive vice president and chief operating officer, responsible for helping to drive strategy and operational excellence for RTS’s domestic and international-based businesses. He oversees the leadership of RTI India and the Social, Statistical, and Environmental Sciences Group. In addition, Mr Gibson oversees Corporate Facilities Strategic Services, Quality and Regulatory Affairs and RTI’s Enterprise Risk Management program. Mr. Gibson also leads RTI’s focus on University Collaborations and provides executive support to RTI’s Board of Governors University Research Collaboration Committee. He is responsible for developing longrange plans and supporting investments for RTI. Mr. Gibson joined RTI as chief financial officer in 2000 and served as executive vice president of the Engineering and Technology Unit (ETU) from 2009 to 2013 and as interim leader of Discovery and Analytical Sciences (DAS) in 2012. In 2013, he led the combination of ETU and DAS as the Discovery Science Technology group, and from 2014 through 2020 provided executive leadership oversight over RTI’s Health Solutions business. In addition to his active participation in many professional associations, Mr. Gibson is an advisory board member of Western Governors University and a board member of the United Way of the Greater Triangle.

Jay Irby

Jay Irby is Triangle Area Executive for First Citizens Bank. He manages a network of 31 branches in Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties and the bank’s business and retail banking efforts in those markets. He previously served as the bank’s Triangle area manager of business banking and is based in Raleigh.

A Raleigh native, Jay graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined First Citizens in late 2014 and has more than 20 years of banking experience.

In the community, Irby is active in the Greater Raleigh Chamber and has served as chair for the First Citizens United Way campaign. He recently served as treasurer and as a board member for the Triangle Aphasia Project. In addition, he is a member of the Regional Transportation Alliance and serves as the chair of its rapid research committee. He is also an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Byron Kirkland

A corporate and securities lawyer for over 30 years, Byron Kirkland has extensive experience in private equity and venture capital transactions; domestic and international mergers and acquisitions; and general corporate law and securities matters. He represents public and private companies across diverse industry sectors including information technology, clean technology, medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, communications and manufacturing.

Byron also has an active venture capital and private equity fund practice, representing venture capital and private equity funds. He regularly assists funds with their portfolio company investments, acquisitions and fund formation matters.

Additionally, Byron is the leader of the Firm’s Private Equity practice group, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Corporate team and is Chair of the Firm’s Policy and Planning Committee.

Mike Murdy

Linda Shropshire Eudy

Linda Shropshire Eudy is a North Carolina native, hailing from the Queen City – Charlotte. She came to the Triangle in 1984 to attend North Carolina State University and with the exception of brief stints in Boca Raton, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, the Triangle area has been home for over 30 years.

Currently, Linda lives in Durham and is the Global Lead for Human Rights at Cisco Systems. When asked how a low-tech person like herself works for one of the largest high-tech companies in the world Linda responds, “There are enough techies to go around. What I bring to the table is an authentic voice, a global perspective, and a clear understanding of the human condition.”

While she is enthused about her work, nothing gives Linda more joy than being mother to amazing daughters, Taylor (21) a graduating senior at Temple University and Sydney (18) a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh. Linda holds a B.A.in International Relations and Business from North Carolina State University and also studied Italian language and culture at the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy.

She serves on the board of directors for Book Harvest and she is former members of both the North Carolina Childcare Commission and the Durham Public Arts Advisory Committee. When not working, volunteering, and performing the duties of “Mother-in-Chief” Linda enjoys spending time at the ocean, the Durham Farmer’s Market, reading, drinking great coffee, cooking, and walks with her favorite miniature schnauzer, Kobe Jack.

Alexandra Zagbayou

Alexandra is the Executive Director of Student U, a community organization that uses the power of education, leadership and advocacy to build a more just and equitable Durham. As the child of a first generation college student, she believes education has the power to be a revolutionary tool for people and communities can leverage to create a just and equitable world. To act on those beliefs, she has worked in partnerships with students, parents and the Durham community at Student U for the past decade. She dreams of a world where organizations like Student U no longer exist and every person is able to reach his or her full potential because our systems and institutions are just and equitable. Until that vision is reached, she is thankful to do work that is meaningful, urgent and necessary alongside an incredible personal and professional community. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Board member of the following institutions: Hill Learning Center- Board of Directors, The Beautiful Project- Board of Directors, Dataworks- Board of Directors.

Anne Howard

Anne Howard was most recently a Director in the Grant Thornton National Financial Services practice with significant regulatory compliance, operational, internal audit, and risk management experience for financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions.  Previously, she served as an Experience Manager within Grant Thornton.

