Introducing the Leadership Triangle Regional 2022 Goodmon Fellows
Since January, these 27 Triangle leaders have engaged in 42 hours of in-class learning, self-determined interviews and discussions with community leaders outside of class, and plenty of 1:1 coffees and conversations with one another. We hope you will connect with each of them and learn more about their incredible community leadership.
Please help us in celebrating the 2022 Regional cohort of Goodmon Fellows!
Aiesha Edwards is a proud (and relatively new) North Carolinian. She serves as the Executive Director of the Girls on the Run of the Triangle, where we inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Aiesha adds value to her community having developed and implemented programs, created sustainable fund development campaigns and cultivated strategic relationships. Aiesha lives in Durham with her husband Brandon and their two children, Nathan and Justice.
Amanda West is the Co-Founder & Vice President of Empower All Inc. Amanda taught kindergarten in the WCPSS for 15 years. In that time, she has served both as a mentor and mentor coordinator for novice teachers. She has worked with Project Enlightenment to give rising kindergarteners early access to resources and developmental skill practice. She has a passion for early education and believes access to the best education from the start is a right, not a privilege. Amanda has launched and coached Girls on the Run, a program in which she learned the value of focusing on the whole child and the power of building confidence in children. Amanda is excited about the future of Empower All and how the organization will bring positive change to all children for equal accessibility to a STEAM enriched curriculum and mental health wellness.
Antwaun Arnold is originally from South Carolina, where he graduated from USC-Upstate in Spartanburg, SC. He is a proud Husband and Father of two beautiful girls, Aubree and Erin who inspire him to advocate for youth. His passion for working with disadvantaged youth developed during his undergraduate years while working with the Boys and Girls Club and mentoring youth. Currently, he serves as Executive Director for Infinity Wake County where he gets to inspire disadvantaged youth with learning disabilities and special needs.
Britney McCoy is both a Durham resident and Durham native. She is a consultant, working at the intersection of business, philanthropy and social impact. As a strategist and connector, she has helped organizations such as the Obama Foundation, United Way and the National Football League build programs and partnerships that provide access to opportunity. Her passion is bringing people together to make amazing things in service of our world.
Carolyn Wiley serves as the Manager of eCampaigns at United Way of the Greater Triangle where she enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to promote their shared mission–to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility for everyone in the Triangle. Using her skills in data analysis, communications and digital media, Carolyn creates unique giving opportunities for a host of clients throughout the region. As a native of New Orleans, she loves music, the arts and bringing people together to celebrate the diversity of our shared experiences and cultures. Carolyn officially moved to Durham 25 years ago following her graduation from Duke University. She now shares her love of her adopted city with her husband, twin girls and their rescue pup, Baloney.
Cecilia Polanco is a Community Organizer and the Director of Development for Pupusas for Education.
Clark Rinehart is a Miami native, dad to Beau & Zoe, husband to Laura, and currently working at the intersection of community engagement, community development, and economic development. He is committed to promoting social entrepreneurship and innovation across the Triangle. He yearns to see it become a place where all neighbors have unobstructed access to opportunities where they can fully participate in the life of our community as their whole selves.
Colleen Sullivan-Pope’s personal mission is to build equitable spaces where all people can thrive and bring their whole selves into a space. Currently, she is the Culture, Community, and Sustainability Coordinator for Burt’s Bees. Previously she worked in the higher education sector on initiatives related to sustainability, equity and inclusion, and civic engagement. Colleen considers herself a backyard farmer, book lover and is always on the lookout for the best-baked goods in town.
Cyrus Wilson is a US Army veteran and is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Microspace Communications Corporation. Over the past 20 years, he has held key positions in operations, program management, sales and marketing, and product sustainment. Although his professional experience is in technology and communications, Cyrus is very passionate about helping others grow and succeed through mentorship, counsel, and career coaching. Cyrus lives in Holly Springs with his wife Meaghan and three boys, Jaiden, Eli, and CJ.
Emily Wade was born and raised in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Utah. She, along with her husband and two daughters have called Raleigh home for the past 13 years. Emily has a teacher’s heart and has been in the classroom in various capacities for the majority of her adult life. She is committed to creating safe spaces through culturally sustaining pedagogy and a deep personal belief in the inner genius of every person she meets. She is a co-founder of Empower All, a non profit focused on educational equity.
Eric Solomon has served as the Senior Rabbi of Beth Meyer Synagogue since 2005. He currently serves on the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission, the I-Care Interfaith Response Team of the Raleigh Police Department, and as the founding co-chair of the North Carolina Jewish Clergy Association. He lives in North Raleigh with his wife Rabbi Dr. Jenny Solomon and three children. When he is not at the synagogue or catching a University of Maryland basketball game, you can find him playing tennis at Millbrook Exchange Park.
Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, a Durham native, has an impressive and storied career as a higher education leader with more than 30 years in diverse roles. Wicker McCree made history in 2008, when she became the first female to hold the permanent title as the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Her experiences as a college Student-Athlete, coach, and administrator lends to her success as one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in NCCU history (14 years). Wicker McCree was one of the driving forces behind NCCU’s reclassification to NCAA Division I. Wicker McCree has been engaged with the Durham community her entire life and stands ready as a Goodmon Fellow to continue advocating for women and youth in our community. She is a member of The Rotary Club of Durham and other community organizations as she strongly believes in servant leadership.
