Issuu

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LEADERSHIP + LIFESTYLE SINCE 2003

THE AWARDS ISSUE Highlighting this year's Women to Watch

ICONIC IMPACT

Icon honoree Wilma Daniels

MEDAL METAL

Kristin Wood designs this year's winners bracelet

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DEPARTMENTS 11 SPOTLIGHT 17 WILMA LEADERSHIP 34 FEAST 37 STYLE 94 SCENE 98 DIRECT MALE 100 TAKE 5

FEATURES 47 Aviator Aces 56

WILMA Women to Watch Awards

well played

42 4

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high notes

on the fly

in the bag

seaside charms

cooking with class

tech talks

award worthy

on the cover

Madeline Gray photographed Wilma Daniels, this year's WILMA Icon Award recipient, at Cape Fear Community College's downtown Wilmington art gallery. The Wilma W. Daniels Gallery was named in her honor in 2013 because of her support of the school.

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Leadership + Lifestyle since 2003 PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser PRESIDENT Robert Preville EDITOR / DIRECTOR OF WILMA LEADERSHIP Vicky Janowski VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING Matthew Coleman SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANT Craig Snow MARKETING CONSULTANTS Alexis Powers Jillian Hon Heather Cunningham EVENTS DIRECTOR Jamie Merrill ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WILMA LEADERSHIP & EVENTS Alec Hall ART DIRECTOR - EDITORIAL Suzi Drake ART DIRECTOR - MARKETING Tara Weymouth MEDIA COORDINATORS Tara Sestanovich Lindsay Podraza OFFICE MANAGER David Taylor FASHION STYLIST Drewe Smith CONTRIBUTORS Tim Bass, Nina Bays, Stephanie Bowens, Jenny Callison, Meghan Corbett, Lily Crowder, Emily Gorman Fancy, Samantha Kupiainen, Moment Palmer, Emory Rakestraw Boyd, Lynda Van Kuren CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Daria Amato, Megan Deitz, Drewe and Kate Branding Co., Madeline Gray, Terah Hoobler, Peyton Zino DIRECTOR OF FEAST WILMINGTON Jessica Maurer

@ WILMAmag / WILMAmag.com FOUNDER Joy Allen SUBSCRIBE For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check) to: WILMA, 101 N. 3rd St., Suite 400, Wilmington, NC, 28401or call 910-343-8600 x201 Copyright 2026

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CONTRIBUTORS DARIA AMATO is a native New Yorker and School of Visual

Arts graduate. Throughout her thirty years of experience, she has photographed a range of editorial, advertising, company branding, and corporate clients in addition to music, fashion, portraiture, weddings, and still life. Amato has been recognized by The Society of Publication Designers and Graphic Design USA and received an Optima Design Award for best cover photography. Amato photographed Michele Bourk for a feature about women in aviation (page 47).

NINA BAYS is creative director for the Los Angeles Business

Journal and style intro writer for WILMA magazine. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she was previously co-editor/ art director of WILMA and art director for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. She is happy to still be part of the WILMA team, even while on the opposite coast. Bays adds personality to this issue’s Style feature on bags for all vibes (page 37).

STEPHANIE BOWENS is a native of Wilmington. She earned

a B.A. in journalism and mass communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has enjoyed working as a news correspondent, freelance reporter, writer, and editor for many years. Writing has always been one of her passions, and she enjoys having opportunities to use writing in various forms to tell stories, inform, inspire, and encourage. Bowens talked with Kristin Wood, designer of this year’s WILMA Women to Watch Awards bracelet (page 90).

MADELINE GRAY is a freelance documentary photographer

based in Wilmington. With a master’s degree in photojournalism, her work is regularly featured in local and national publications. She enjoys spending time in places that are off the beaten track and collaborating to share the diverse stories found there. Gray photographed the issue’s cover and story on Wilma Daniels (page 58) as well as this year’s Women to Watch finalists (awards section starting on page 56). Gray also photographed Rec Club’s Kelly Amato (page 41) and K-Town Karaoke (page 94). madelinegrayphoto.com and @madelinepgray on Instagram

LYNDA VAN KUREN , a transplant from the D.C.-metro area,

is a freelance writer and content marketer whose work has appeared in national as well as regional publications. She loves connecting with others, whether through writing, ballet, or training her dogs for agility competitions. She interviews Alison Baringer for the issue’s Take 5 interview (page 100).

