Conference Speakers

Dr. Latonya Agard

Executive Director, NC Coalition to End Homelessness

Latonya L. Agard, “Dr. A,” comes to NCCEH with a wealth of leadership experience within the faith community, higher education, nonprofits, and mental health. She holds several degrees, including a BS in Chemistry and an MA in English from the University of Alabama, an MDiv from Duke University Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Her work in higher education focused on mentoring first-generation African American students, helping to build their capacity for resilience, and teaching at the University of Alabama, Miles College, Barton College, and Duke Divinity School. As a local pastor and church planter, she has led communities of faith to consider the dynamic relationships between Christian praxis and professions of faith. This transformative work fuels her interest in connecting the tenets of her faith with the practical needs of marginalized communities, which is partly reflected in her work to help establish ONE Wake, an IAF affiliate in Wake County, NC, her job as a case manager for the Support Circle Program for Homeless Families, and her service on nonprofit Boards of Directors. Integrating her skills, knowledge, and experience, Dr. A broadened her justice work by opening her business, BeSpeak Solutions, Inc.

Whitney Barkley-Denney

Deputy Director of State Policy & Senior Policy Counsel, CRL

Whitney Barkley-Denney is a deputy director of state policy and a senior policy counsel, based in Durham, NC. She works with state legislatures, attorneys general, and governors to fight predatory lending, exploitative student loan practices, and unscrupulous debt collectors.  Prior to CRL, Whitney worked on a range of election law issues as director of the Michigan Election Law Project and field director for Election Protection 2008, coordinating law students and attorneys to monitor polls for election irregularities during the 2008 presidential campaign. Whitney clerked for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, serving in the Voter Protection Division, working to enforce the 1964 Voting Rights Act. She accepted a fellowship from Equal Justice Works/AmeriCorps to do foreclosure assistance work with the Mississippi Center for Justice, developing legal and policy expertise in foreclosure, consumer lending, and for-profit colleges. In 2013 and 2014, Whitney was appointed to the US Department of Education's Federal Rulemaking Committee on Gainful Employment and Programmatic Integrity, helping to set federal financial policy for students.  Whitney attended The College of Charleston, in Charleston (SC), and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, being named 2009 Woman Law Student of the Year by the National Women Lawyers Association.

Dr. Michelle Eley

Community & Economic Development Specialist, NC A&T State University

Michelle Eley is an assistant professor/extension specialist in community & economic development at North Carolina A&T State University. Her educational background is in Agricultural Economics (B.S. and M.S) and Community & Human Development (doctoral degree). Her work focuses on community engagement, leadership and organizational development, economic development, food systems planning, and emergency preparedness. As a state specialist, Dr. Eley helps local governments, public and private partners, and community groups investigate and create viable economic and community development strategies. She engages daily with university faculty and staff, local government officials, and external stakeholders. She also leads all Community and Rural Development training activities for Extension at A&T field faculty, volunteers, and other clientele. She has contributed to a host of projects with N.C. State Extension, the Southern Rural Development Center, and with other Extension peers across the 1890 land-grant system.

Mary Grillo, MSW, LCSW

Director of Social Work, NC Department of Adult Corrections

Mary Grillo, MSW, LCSW is the Director of Social Work for the NC Department of Adult Correction. She oversees specialized aftercare planning and programs to enhance services for individuals who are incarcerated and living with mental illnesses, I/DD, and complex medical issues.  Director Grillo also coordinates the NC Department of Adult Correction’s Medicaid Expansion efforts for individuals releasing to the community and is active in the NC Joint Reentry Council that was established by North Carolina’s Reentry 2030 project. Prior to her current social work role, she provided social work services as well as individual and group therapy in a variety of settings in addition to prisons.  The settings have included the forensic units at a state psychiatric hospital, jails, homeless shelters, and a community treatment team with the University of NC School of Medicine providing treatment for people living with schizophrenia.