Anne has more than 30 years of internal audit and regulatory compliance experience, including extensive BSA/AML/OFAC experience. She has held various compliance and internal audit positions in small, moderate, and large financial services organizations and has provided compliance and advisory services in the governance, risk, and compliance space.

Anthony Fassino

Anthony (Tony) Fassino is a vice president of Caterpillar Inc. with responsibility for the Building Construction Products Division. In this role he provides global leadership over Caterpillar’s line of small, versatile construction machines and work tools. The Building Construction Products Division’s footprint spans 8 countries today with a workforce of more than 7,000.

Fassino joined Caterpillar in 1996 and has held a variety of positions around the world, including several sales and technical field assignments in the U.S. and Canada. Following roles as a 6 Sigma Black Belt in the North America Commercial Division, he became the New Product Introduction (NPI) manager for the excavator product line in Akashi, Japan. In more recent roles, Fassino led the Eastern U.S. Region Distribution Services team and then served as director of Caterpillar’s global Forest Products business.

Fassino currently serves as a Caterpillar representative on the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Sponsors Board and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Construction Equipment Sector Board. Fassino earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University and is a graduate of Caterpillar’s “Digging Deep” executive development program offered through Duke University.

Autrice Campbell-Long

Autrice Campbell Long is Vice President and Community Development Manager for Truist Bank. She is responsible for CRA and Community Development initiatives in the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina Regions.

Autrice’s career in the Financial Services industry and Economic Development spans more than 40 years. Prior to her move to the Triangle in 2006, she served at the Workforce Development Manager for the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development in Hampton, Virginia.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Autrice is a member and former Board Chair of the Families Moving Forward and the NC Housing Coalition. Autrice is a graduate of Old Dominion University and a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She and her husband Donald live in Durham.

Clayton Dorn

Upon earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Clayton began his tenure in management at UPS. In his 33 years as an UPSer, he has held various management positions. Currently, he is the Carolina Transportation Training Manager for North and South Carolina. Clayton has a passion for helping others and serves the community at the ground level and through board memberships. He is an active board member of the following organizations: United Way of the Greater Triangle, Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina, The American Red Cross, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, School to Career, Global Health Connections International and various committees like Millbrook High School and Wake Forest High School Business Alliance Committees. Additionally, Clayton enjoys volunteering at several nonprofits, including The Assistance League of the Triangle, Habitat for Humanity, Raleigh Rescue Mission and the Raleigh Food Bank.

David Ellis

The Wake County Board of Commissioners named David Ellis county manager on Feb. 12, 2018. In this role, he oversees a $1.47 million budget and manages county departments that serve Wake’s 1.1 million residents. Ellis started his tenure with Wake County in February 2015 when he accepted a deputy county manager position. In that role, he oversaw several departments, including Human Services, Community Services and Environmental Services. He most recently served as interim county manager.

Prior to coming to Wake County, Ellis served as assistant city manager in Charlottesville, Virginia, for three years. He also held positions in Fairfax County, Virginia, including assistant to the county executive, assistant director of Human Services, and manager of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Department of Code Compliance.
Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. He also holds the distinction of credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association. In addition, Ellis successfully completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program in 2017.

Ellis is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and serves on the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Board as well as the Board of the United Way of the Greater Triangle.

David Haines

Dave serves as the Raleigh Managing Partner and is responsible for the oversight of more than 750 professionals in the Research Triangle Region.  He drives client and business growth to enhance the strategic direction and delivery of the full breadth of Deloitte services to the North Carolina market.

Dave has been with Deloitte & Touche since 1995, working in the San Diego, New York, and Charlotte offices before relocating to Raleigh. In addition to his leadership role, he provides audit and risk services to top life sciences and healthcare clients, and has extensive experience leading engagement teams in all aspects of integrated financial statement and internal controls audits, including the coordination of foreign member firms involved in the audits of public companies with global operations. He also has significant experience with carve-out financial statements, private equity buy-outs, predecessor/successor accounting and reporting issues, and spin-offs. He currently serves as the lead partner for Syneos Health, PPD, PAREXEL International, and the US operations of GlaxoSmithKline.

Outside of Deloitte, Dave is a trustee of the North Carolina Symphony and is a board member of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. He previously was a board member of the Community Building Initiative, a non-profit organization in Charlotte, NC focused on equity and inclusion. He is a graduate of San Diego State University, is a registered CPA in California and North Carolina, and is married with two teenage boys.