Jason Smith is a Branch Manager with Bland Landscaping Company.
Jessica Wisniewski is the Vice President of Administration and Finance for the Research Triangle Foundation. She manages and oversees the Finance, Accounting and Human Resource operations for the Foundation. Jessica is a licensed CPA with the New York Board of Accountancy, with over 10 years of experience in both public accounting and in private sectors. Jessica holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Accounting.
Kate Wiggins is passionate about creating opportunities and delivering support for entrepreneurs in the Triangle, as well as making business a force for good. She carries out this work at the Durham Tech Small Business Center and in several consultant roles. She teaches business & entrepreneurship at Montana State University and fosters connection via good old-fashioned snail mail in her postcard subscription business, Sugar & Kiki.
Lauren Fayn is the Operations Director at Triangle Ultimate. In her work, Lauren supports people and ensures programs are a safe and inclusive space for all community members. Through collaboration, she hopes to improve access to sport for kids from families who have historically been left out or left behind by local sports programming.
Mary Ann McNeill-Sanders is the Covid-19 Vaccine Coordinator for Southeastern Healthcare of North Carolina. Southeastern Healthcare is committed to maximizing the speed and efficiency of North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution in a way that adheres to a strong commitment to equity. Mary Ann is passionate about addressing the needs of individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and from other historically marginalized populations. Mary Ann is a forward thinker driven by solutions.
Melissa Biediger is a native North Carolinian who now calls Durham home. As a senior program manager in community engagement at Blue Cross NC, she works closely with nonprofits, advocating for funding and other resources to support these organizations and their missions, especially in the areas of food security, behavioral health and rural health.
Miles Wobbleton is an associate at Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he practices in finance and private equity. Miles is greatly involved in community and civic matters, including as a member of the North Carolina Courts Commission at the North Carolina General Assembly and as a board member of Activate Good, where he serves as Chairman of the Development Committee, and Good Solar, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that he co-founded. Miles is also participating in the Fellows Program at the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership. Miles, originally from Greenville, North Carolina, graduated summa cum laude from Campbell University and with high honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law and now resides in Raleigh.
Dr. Monique Holsey- Hyman is a Durham resident since 2006 and a powerful woman who believes that “education is the key to success.” She is a wife, mother, community activist, and mentor passionate about Education and service. Dr. Holsey- Hyman has 16 years of administrative and academic leadership and another 25 plus years of direct social work practice in child welfare, mental health, community healthcare, and management. She serves as the Vice President of the Durham Social Services Board and the Durham Citizens Advisory Board member. Most recently, Dr. Holsey- Hyman applied as a candidate to fill the Durham At-Large City Council Seat. She was inspired by her journey as a 2022 Triangle Leadership Cohort Fellow and advocating for the Elderly and Families of Durham and in the Triangle.
Natasha Wayne is the Director of Operations and Community Engagement at Reaching All Minds Academy.
Nichole Gantshar is a new Durhamite who moved to the Triangle in November to join PlayMakers Repertory Company as its Managing Director. Having spent the past two years in interim leadership with Louisville Ballet and Theatre Bay Area, she thanks Leadership Triangle for helping her become part of the Triangle community. She spent five years as Executive Director of Rochester City Ballet, where she tripled grant revenue, grew audiences by 30 percent, and added free (philanthropy supported) sensory-friendly performances to the season. Nichole received her BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and MFA from the University at Stony Brook and has taught at Syracuse University, University at Stony Brook, University of Pittsburgh, and the Wooster Center for the Arts. Apart from her career in theatre and ballet, Nichole served as a Legislative Aide in Congress and as a journalist.
Rolanda Byrd is the Executive Director of Raleigh PACT.
Sarah Cavaiani is a grants professional at the North Carolina Healthcare Association, where she works to build healthier and more equitable communities through transformative and sustainable community initiatives. Outside of her work, Sarah runs a small business and is a graduate student in Child Welfare. She is excited to graduate as a Goodmon fellow and connect with other leaders throughout the Triangle.
Shirnetta Harrell is the Founder and Executive Director of the No Woman, No Girl Initiative.
Tandra Byrd is proud to call Raleigh, NC her birthplace and home to this day. As a former educator, the holistic growth of youth in BIPOC and disabled communities has been her passion. After many years of being a serial volunteer and committee chair for numerous local non-profit organizations, Tandra has transitioned professionally into the non-profit sector. Currently serving in a Program and Organization Coordinator role. She is a servant leader with the drive to be a solid change agent who creates brave spaces for all.
Valencia Hicks-Harris is a Raleigh native, educator, wife, mom, and an educational equity & STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math) advocate. She is committed to integrating cultural affirmation, belonging, social-emotional learning, and STEAM. Valencia culminates her passions and skills to amplify the voices of historically marginalized students and increase the presence of BlPOC youth in STEM by serving as the Founder & Executive Director of Empower All Incorporated.
Interested in applying for a future Leadership Triangle cohort? Find program details and links to apply here: https://leadershiptriangle.com/goodmon-fellowship/