Aileen Lassiter, MA, MFA, LCMHC

Founder, Transcendent Wellness & Therapy PLLC

Aileen Imana Lassiter, MA, MFA, LCMHC, is a licensed therapist, creative, and entrepreneur whose work bridges mental health, storytelling, and transformation. A proud North Carolina A&T alumna, she also holds graduate degrees from Wake Forest University and the UNC School of the Arts. Through her private practice, Transcendent Wellness & Therapy PLLC, Aileen supports individuals and professionals in navigating burnout, healing, and personal growth.  Her career journey—from corporate employee to mother, author, therapist, and now filmmaker—embodies the essence of The Power of the Pivot. Aileen’s dynamic path reflects her belief that resilience, creativity, and purpose are not separate pursuits but parts of the same calling—and she truly is someone who does it all.

Dr. Mark Light

4-H STEM Specialist, NC A&T State University

As the 4-H STEM Specialist at North Carolina A&T State University, Dr. Light is passionate about working with youth and helping them develop into adults who can create, innovate, and solve problems with technology. He has over 19 years of experience in 4-H youth development, teaching and developing materials on a state and national level for STEM, maker space, social media, computer science education, and robotics. Dr. Light is the creator of the National 4-H Clovers CODE program, which has reached over 50 Ohio counties and 7 states including North Carolina and aims to empower youth to be content creators with technology, not just content consumers. He is active with Apple Community Education Initiative, Google Artificial Intelligence Education, and 4-H Tech Wizards Grants, which provide access to technology and coding education for underserved youth.

Carmen Maye Lucas

Regional Banking Senior Manager, Wells Fargo

Carmen Maye Lucas is a seasoned financial services leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth, developing talent, and advancing financial empowerment. She currently serves as a District Branch Network Senior Manager in Raleigh where she leads and mentors Branch Managers in delivering exceptional service, financial guidance, and operational excellence.

Her career began with Wachovia Bank, and for over two decades she has held a variety of leadership roles, consistently recognized for her ability to inspire, coach, and bring out the best in her teams. A proud graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Carmen later earned her MBA with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina State University. In 2022, she was honored as one of ECU’s 40 Under 40 and continues to give back as a member of the ECU Advancement Council.

Charles Mautz

Director of Rehabilitation Services, NC Department of Adult Correction

Charles Mautz is Director of Rehabilitation Services for the NC Department of Adult Correction. In this role, Director Mautz oversees a host of facility-based and digital programs, services, and resource offerings such as cognitive behavioral programming, family services and parenting programs, volunteer coordination, apprenticeships, and work release. He also oversees faith-based and chaplaincy services for all NCDAC correctional facilities. He has worked within the corrections field and justice systems since 2012, as a psychologist and as an administrator of multiple research, strategic planning, and operations projects. Director Mautz was the inaugural administrator of NC Prisons’ Innovation Institute and later a member of the Administrative Office of Courts’ Research, Policy, and Planning team. 

Scot McAlexander

Market Executive - North Ridge, TowneBank

Scot is the market executive for the north Raleigh market where he leads a team of commercial and private bankers. With over 24 years of commercial real estate (CRE) and commercial and industrial (C&I) banking experience in North Carolina and Virginia, Scot is skilled in portfolio management, commercial lending, credit analysis, and cash flow management. He joined TowneBank in 2020.

Scot holds an MBA in Finance from Virginia Tech. He serves his community as a board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County and the Wake Education Partnership.

Dionne McGee

President & Chief Executive Officer, DG McGee Enterprises

Dionne Griffin McGee is a powerhouse speaker, author, and sales strategist—and the President & CEO of DG McGee Enterprises. With over 25 years of corporate leadership—including leading multimillion-dollar sales teams—she’s now on a mission to help entrepreneurs package their brilliance and turn offers into income. She broke barriers as a C-suite executive in a male-dominated industry, leading proposal departments for a national utility metering firm. Today, Dionne is the visionary behind ROAR University™, the ROAR Conference™, and the transformational ROAR Business Accelerator™—programs designed to help founders build premium offers, price with confidence, and scale with systems. Her R.O.A.R. Framework™—Relentless, Optimistic, Ambitious, Results-Driven—helps leaders grow with intention. Her signature ROAR Reverse RFP™ Method flips the traditional sales process, helping small business owners win contracts and create recurring revenue. Dionne shows up with power, purpose, and proof—and she’s here to help others do the same.