David Reese

David Reese, MBA, is the President and CEO of the Durham Children’s Initiative (DCI). David has over 25 years of experience in non-profit operations and leadership development, with particular expertise in community development and aligning systems and partners to improve outcomes for families and children and youth. Throughout his career, David has been passionate about creating opportunities for low-wealth families and developing ecosystems in which families, children, and youth can thrive. He believes that complex issues such as poverty, health, social mobility, and food security require holistic, collective, and community-based solutions. David has led the Durham Children’s Initiative (DCI) through incredible growth since he joined the organization as its first (and only) President and CEO in 2010. Under his leadership, the Durham Children’s Initiative has raised nearly $15 million dollars in support of families and children in Durham, expanded from a team of 2 to 25 (with over 50 staff seasonally), and has served over 2,000 young people.

Delores Bailey

Delores joined the EmPOWERment, Inc. staff as Community Organizer in 2002. She soon became Associate Director in charge of organizing, rental properties, and marketing. In May 2005 she became Executive Director. During her time in this role, Ms. Bailey has provided oversight of EmPOWERment Inc. as it has become one of the largest nonprofit property owners of affordable rental units in Orange County, NC.  In January 2019, the Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee recognized Ms. Bailey for her consistent and powerful impact on the community she serves by naming her as their first King Leader Award recipient.

Dr. Peter Morris

Dr. Peter J. Morris is the Executive Director of Urban Ministries of Wake County, a nondenominational nonprofit with programs providing healthcare for the uninsured, nutritious food for adults, children and families facing food insecurity, and assisting homeless women on their path from the streets to a signed lease. Board certified in Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, Dr. Morris served for over 25 years as Wake County’s Medical Director and Deputy Human Services Director before coming to the nonprofit sector. He believes Urban Ministries provides hospitality, a platform and a space where neighbors in need partner in health, shop for the foods their families need, and seek their own paths out of homelessness, using their own skills and agency to succeed. He describes his “business” as believing in the possibilities of people and letting them succeed.  In addition to the MD, he has an MPH in Epidemiology, both from UNC Chapel Hill, and a MDiv from Duke. He lives in Fuquay Varina with his wife Sara Ann and multiple cats.

Dwight Morris

Dwight Morris in his 11^th year as Executive Director of Partnership for Children of Johnston County.  He previously erved as the Executive Director of the Yadkin County Partnership for Children for 7 years prior.

Outside of his full-time role, Dwight pursues opportunities related to his strong interests in economic development and community collaborations. He most recently completed a term as the local Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and has been elected to two terms on the Florence School District II Board.

Dwight is a native of Greensboro, NC and has two grown children and two grandchildren. He earned a BA from Campbell College, Dual Masters from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate from Erskine College with a focus on Social Justice.

In addition to enjoying working with children and families, Dwight loves to travel, is a Drone Pilot, learning to fly a powered paraplane, and enjoys a relaxing motorcycle ride.

Jess George

Jess George is the Government & Community Affairs Manager for Google Fiber in North Carolina. She works with community leaders, organizations, and neighborhoods to advance innovation and address issues of access, opportunity, and digital inclusion. Prior to joining the Google Fiber team, Jess worked on immigrant justice issues, most recently as the Executive Director of the Latin American Coalition. Originally from a tiny town in central New York state, Jess has called North Carolina home for 20 years.

Joan Nelson

With more than three decades of industry experience, Joan currently serves as IBM’s Vice President, Quote-to-Cash Operations supporting North American and Latin America. In this role, Joan leads a global team of 2500+ employees providing quote-to-cash enterprise services to IBM Sellers, Business Partners and IBM Business Units. Our goal is to leverage new ways of working, such as cognitive and data analytics, to provide exceptional Stakeholder and Client experiences.

Joan has held several leadership and executive roles during her tenure at IBM supporting Hardware, Software and
Services.  Areas of expertise include Process Transformation, Acquisitions and Divestitures, Supply Chain Management,
Business Development and Finance and Accounting.

Joan holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina.

She’s very active in her local community currently serving as Board Chairman for Coastal Credit Union; Board Member, Dress for Success of the Triangle; Co-Lead, Triangle Women in Stem; Member,North Carolina State Bar; and Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Durham Alumnae Chapter.

Maureen O’Connor

Maureen O’Connor is a senior healthcare executive passionate about driving change in our health care system to improve lives. Currently, Maureen currently serves as CEO of ZealCare, a health care services and technology startup (stealth mode), spun out of Duke, with a mission to empower people with complex chronic conditions to live the life they want. Until December 2019, Maureen served as president of Whiterabbit.ai, an early stage Silicon Valley company with a mission to eradicate late stage breast cancer through the use of artificial intelligence, detecting cancer earlier and more accurately.

Before joining Whiterabbit.ai, Maureen spent 17 years as an executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, serving in several executive roles including EVP of diversified businesses; president of Mosaic Health Solutions (the corporate venture arm of the company); and chief strategy and innovation officer. Prior to that time, she was general counsel and chief administrative officer.