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FROM THE EDITOR

LET THE

AWARDS BEGIN t’s fall, which around WILMA means awards season.

We’ve been hard at work on this year’s Women to Watch Awards program – from the (difficult) process of judging to the (fun) job of notifying winners to the (all-hands-ondeck) effort of highlighting the latest group of finalists. For the fifteenth year, we are spotlighting thirty-five accomplished women in the region working in seven vastly different fields. We’re also highlighting this year’s Icon Award recipient, Wilma Daniels. Several years ago, I saw Daniels walking around WILMA Expo event with a copy of the latest issue and joking that it was her magazine. On September 11, when we gather at the Wilmington Convention Center for this year’s awards event, it will in fact, be her issue with the WILMA masthead declaring Wilma an icon. It takes a team and a lot of hours to pull together the honors. In this issue alone, our editorial art director Suzi Drake worked with photographer Madeline Gray on the Herculean effort to capture amazing portraits of all thirty-five

finalists and Daniels in a very short timeframe. It’s an effort that’s organized by our events team, director Jamie Merrill and Alec Hall, who also serves as WILMA Leadership’s assistant director, to bring everyone together. And it starts with the outside panel of judges who wade through the hundreds of awards nominations to decide the finalists and category winners – making tough judgement calls throughout the process. But it also wouldn’t be possible without the finalists themselves. Without the impacts they’re making in their fields and in the community, there would be nothing to celebrate. Read more about those achievements starting on page 56. Discover what’s made Wilma Daniels committed to the area on page 58. And get a sneak peek at who is designing this year’s custom Women to Watch winners bracelet on page 90. Congrats to this year’s finalists, and stay tuned for announcements in September of the winners.

Vicky Janowski, WILMA editor editor@wilmingtonbiz.com

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WATER WORKS

SPOTLIGHT

GROWING UP, YWCA LOWER CAPE FEAR AQUATICS DIRECTOR AILEEN SUTTON SWAM COMPETITIVELY FOR EIGHT YEARS AND BEGAN HER AQUATICS CAREER AT A YWCA IN ASHEVILLE AFTER COLLEGE, where an interview question about teaching water aerobics unexpectedly launched her career. Since moving to Wilmington in 2013, Sutton has worked in a variety of wellness and aquatics roles. Now in her fifth year as aquatics director at the YWCA, she says the community keeps her passionate about the work. “We see generations coming through,” she says. “Parents who learned how to swim at the YWCA now have their kids learning how to swim at the YWCA.” The YWCA temporarily closed its pool in August for a significant overhaul that includes replacing its bubble enclosure, retiling the pool itself, and other facility upgrades. The major project and pool closure is slated through October.

photo by DARIA AMATO

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SPOTLIGHT

‘CLOSER TO FINE’ MULTI-GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING FOLK DUO INDIGO GIRLS VISITS WILMINGTON with a performance at CFCC’s Wilson Center on October 11. Linda Perry will open for the 7 p.m. show. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray released their eponymous major label debut, Indigo Girls, in 1989 and log a line of hits and album sales in the decades since. They have recorded sixteen studio albums and sold more than 15 million records worldwide. Info: wilsoncentertickets.com/events

GROUP WORKOUT WHAT: Recess at the Lake WHEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., September 27 LOCATION: Greenfield Lake Amphitheater DETAILS: Wellness takes over the amphitheater with a 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk as well as open-air classes for spin, yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and more.

MILLENNIAL MOVES

HEALTHCARE ACCESS (per 10,000 people) N.C.