Sabrina McGee, MSW

Partnership Manager, MDC

Sabrina McGee, MSW is a Partnership Manager at MDC, a Durham-based nonprofit advancing economic mobility across the South. Sabrina works across the Rural Prosperity & Investment and Economic Security & Mobility teams, equipping leaders, communities, and organizations with tools and support to create thriving Southern communities and systems that work for real people. As MDC's student loan policy expert, Sabrina provides support to student loan borrowers navigating repayment options and loan forgiveness programs, engages in policy processes at state- and federal-levels, and facilitates MDC’s Student Debt Relief Coalition. A current borrower herself, she brings both lived experience and deep policy expertise to conversations about how student loan policy impacts individual borrowers as well as whole systems and communities. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is passionate about amplifying community voices in decision-making processes.

Nadia Mitchell

Founder, Reiki with Nadia

Nadia Campbell-Mitchell is a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Life Coach, and Meditation/Mindfulness Guide with over nine years of experience running her Reiki practice, providing in-person and virtual wellness services nationwide. Earlier in her career, she was also a day spa owner and operator, gaining valuable business and leadership experience. From a young age, Nadia demonstrated a commitment to community impact, founding her own nonprofit at the age of eleven to bridge the gap between senior citizens and teenagers. She currently serves as Director of Development at the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, leading fundraising, donor engagement, and organizational growth initiatives. Her contributions to both nonprofit leadership and holistic wellness have earned her recognition, including being named Best Reiki Practitioner on Long Island and receiving the Women of Distinction Award in 2022 from New York Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre. By combining her experience as a business owner, wellness practitioner, and nonprofit leader, Nadia helps individuals and organizations achieve balance, growth, and meaningful impact.

Narkie Nartey

Founder, The Wackaboomee Program

Narkie Nartey is a visionary leader and community connector dedicated to bridging innovation, education, and opportunity. She currently serves as Office Manager at AJA+ (Andre Johnson Architects) and is a former Project Manager for the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce. Deeply engaged in civic life, she serves on the Town of Morrisville’s Planning and Zoning Board, is the Past President of the RTP Rotary Club, a former Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Committee Member, and a Board Member of EdTech Unite.  Her passion for helping others began when she wrote a children’s book for her daughter, Sage—a moment that sparked the creation of The Wakaboomee Program, a grassroots nonprofit that started in her backyard and now engages youth across North Carolina. The Wakaboomee Program provides access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, Wellness, and Entrepreneurship experiences—empowering students to lead, innovate, and thrive.  Under Narkie’s leadership, Wakaboomee now offers hybrid learning sessions and large-scale community events that inspire unity, inclusivity, and a lifelong love of learning. Partnering with educators and industry professionals who bring real-world expertise from top tech companies, the program makes complex concepts engaging, accessible, and relevant.

George Pettigrew

Senior Deputy Secretary, NC of Adult Correction

George Pettigrew is Senior Deputy Secretary for the NC Department of Adult Correction, responsible for leading initiatives for the agency’s Division of Rehabilitation and Reentry Services. A 32-year veteran of correctional services, Deputy Secretary Pettigrew has served in many roles, including as an Intensive Probation Officer and Chief Probation/Parole Officer before being named Justice Reinvestment Administrator, where he oversaw innovative initiatives regarding the NC Justice Reinvestment Act. He has served on statewide committees leading successful reentry efforts, such as the Revocation Task Force and the Risk Needs Assessment Committee and has played a key role in several impactful projects, including the creation of Confinement in Response to Violation Centers. Deputy Secretary Pettigrew co-chairs the NCReentry2030 Joint Reentry Council, established under Executive Order 303 by Governor Roy Cooper, a unique cross-agency initiative that aims to dramatically improve reentry success for people exiting prison.

