Introducing the Leadership Triangle 2024 Regional Leadership Goodmon Fellows
Leadership Triangle is pleased to introduce the 22 graduates of our 2024 Regional Leadership Program. Each graduate joins the lifelong Goodmon Fellowship, now encompassing 1100+ leaders across the Triangle.
Graduates of the Regional Program have successfully completed an immersive civic leadership curriculum, as well as a community engagement experience of their design and choosing. This year, participants connected with 30+ guest speakers, representing local leadership across sectors and industries.
Profiles of the 2024 Regional Leadership Goodmon Fellows follow. We encourage you to connect with and support each of them. Applications for the 2025 Regional Program will open on May 10, 2024.
Aimee Munsell — Aimee has 20+ years in building and scaling new ventures or re-inventions for businesses and nonprofits. She has led marketing including community engagement, partnerships, customer acquisition, communications, branding, and program management at several tech firms and as a consultant. She has volunteered with nonprofits on the ground and served on several Boards, most often to address food insecurity or create new economic opportunities. She moved to the Triangle from NYC during Covid and is still getting to know the area so she is always looking to meet new people, get recommendations of things to do and gain advice on pivots to her next career chapter focused on full-time mission-driven work.
Allison Willis —Allison is the current Senior Vice President of Teaching and Learning at the KIPP Foundation where she oversees K-12 instruction, curriculum, and assessment across the KIPP network serving over 120,000 students and 55,000 alumni in 27 regions. Prior to her role at KIPP Foundation, Allison was a middle school teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent with KIPP NYC over a 16 year tenure serving children, families, and their educators across Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Upper Manhattan. Allison is a proud TFA alum, mother of four, public school advocate, and New England transplant who participated in the Regional Leader program as a way to get involved in her new home and learn about all the functional areas that intersect with the experience of young people in public schools.
Cecily Hamilton — Passionate about building and maintaining healthy, flourishing communities through a career in local government. A South Florida native and enthusiastic North Carolina resident since 2017, I hope to continue to deepen my roots in the Triangle. In 2021, I received my Master of Public of Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. As a Strategy and Performance Analyst for the City or Durham’s Office of Performance and Innovation I get to use facilitative leadership to help others do great things for our community. I reside in Cary with my husband and our cat Hobbes.
Christine Wilson — Christine Wilson is Director of Advancement at Triangle Land Conservancy where she is responsible for accelerating the pace of land protection by inspiring community engagement and philanthropy. She ensures strategic planning and growth of TLC’s annual fund, foundation and corporate grants, and planned gifts; communications and marketing; plus, volunteer and community engagement programs in collaboration with our talented team on nine. Before joining TLC in 2015, Christine worked at Land Trust for Central North Carolina (now Three Rivers Land Trust.) and Historic Salisbury Foundation. She is a graduate of The University of North Carolina with a degree in Biology and spent 13 years working in organizational training and development in the Triangle area before partnering with her husband to thru-hike the 2,172 mile Appalachian Trail in 2005. Together they have two talented daughters and live in Cary, NC.
Cody Charland — Cody Charland is the co-founder of The Scuppernong Group, a fractional leadership agency that serves mission-driven organizations. A former pastor, he’s held leadership roles in small businesses, startups, and non-profits, specializing in strategy and marketing. He also serves as the Executive Director of Skate Raleigh, the Ambassador to Rostock, DE for the City of Raleigh through Raleigh Sister Cities, and the founder of Fuckup Nights Raleigh. He is married to Kate and they have two boys together; Amos (2.5) and Otto (1.5).
Courtney Bagans — Administration, Dix Park Conservancy. Courtney is a recent addition to the Dix Park Conservancy (DPC) team where she combines her experience in nonprofit administration and operations with her love for the outdoors to advance park access, local history, and public art in Raleigh, NC. Before moving to the Triangle, Courtney worked at The Miami Foundation in South Florida where she supported the Music Access Miami initiative aimed at using a collective impact approach to increase access to music and arts education for all youth in Miami-Dade County. She holds both a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Florida, and this Fall, she will continue her education at UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue a master’s degree in public health with a focus on the environment and climate. She aims to use her diverse professional and academic experiences to promote a healthy and vibrant world through supporting bold solutions to the most pressing environmental and climate-related concerns.
Derek Spahr — Derek Spahr is the Chief Advancement Officer for the Montessori School of Raleigh. In this role, he leads the school’s fundraising, marketing, and enrollment management teams. Prior to joining the Montessori School of Raleigh, he served as the founding Director of Development for the Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School in Durham and held key fundraising positions at Stevenson University and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. He earned his undergraduate degree from Millersville University and a Master of Science in Strategic Fundraising & Philanthropy from Bay Path University. He lives in Holly Springs with his family and two children.