Maureen serves on a number of professional and community boards. She is former chair of the board of United Way of the Greater Triangle. She received a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in English from College of the Holy Cross.

Michael DePaolis

As a senior vice president of sales at Weatherby Healthcare, Michael DePaolis is driven by the company’s purpose of making a difference in the lives of our people, our customers, and our communities.
He joined Weatherby Healthcare in 2007 after 15 years in the staffing industry. A chief contributor to overall company strategy and operations, Michael measures much of his success in that of his people.
With a natural rapport and passion for helping each person recognize his or her talents and developing their strengths, Michael has been able to grow Weatherby’s Durham, North Carolina office from 16 to more than 200 people – leading the division year after year in revenue growth and budget.
From a young age, Michael knew leadership was the path he wanted to take in life. While joining his father on sales calls, Michael was inspired by the way his father could connect, motivate and inspire others.
These teaching moments formed Michael’s ability to relate and communicate effectively across generations of people. It also was the impetus for his business degree.
Upon entering the staffing industry, Michael quickly solidified his reputation as a trustworthy and loyal leader.
Aside from being an exceptional leader, Michael is a proud father of two. He’s passionate about empowering his children to become contributing members of society who not only have a positive impact on their own lives but the lives of those they touch.
In his latest stage in life, Michael’s children are off to college and a piece of him has been awakened to do even more with his time to give back to his community. He sees his core values aligning with the United Way of Greater Triangle’s mission to help those across North Carolina overcome poverty and increase their social mobility.

Michael Goodmon

Michael Goodmon is Senior Vice President for Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC), a diversified media company based in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. Working with their father, Jim, he and his brother Jimmy, are the fourth generation of his family helping to lead this forward-thinking company.

Michael leads both the real estate and baseball divisions of CBC, with locations in Durham, Rocky Mount and Holly Springs, NC. Real estate developments and holdings include both urban and rural mixed-use developments with the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC respectively.

The baseball division includes the Durham Bulls in Durham, NC and the Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC. Additionally, Michael has helped lead the charge for the American Underground startup hub as well as multiple alternative investments including solar/alternative energy, passive real estate investments and breweries.

Michael is a passionate advocate for the Durham and Triangle communities and serves on several boards to encourage growth, entrepreneurship and community development. His board service includes: AJ Fletcher Foundation; The Fletcher Academy; East Durham Children’s Initiative; Triangle Community Foundation; United Way of the Greater Triangle and Leadership Triangle. In addition, he was recently named as chair by Governor Roy Cooper of the Governor’s Entrepreneurial Council for North Carolina.

He earned a B.S. in Mathematical Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in HampdenSydney, VA and a Masters in Trust and Investment Management from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. He and his wife Liz live in Durham with their four children.

Rahul Pagidipati

Rahul Pagidipati is the Chief Investment Officer at Ayon Capital.

Rahul is an entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded Freedom Health which was the largest Private Health Insurance company in America ($1.8 Billion in annual revenue). Anthem (#29 on the Fortune 5000) acquired Freedom Health in 2018. Rahul and his family have been the lead or founding investor in multiple “Unicorn” Healthcare companies including: Oscar Health, RxAdvance, and Rise (One Medical). In India, the family is the lead investor in eVaidya, United Hospitals, NanoHealth (2014 Recipient of the HULT Prize), and Anion Healthcare Services. He is currently focusing on integrating these firms to build a Social Enterprised Health System in Hyderabad, India. He has a JD/MBA from the Northwestern School of Law and Kellogg School of Management.

Roger Kemble

Dr. Roger Kemble is President of Kemble Advisors LLC and serves on the board of directors and/or advisory boards of AgBiome LLC, AgriMetis LLC, AgTech Accelerator Corp, Boragen Inc, GroundTruth Ag Inc, and Vindara Inc. Dr. Kemble served in a number of leadership roles for Syngenta including President of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., Global Head of Crop Genetics Research and Global Head of Technology Strategy and Integration from 2002, retiring in 2012. Prior to this, he held management positions at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont Company (1991-2002), Allelix Crop Technologies, and Allelix Inc (1983-1991). In parallel, he also had an academic career as a professor at the University of Toronto with an adjunct professorship at the University of Waterloo, after an assistant professorship at Kansas State University. Dr. Kemble conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Florida and the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, UK following receipt of a PH.D. degree from King’s College, University of London.

Ron Pringle

Over the course of 20 years, Ron has built a successful career in Non-Profit Leadership. Through his budget control responsibilities and extensive experience in warehouse management, development and fundraising, he has helped to develop budgets and financial planning activities which helped streamline processes to enhance overall productivity and customer satisfaction.