Lateisha Thrash

Director of Reentry Services, NC Department of Adult Correction

Lateisha Thrash is the Director of Reentry Services for the NC Department of Adult Correction. As Director, she manages all operations and services, including community programs in all 100 NC counties, transition programs, transitional housing services, and Medicated Assistant Treatment/Medications for Opioid Use Disorder programs. In addition, Director Thrash leads evidence-based programs, justice reinvestment projects, reentry simulation efforts, and quality assurance projects. She also oversees the agency’s two treatment facilities, the DART (Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Residential Treatment) Center and the Black Mount Center for Women. Director Thrash has played a key role in launching NC’s Designated Reentry Facilities, enhancing partnerships with NC local reentry councils, establishing NCCARE360, and many other initiatives that support successful reentry.  She is a certified General Instructor for NC of Department of Adult Correction, graduate of the NC Correctional Leadership Development Program (CLDP), and Executive Development Leadership Program through UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

Steve Virgil

Clinical Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

Steve Virgil is a professor at Wake Forest University School of Law in North Carolina, and the founding director of the Law School's Community Law Clinic, Trade and Development Clinic, and Veterans Legal Clinic. He teaches courses on business/corporate law, poverty and development. In addition to teaching, Virgil advised CDFI's and worker cooperatives. Prior to teaching, Steve practiced securities and corporate law with a national law firm and before that with an impact litigation firm, representing clients in civil rights, consumer rights, and environmental justice cases. He has successfully tried cases on behalf of community groups fighting environment injustice, prison conditions and use of force, predatory lending, and fair housing. Steve clerked for the Honorable George W. White, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and is the author of three books and numerous law review articles on poverty and community economic development. 

Dr. Diamonte Walker

CEO, Forward Cities

Dr. Diamonte Walker serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Forward Cities. With more than a decade of experience in community and economic development, Dr. Walker is recognized as an expert in crafting policies and strategies that foster neighborhood vibrancy and inclusive economic growth.  Dr. Walker previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Scholar House, where she led the organization in providing housing and economic development opportunities to single-parent families pursuing higher education or workforce training. Dr. Walker also served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Pittsburgh, where she was instrumental in shaping policies that promoted sound economic development practices, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods and the promotion of inclusive growth in the city.  Dr. Walker holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Administration from Point Park University, along with an MBA and a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Her extensive academic and professional experience equips her with the leadership skills needed to navigate complex challenges in economic development and to guide organizations toward achieving long-term sustainability and impact.

Jacinta Walker

E3 Durham Program Director, Forward Cities

Jacinta Walker, an experienced entrepreneur and business leader, brings 20 years of expertise in Business Development, Marketing, and Sales to her role as the E3 Durham Program Director at Forward Cities. She earned her MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Jacinta’s approach in all areas of life and work is to deliver a VIP experience through innovation and collaboration by uncovering one's Value, Impact, and Purpose.  In her role at Forward Cities, Jacinta leads efforts to connect Durham's small business owners with a thriving network of experts, fostering growth, community, and impact. Her vision for the E3 Durham program is to cultivate a seamless process for connecting small business owners with the resources and support they need to thrive. She is committed to leveraging her extensive network and expertise to build a robust and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Durham.  Jacinta is also the founder of Lyfe Wurks Marketing Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in marketing, sales, and training. When she's not working, she loves traveling to explore new cultures, hiking trails, attending cultural festivals, and reading.

Magalie Yacinthe

Senior Director of Programs & Operations, Forward Cities

Magalie, an alumnus of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, was born in Nassau Bahamas, raised in Miami FL, and is one of five daughters to Haitian parents. As the Senior Director of Programs & Operations, she leads the execution and delivery of Forward Cities' equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building solutions and learning engagements. Leveraging a depth and breadth of experience in entrepreneurial support and resource development, as well as best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is a founder and Executive Director of HUSTLE Winston-Salem, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusive entrepreneurship. Magalie created YES Strategies & Solutions, a cost-effective consulting firm helping nonprofits and corporations accomplish successful programming and project management to carry out their missions.