Erin Callahan — Erin Callahan is a proud Defender of Potential for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle. She grew up in Pennsylvania, the daughter of two educators. She came to the Triangle to attend North Carolina State University and never left. After five years in the sports management field, she followed her passion for youth development and began her career with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle as the Office Manager in 2006. From there she went on to hold several positions throughout the agency. In 2010, after becoming a Big Sisters in the program, Erin was truly driven and connected to the mission and transitioned to direct program management to become the Director of Special Initiatives. Here she administered the statewide NC Mentoring Children of Prisoners program with other NC BBBS agencies and fully integrated a Healthy Child Initiative in all parts of the agency. In January of 2013, Erin was promoted again to Director of Programs where she drove program staff performance and actively contributed to all other agency departments in the areas of volunteer and donor recognition events, grant reporting, agency wide program activities, fundraising events, and community outreach. With Erin’s diverse experience across the agency and her passion to see the agency thrive, she was named the 2nd CEO of the agency in November 2017. She currently is the chair of the Mid to Large Agency Alliance of the Big Brothers Big Sisters national network, leads the efforts of the 5 North Carolina BBBS agencies in gaining State government support, and sits on Carolina Complete Health’s Community Advisory Committee.
Errik Reid — I’ve been with CBC for 4 years and have over 20 years of sales/leadership experience. I am a leader, a coach, and a mentor.
Jesalyn Keziah — Jesalyn Keziah is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. She is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with her Masters in Social Work focused on Native mental health and community, culture, and art based approaches for holistic wellness. Jesalyn was raised in Indian Trail, NC, and originally moved to the Triangle as a first-generation college student at UNC-CH studying Global Health & Environment. Before joining Triangle Native American Society as Executive Director, Jesalyn spent 12+ years working statewide in community engagement and organizational capacity building at UNC American Indian Center, Resourceful Communities Program/The Conservation Fund, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. She previously served as Vice President of Triangle Native American Society, and has also served on the board of NC Folklife Institute (NC Folk), the James Beard Foundation Food Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, NC Solidarity Economies advisory group, and advisory boards for various funders including Z. Smith Reynolds, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of NC, and Triangle Community Foundation. Her work in community has centered around local food systems and food sovereignty, environmental stewardship, arts and culture-based initiatives, philanthropy, and asset-based community development. Jesalyn lives in Durham and spends her personal time gardening, learning about native plan.
Jina Propst — Jina Propst serves as the director of the City of Durham General Services Department. Jina was appointed in January 2020, previously working within the department for 15 years. General Services Department is a team of 124 employees focused on building and maintaining city properties to make Durham a great place to live, work, and play. Prior to finding her passion for local government, Jina practiced construction law from 1998 to 2005 in North Carolina state and federal court. Jina is a native North Carolinian and is a graduate of Campbell University School of Law as well as Wake Forest University.
Kelly Holcombe — Born in MI, lived in NC for over 10 years and doing my best to give back to the community through board service and volunteering through work and the Chapel Hill Service League.
Lalonna Griffin — Lalonna Griffin is a seasoned professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Hampton University. With an impressive 27-year career in corporate real estate, Lalonna leads Workplace Strategy and Planning for RTI, International. She holds a real estate brokerage license in the state of NC. As a former Board Director for a national organization that promotes corporate real estate, Lalonna enjoys serving the community including being a mentor for others who are new to the corporate real estate environment. As a certified change manager, Lalonna applies her strategic skills and expertise in navigating organizational transformations within the realm of corporate real estate. Beyond her professional endeavors, she integrates these change management skills into her role as a certified life coach, guiding and empowering women to navigate personal transformations and lead authentic lives. In her role as an entrepreneur, Lalonna spearheads a subscription box service designed to assist female leaders in balancing the daily demands of leadership while prioritizing self-care and nurturing. Lalonna serves as a Minister in the Christian faith at a local church in Garner, NC. With a passion for faith and service, she actively engages in ministerial duties, fostering a sense of community and spiritual well-being. Married to her husband Ernie Griffin for 25 years, Lalonna is devoted to their family which includes three daughters. She enjoys family time, including regular game nights. Outside her thriving career, Lalonna finds joy in crafting, watching movies, and sewing during her leisure time. Her commitment to faith, professional excellence, and empowering others shines through her multifaceted and impactful journey.
Lee Pike — Originally from Raleigh, NC, Lee earned her BA in Psychology and minor in dance from East Carolina University. Her passion for dance led her to Chicago after graduation, where she delved into modern dance performance, teaching, and the music scene. Intrigued by Chicago’s coffee scene, she transitioned to a career in coffee, later joining Larry’s Coffee upon returning to Raleigh. With a Non-Profit Management Graduate Certificate from NC State University, she now serves as the Fund Development Manager at Activate Good. Lee is active in supporting women in bluegrass and has served on the boards of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and the NC Specialty Food Association. She remains dedicated to her passions for yoga, dance, and coffee.
Leah Strom — For my entire career, I have been privileged to be a nonprofit professional for various organizations and causes. Now, I am immensely proud to work for the American Cancer Society. When I met my husband and saw the hole in his heart his mother’s death left behind, I saw firsthand how cancer destroys lives and robs people of the ones they love. Being a part of a mission to improve people’s lives and rid the world of cancer motivates and inspires me. I am also a dog lover to my core and get such joy from opening my home to foster dogs through my volunteering with Freedom Ride Rescue. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and baking for my friends and loved ones is a favorite pastime. I care deeply for those I love and am fiercely protective and desire to see justice and kindness in the world.