NHC 8.1

PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

3.7

BIRTH ATTENDANTS

4.2

DENTISTS

8.2

Snapshot of millennials moving to Wilmington, which ranked 35th among U.S. cities on relative popularity, in a recent study:

• 7.6% •

Millennials moved in relative to total population

• 9,570 •

Source: NCIOM

Millennials moved in over one year

• 34,549 •

Number of local millennials

INFO: recessatthelake.com

Source: SmartAsset

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MAKING THE BAND WHAT: GrrrlBands Wilmington WHEN: 6:30 p.m., September 13 LOCATION: Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern DETAILS: Wilmington’s first chapter of GrrrlBands brings together women and nonbinary adults who spend eight weeks forming bands, picking songs, and rehearsing for a showcase performance in September. EVENT INFO OR TO JOIN A BAND: grrrlbands.org

SPOTLIGHT

photo by ARIS HARDING

ITINERARY INSPIRATION EVER WANTED TO KNOW WHERE TO SPEND A FREE DAY AROUND WILMINGTON? Or looking to check out somewhere new-to-you for dinner? Each month, WILMA’s website features recommendations from interesting women on how they would put together their best days. For example, the perfect day for SHEREE DARIEN (above), REV Federal Credit Union’s local retail branch manager, would include a pampering morning at Head to Toe Day Spa, lunch at Brunches, shopping at Purse-a-nality, and dinner at Ruth’s Chris or Sugo. Steal these itineraries by checking out the Best Day Wilmington series at WILMAmag.com.

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ON THE AGENDA Advice and connections from local leaders + the latest on the WILMA Leadership initiative

p.18

WILMA LEADERSHIP UPDATES p.21

WILMA LEADERSHIP SPONSORS p.22

Q & A WITH SANDY HOWE p.26

PLUGGING IN: KATIE CARUS-CHILDERS’ RECS p. 29

PLUGGING IN: FARMERS MARKETS p.30

MOTIVATING ADVICE FROM ROBYN GODFREY

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UPDATES

The latest on the WILMA Leadership Initiative and its mission to empower women to lead with confidence and purpose

RECAP:

EADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: WILMA’s annual leadership conference took • Lplace July 30 at the Wilmington Convention Center. The half-day event brought together

nearly 500 people to hear workshops on amplifying your voice, team coaching, intentional networking, and board of directors training as well as messages from keynote speakers sharing leadership lessons learned from the sports world. For an excerpt of one of those speeches, turn to page 30.

EADERSHIP INSTITUTE: This year’s WILMA’s Leadership Institute class • Lcontinued to meet for monthly skills training on topics including brand building (July, held

at Novant Health) and strategic thinking (August, held at Live Oak Bank). Learn more about the forty-eight women in this year’s cohort at wilmamag.com/women-to-watch/wilmasleadership-institute.

LUM ANNIVERSARY: Institute graduates and WILMA awards alum gathered for • Aa social to reconnect in July at The Sounder.

ILMA NETWORK: The WILMA Network, made up of supporting members of the • W Leadership Initiative, holds monthly meetups such as networking lunches, WILMA events, and a golf outing at First Tee of Greater Wilmington (above). For more info and to join, go to wilmanetwork.com.

THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs • IasNwell as application announcements by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

EXPLORE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED

LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

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W2W AWARDS

LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR

WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

UP NEXT:

WILMA ALUM How to connect with WILMA’s leadership programs

W OMEN TO WATCH AWARDS: This year’s awards event is September 11 at • the Wilmington Convention Center. Winners in the categories of Arts, Business, Education, Health, Nonprofit, Public Sector, Rising Star, and WILMA Icon will be announced. Look for more on the finalists starting on page 56.

M ENTORING: As a part of WILMA’s mentoring program, up-and-coming women in • the community are matched with women and men mentors to assist with their leadership

development. Participation in the program is limited to those who participated in a WILMA Leadership program in the past year, and the mentorship will run from October 2026 to September 2027.

TRAINING: A fall Get on Board workshop is planned for women wanting • toB OARD join local boards of directors and committees. Sarah Daniels, director of UNCW’s Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO), will facilitate the training. Stay tuned for date and registration info.

MORE INFO: WILMALeadership.com GET ON BOARD

WILMA NETWORK

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MENTORING

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SPONSORS

“On behalf of Live Oak Bank, I’m proud to serve on the WILMA Board

DENISE FOAT

Senior Operations Support Manager / VP - SBB Closings LIVE OAK BANK

and support our continued partnership with an organization that empowers, connects, and celebrates the women shaping our community. Live Oak has long been committed to creating opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Through our partnership with WILMA, we help elevate women’s voices, strengthen professional connections, and support the success of women across our region. Together, we are creating opportunities, encouraging leadership, and helping build a stronger community for future generations.”