L. Ron Pringle is a graduate of Cross High School and later, received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Human Services from Springfield College .  After high school, he served his country during Desert Storm as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the United States Air Force.  Ron joined the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina (SHFB SENC) in April of 2012 as the Operations Manager after serving over 12 years at the Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston, South Carolina. Starting out as a Warehouse Associate, he worked many diverse positions within the Food Bank including Agency Relations Director and Director of Operations. It was here he achieved many accommodations, assisted in the development of new partnerships on local and national levels, and established innovative ways of providing services to those underserved. In November 2013, he was named the Food Bank Director of the SHFB of SENC, where he lead the recovery efforts of two major hurricanes that devastated much of his service area.

In May 2020, Ron was announced as the President & CEO of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, NC.  Here he continues to serve his community, speaking on behalf of those underserved, improving their quality of life through transformational programs and services.
As an experience leader, he is skilled at developing, optimizing, motivating leading highly effective work teams.

He has been honored by the Fayetteville Observer as a “40 Under 40” recipient and the Mountaire “Better Community” award. He is an avid golfer and Rotarian who enjoys spending time with his family.

Scott Byers

Scott Byers is President & CEO of Majestic Kitchen & Bath Creations. Majestic manufacturers and offers among the widest selection of granite, cultured marble, quartz, solid surface, stone and glass products North Carolina servicing locations from Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington, Charlotte and coastal South Carolina.

Byers is an accomplished and solutions-focused leader with more than 25 years of business success. His skills include extensive business strategy, merger and acquisition work, operational/process improvement, financial management, and growth strategy leadership to drive profitability. An attorney and finance expert, Byers earlier in his career held executive positions with responsibility for finance, legal, accounting and business strategy for US Airways, American University and Wilkes University

Byers earned his Juris Doctor from American University’s Washington College of Law and an MBA from American University’s Kogod School of Business. He is on the Board of Directors at The Daniel Center for STEM in Raleigh, NC  and has been on various boards in Education, Healthcare and public/private partnerships.

Byers lives in Raleigh, N.C., with his wife, June, and have four children: Elliott, Evan, Benjamin, and Alexandra.

Stelfanie Williams

Stelfanie Williams has served as Duke’s vice president for Durham affairs since August 2018.  In this role, Williams leads and coordinates Duke’s diverse and innovative community efforts in areas such as neighborhood partnerships, community health, education, and workforce development. Her work addresses issues of concern to the community such as affordable housing and infrastructure, early childhood education and school readiness, college and career readiness, food security and nutrition, and nonprofit support.  She builds connections between Duke and Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University, local businesses and nonprofit organizations. And, she oversees the Doing Good in the Neighborhood employee giving campaign.

Prior to Duke, Dr. Williams served as president of Vance-Granville Community College. The college experienced significant growth in academics including technical programs, the arts, and distance education during this period. The institution also set records in fundraising and grant development securing the largest corporate gift and largest grant in the college’s history, established a new facility for continuing education, and expanded partnerships with schools and universities such as North Carolina Central University’s Eagle Voyage program that provides baccalaureate degrees on the VGCC campus. Williams spearheaded the development of the VanGuarantee, a college promise scholarship, and led efforts that resulted in the largest graduating classes ever in 2015 and 2016 and the largest number of associate degrees awarded in the college’s history in 2017.

Williams has more than 20 years of higher education experience and is engaged in professional and civic organizations. She serves on the board of NCIDEA, the board of the College of Education of NC State University, and is a past director on the board of Union Bank. Currently, Williams serves on the corporate Board of Directors for the NC State Employees’ Credit Union and on SECU’s Foundation Board as well as the boards of Durham Children’s Initiative, Durham Public Schools Foundation, GoTriangle Board of Trustees, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Made in Durham, and she is a member of The Rotary Club of Durham and The Fifty Group.

Among other recognitions, Williams was designated Community College President of the Year by the State Board of NC Community Colleges in 2018. She was selected for The White House Community College Summit in 2011, in 2014 she was awarded by N.C. State the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award, and in 2019 she was selected as a Distinguished Alumna by North Carolina State University. Williams also was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Sound, Basic Education and to the MyFutureNC Commission focused on educational attainment in North Carolina.

Stelfanie is a Duke alumna, with a dual baccalaureate degree in Public Policy and Spanish, earned a master’s degree in project management from Western Carolina University and a doctorate in education from North Carolina State University. She enjoys travel, reading, gardening, meals with friends, creative conversations with colleagues, and quality time spent with family.