Mike Peterson — Mike Peterson is a Sr. Regional Liaison with the County Engagement Team at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC. An authentic relationship builder, communicator, problem-solver, project leader, and proud North Carolinian, Mike works with local communities to determine their needs, strengths, and resources and to improve the health and well-being of every North Carolinian. He came to Blue Cross NC with 19 years of experience in various nonprofit roles, including mental health services, disaster relief, and youth and family programming. Mike lives in Hillsborough with his wife and three sons, and he loves making music, the outdoors, cooking, gardening, and occasional handy-work projects.
Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, PhD. — Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is President & CEO of T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc., Natasha Sistrunk Robinson Ministries, and the Visionary Founder and Chairperson of the nonprofit, Leadership LINKS, Inc. She is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, a former United States Marine Corps Captain, and former federal government employee of the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Robinson is a Leadership Consultant and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and North Park Theological Seminary, she is a sought-after international speaker with more than 20 years of leadership and mentoring experience in the military, federal government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Dr. Robinson exists to engage, equip, and empower people to live and lead on purpose. She is the author of several books including Voices of Lament (editor), Journey to Freedom, A Sojourner’s Truth, Hope for Us Bible study, and Mentor for Life and host of A Sojourner’s Truth podcast. She is passionate about and uses her influence to create access and opportunities and equitable workspaces for Women of Color, and specifically serves her community by mentoring the next generation of Black girls and young women leaders.
Nicole Samuel — Nicole Samuel is a Senior Director with Gartner, the world’s leading technology research and advisory company. She works with data and technology leaders to drive strategy, leverage best practices, and make data and technology investments that maximize business value. She has nineteen years of experience working and leading teams in a variety of industries and disciplines including consulting, project management, program management, recruiting, and training. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Change Leadership from Saint Louis University, School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University, School of Business. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and earned a Talent Analytics certificate from eCornell. She and her husband John Samuel (a Cary-native and local disability inclusion advocate) moved to the Triangle in 2017 and run a busy household of two little boys — Eli (6) and Ethan (4). In her free time, she enjoys traveling to small towns across North Carolina and reading across a wide-range of topics including food, family, business, technology, and finance.
Nicole Stewart — Nicole is A.J. Fletcher Foundation’s Director of Engagement and responsible for engaging our community, telling our story, and providing support to our wonderful grantees. Previously, after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in environmental studies, she worked for 18 years at NC Conservation Network. She spent the first half of her career traveling across North Carolina, coordinating diverse individuals and organizations to take on some of our state’s biggest environmental fights. In the second part of her career, she supported the work of NC Conservation Network and their dozens of affiliates and partners through her successful fundraising. Nicole served on the Raleigh City Council as an At Large member (2018–2022) and Mayor Pro Tem (2021–2022). During that time, she was Raleigh’s representative on the NC League of Municipalities’ Board and served on the boards of DHIC and Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Nicole co-founded The Beehive Collective, which gave away more than $425,000 over 14 years to Raleigh-based nonprofits before the organization closed its doors in 2022. Their grants funded projects that champion women and immigrants, improve access to transportation and affordable housing, provide vital health care to Raleigh’s underserved youth, and more.
Patty McAdams — A clinical research professional with more than 25 years’ experience developing accessible print and digital materials and tools for participants, communities, and research sites taking part in clinical trials, registries, and networks.
Utica Cason — Utica has lived in Raleigh for over 25 years. She attended SUNY-Empire State College and majored in Family/Human Services. She has affordable housing, criminal justice, real estate, non-profit, and human services experience. She has volunteered with several non-profit organizations in the community either as a volunteer, board member, or assistant executive director. Her passion is helping others and giving back to individuals in her community. She’s a team lead for Yardi Systems, Inc., CEO/Founder of SOAR Outreach, NC Real Estate Agent, and owner of real estate investing company C&C LLC.
Zach Ward — As Scholarships and Program Officer, Zach works closely with scholarship recipients, grantee partners, our network of donors and philanthropic organizations, advisory committees, and others connecting donor and community engagement. He loves building relationships, community, and institutional processes that bolster self-efficacy and social capital in the settings in which he lives and works. Zach joined the Foundation staff in 2023 after serving as Student Services Manager for the Curriculum in Global Studies at UNC Chapel Hill for eight years. In that role, he coordinated admissions, course registration, professional development, and alumni outreach for both the BA and MA programs in Global Studies. His previous experiences in higher and secondary education include positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the North Carolina Governor’s School. A native North Carolinian, Zach is passionate about working at an organization that is building a better Triangle for all at such a dynamic time in the history of our region and state. Outside of the office, Zach enjoys exploring the best of North Carolina barbecue, watching a good documentary, hitting the tennis courts, and trips to North Carolina beaches & mountains. He lives in Raleigh with his wife Emily.