“At Novant Health, we are honored to support WILMA’s Leadership

Initiative and its work to create opportunities for women to thrive and lead in our community. Investing in women’s leadership strengthens our region by fostering professional development, expanding opportunities for advancement, and building a stronger, more inclusive workforce. We are proud to partner with WILMA and look forward to seeing the continued impact of this important work throughout our community.”

HEATHER DAVIS

Chief Clinical Officer NOVANT HEALTH COASTAL REGION

PRESENTING SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

WILMAmag.com/leadership/sponsors WILMA

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Career of Connectivity:

SANDY HOWE LINKS DECADES OF TECH LEADERSHIP TO ADVISING ROLES by MEGHAN CORBETT | photo by TERAH HOOBLER

ANDY HOWE was born to be a leader and help others achieve their professional goals along the way.

Founding S. Howe + Associates in 2020, the business has quickly grown to allow Howe to focus on board service, executive advisory work, and strategic investments. “All three areas of my work are connected by a common philosophy: Think ahead, build meaningful relationships, invest wisely, and execute consistently,” Howe says. “Whether it’s creating financial independence, helping businesses grow, or cultivating trusted partnerships, I’ve always focused on playing the long game.” Throughout her career, Howe says, she has discovered that the greatest opportunities come from trusted relationships, rarely from transactions. “By investing in people as intentionally as I invested in my future,” she says, “I built a network of executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and board members who became long-term collaborators, advisors, and friends.” How would you describe the work you do? “I help companies grow. Whether I’m serving in the boardroom or advising CEOs and leadership teams, I help organizations translate strategy into execution by strengthening their operations, business development, go-tomarket strategy, and leadership alignment. My goal is to help leaders navigate change, unlock growth, and create long-term value.”

How many employees do you have? “S. Howe + Associates is intentionally a boutique advisory practice. While I’m the only full-time employee, I work with a trusted network of experienced C-suite executives and specialists who I bring in as needed. My clients range from entrepreneurial startups to global technology companies, private equity firms and corporate boards.” How long have you lived in Wilmington? “I moved to Wilmington in 1999. I took a chance on relocating here for a sales position with a technology company bringing broadband, video, internet, and Wi-Fi connectivity into homes. I wanted to live near the beach, even though it meant taking on what was then the company’s lowest-performing sales territory. It turned out to be one of my best decisions. I grew the territory into one of its top-performing markets, met my husband, Peter Browne Ruffin III, a Wilmington native, and built my career and life here. Since then, we’ve invested in Wilmington through historic real estate restoration, supporting local businesses, and serving as ‘self-appointed’ ambassadors for the community we love.” Tell me a bit about your background and career. “I’ve spent more than twentyfive years in the technology and communications industry. I started as a sales engineer at Broadband Networks, a startup fiber optics company in State College, Pennsylvania, then spent a decade at Cisco/Scientific Atlanta, where I grew our largest account, Time Warner Cable, from $53 million to more than $1 billion. From there, I spent nearly a decade at ARRIS in a series of senior leadership

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roles – from strategic market development to global marketing to general manager of our Consumer Products Group – helping the company scale from $900 million to $6.7 billion in revenue. I later served as EVP and president of the Americas for another technology company, Technetix. Early in my career, I was fortunate to be part of multiple mergers and acquisitions, both as companies I worked for acquired others and as Broadband Networks, Scientific Atlanta and ARRIS ultimately became acquisition targets themselves. Those experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of what it takes to build and position a company for a successful acquisition. Today, I bring that operating experience to a portfolio career that includes board service, strategic advisory work and investing. I currently serve on the boards of ATX Networks and SQUAN and previously served on the public company board of Minim (Nasdaq: MINM), as well as the Technical Advisory Boards of Teleste (Nasdaq: TLT1V.HE) and Afiniti. I also advise private equity firms and investment banks on communications infrastructure, technology investments, and emerging technologies, while working with CEOs and boards through S. Howe & Associates on growth strategy, operational execution, and business transformation.” Do you have any specific training or educational accomplishments you’d like to mention? “I earned my degree from Penn State and later completed executive education at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. While those experiences provided a strong foundation, my greatest education has come from a commitment to lifelong

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learning. Technology evolves too quickly for any degree to keep pace, so throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to keep learning – from reading, listening, and working alongside exceptional engineers, technologists, operators, and business leaders. I’ve always believed in surrounding myself with people who know more than I do. I’m also an active member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), where ongoing education helps me stay current on governance, cybersecurity, risk, and the evolving responsibilities of today’s boards. That commitment to continuous learning has shaped my effectiveness as a director and was reflected in my recognition by BoardProspects as one of its 100 Exceptional Private Company Board Members in 2025. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from my father: ‘If you’re going to succeed in a male-dominated industry, you have to be smarter and work harder than anyone else in the room.’ Over time, I’ve learned that being ‘smarter’ isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about staying curious, continuously learning, listening, and never becoming complacent.” What led you to start S. Howe + Associates? “It really started with a need. Throughout my career, people regularly reached out for advice, introductions, or a different perspective. I’d always believed in helping whenever I could because I’ve long subscribed to the idea that a rising tide lifts all boats.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith

Whether it was mentoring a colleague, connecting someone to an opportunity, helping a customer solve a challenge, or opening a door for a friend, I never viewed relationships as transactional. I genuinely enjoyed helping people succeed. At the time, I was in a career transition after leaving one company and exploring CEO opportunities. One of my mentors finally said, ‘Why don’t you build a business around what people are already coming to you for?’ So, I let my network know I was available. Almost immediately, opportunities started coming my way. Looking back, I realized I had spent years investing in relationships without expecting anything in return. When I launched S. Howe + Associates, those relationships became the foundation of the business. It was a powerful reminder that when you consistently help others succeed, people remember – and they’re often eager to help you succeed, too.” What are some lessons you’ve learned about business ownership? “Owning a business teaches you that you’re always in business development. There is no finish line. You never stop investing in relationships, making connections, and finding ways to help people. I’ve found that when you consistently add value without expecting something in return, the business has a way of following. I’ve also learned that successful businesses pay as much attention to operational discipline and financial

fundamentals as they do to vision. Great ideas only matter if they’re executed well and financially sound. As a business owner, you must understand your numbers – the financial impact, tax implications, and consequences of every decision you make.” What things have you picked up in your career that have helped shape your leadership style? “My leadership style is grounded in a simple belief: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about building relationships, earning trust, and helping others succeed. That philosophy has been shaped and reinforced through my career as an executive, strategic advisor, and corporate director. At S. Howe + Associates, I’m often the person behind the scenes helping CEOs and leadership teams see challenges from a different perspective, anticipate what’s ahead, and identify opportunities they may not have considered. My role isn’t to lead their organization – it’s to ask the right questions, provide an objective perspective, and help leaders make better decisions.”

Do you have any community outreach you’d like to mention? “Giving back has always centered on mentorship for me – through The WICT Network (Women in Cable Telecommunications) and SCTE, and by mentoring young engineers, including students from Cape Fear Community College and other North Carolina universities, as they prepare for their careers.” W

WHO IS ANOTHER WOMAN YOU’VE MET LOCALLY YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT?

Cindy Anderson CEO of Thinc Strategy WILMA

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Jenn Manocchio President of Sweeney 25

PLUGGING IN FA R M E R S M A R K E T S

PARKS AND REC: From sports leagues to the farmers market, a role of town fun

by EMILY GORMAN FANCY | photo by NATE SMITH

ATIE CARUSCHILDERS, longtime town of Wrightsville Beach parks and recreation director, did not initially plan to enter the parks and recreation field. Earlier in her career, she worked for Atlantic Richfield Company and then spent fifteen years as a stay-at-home mother for her three children, a role that she still calls “the best job I ever had.” In 2002, Carus-Childers was ready to reenter the paid workforce. She answered a classified ad in the StarNews for an administrative assistant for Wrightsville Beach Parks and Rec, thinking the job “sounded fun” and that the role’s administrative and organizational tasks mirrored the work she had done previously as a community volunteer. After four years as the department’s administrative assistant, she was promoted to her current role as director. In this position, she oversees everything that falls under the broad umbrella of the Parks and Rec department, from planning programming to managing a range of special events. Every fitness class, sports league, youth camp, farmers market, or event on the department’s packed calendar is planned and organized by Carus-Childers with support from administrative support specialist KRIS THOMPSON. When asked about her favorite thing about working for Parks and Rec, she notes the

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positive environment and the general good mood of the people who use their services. “If you’re coming to do something for recreation, you’re happy. This isn’t the parking office,” she says. A big part of her current job is managing the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market, which runs every Monday morning from May through December. Located on the softball field of the Wrightsville Beach Park, the farmers market features a rotating list of nearly seventy vendors selling everything from fresh, locally-grown produce and baked goods to plants, flowers, and arts and crafts. She handles all of the behind-thescenes work to make the farmers market run efficiently, such as managing vendor applications and conducting vendor site visits. On market day, you can often find her on-site, roaming about, talking to vendors and visitors. “I enjoy getting to know them,” she says of the vendors. “The market is a gathering of the community. It’s fun to go out there and see Wrightsville Beach residents and new people.” The farmers market’s history traces back to former Wrightsville Beach alderman LISA WEEKS, who proposed starting the weekly seasonal event to the town’s board of aldermen. In the first farmers market season in 2009, the market opened on Old Causeway Drive with fifteen vendors, and it has grown exponentially since then. “The farmers market was established to offer local artisans and farms and producers an opportunity to sell their products and give the community a place to purchase fresh, local produce,” Carus-Childers says. The only farmers market on the island, the Monday morning event is popular with local

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residents and visitors. As many as 2,000 people have visited the weekly event, Carus-Childers says, and the average number of people who attend is about 1,400 each week. Additionally, she oversees a wide range of Parks and Rec annual events, including organizing logistics and selling sponsorships. For example, she manages Wrightsville Beach Concerts in the Park, the weekly free concert series held each June and July at Wrightsville Beach Park. Other annual events that she manages include Bark in Park, Movies in the Park, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Carus-Childers says she is currently working on the five-year update to the town’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, which surveys residents about their interests for new programming and events. Previous master plan survey results have led Parks and Rec to add new pickleball courts and specific fitness classes such as the popular tai chi class, among other new additions. Carus-Childers moved to Wilmington with her family from Redondo Beach, California, in 1991. “While we enjoyed being on the coast, we were starting to feel that California was really crowded,” she says. She was drawn to Wilmington because she had extended family living here, and she had vacationed in the area previously. Outside of work, she spends her time with her family, including her husband, her two adult daughters who live in Wilmington, and her son who lives in Asheville. “My oldest daughter and her husband have four children, and I just can’t get enough of them. I also enjoy my early morning workouts at the gym,” she says. She plans to retire in the near future, at which point she says she’ll spend her time “helping chauffeur my four grandchildren to and from school and all of their extracurricular activities,” she says. “And I may switch my 6 a.m. exercise routine to a more reasonable hour.” W 28

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FA R M E R S M A R K E T S

PLUGGING IN

Each issue, WILMA includes a Plugging In directory to help you connect locally. This time, we’re focusing on local farmers markets to shop at and meet the growers and vendors who populate them. Find more listings at WILMA’s sister publication Good Life Wilmington at goodlifewilmington. com. And keep an eye out for future lists about women’s groups and volunteering opportunities. Let us know about your organization by emailing editor@wilmingtonbiz.com.

BIGGERS MARKET Part farmers market

and part community gathering space, Biggers Market, 6250 Market Street and 6458 Carolina Beach Road, is known for fresh local produce, seasonal products, and a lively atmosphere. Many locals stop by throughout the week for fruits, vegetables, and specialty items sourced from regional growers. The market has become a favorite stop for those looking to support local agriculture. INFO: BIGGERSMARKET.COM/ PAGES/VISIT-THE-MARKETS

FARMERS MARKET AT POPLAR GROVE PLANTATION Held on the

grounds of historic Poplar Grove Plantation, this market at 10200 U.S. Highway 17 offers a unique shopping experience. Visitors can browse products from farmers, bakers, and artisans while enjoying a local historical setting. The weekly open-air market on Wednesdays (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) is especially popular during the summer months. INFO: POPLARGROVE.ORG/FARMERS-MARKET

RIVERFRONT FARMERS MARKET

Wilmington’s longest-running farmers market is a favorite among locals for its downtown waterfront setting and wide selection of locally grown and handmade products. Visitors can browse fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, honey, flowers, and artisan creations while enjoying views of the Cape Fear River. The market, 110 Dock Street, has become a Saturday morning tradition (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) for many. INFO: RIVERFRONTFARMERSMARKET.ORG

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WILMINGTON FARMERS MARKET AT TIDAL CREEK Located at Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market, this producer-only market focuses on locally grown food and products from regional farmers and makers. Shoppers will find organic produce, pastureraised meats, eggs, mushrooms, breads, and specialty foods. The year-round market, 5329 Oleander Drive, takes place Saturdays (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) INFO: THEWILMINGTONFARMERSMARKET.COM

CAROLINA BEACH MARKET Produce and artisan

vendors come together on Saturdays (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) around Carolina Beach Lake Park from April to October. Food trucks and drink stands also are often on hand to pick up breakfast or lunch while shopping the booths. INFO: CAROLINABEACH.GOV/201/ CAROLINA-BEACH-MARKET

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH FARMERS’ MARKET Just minutes from

the coast, this market combines fresh produce with local crafts and community atmosphere. Residents and visitors gather each week on Monday mornings (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) to shop seasonal fruits and vegetables, specialty foods, and handmade goods while enjoying the relaxed beach-town vibe. The market, 321 Causeway Drive, has been a Wrightsville Beach tradition since 2009. INFO: TOWNOFWRIGHTSVILLEBEACH.COM/183/ FARMERS-MARKET

ROBYN GODFREY on Finding Your Forward Momentum

ow many of you can spot someone who is leading themselves? You can see it, can’t you?

The way they seem to be one step ahead, prepared, confident. I think one of the biggest myths about leadership is that leadership starts when someone gives us authority. I’ve come to believe leadership begins the moment we decide to lead ourselves. A few years ago, I found myself standing on a treadmill. And honestly, I didn’t think I was having a grand leadership moment. I was out late the night before, burned out, overworked, stressed, and disappointed I wasn’t taking better care of myself. I stared at the treadmill display and asked myself a question. Could I run for just 30 seconds? That small, seemingly inconsequential decision led to seven marathons, including six of the World Marathon Majors, earning the Six Star Medal, writing a book, and eventually standing on a TEDx stage. But none of that was visible that morning when I made the decision to run for 30 seconds. And looking back now, it had nothing to do with running. It had everything to do with leading myself. What I didn’t know then was that those 30 seconds would teach me three lessons: • How to trust myself. • How to choose to move forward before certainty • And eventually how to learn to let go And it all started with just 30 seconds. Before anyone else chooses to follow us, we have to become someone we’re willing to follow ourselves. And that begins with the promises we keep when no one else is watching. I have a feeling (that many of you reading) are very good at keeping promises to everyone else – the client, the team, the family. But the promises we make to yourself? Those are often 30

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the first ones we break. And eventually something dangerous happens. We stop trusting ourselves. Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll start on that next Monday.” “Things will slow down next month.” How many of you have broken a promise to yourself? Me too. Every promise we break chips away at our trust. Every promise we keep becomes evidence that we can trust ourselves. That morning, I wasn’t trying to become a marathon runner. If you had told me someday I would run 26.2 miles for fun, I would’ve thought you were crazy. I was simply trying to keep one promise. And something surprising happened. The next day, I ran again, and I trusted myself a little more; the day after that, a little more. That trust started to grow and entered into other parts of my life. I thought I was learning to run. I was actually learning to trust myself. Trusting yourself begins with keeping promises to yourself. Trusting myself required something extra: choosing courage over certainty. I think we spend too much of our lives waiting. And I don’t mean waiting in line at Britt’s Donuts or waiting for the next season of Bridgerton. I’m talking about waiting until we feel confident, waiting until we have more experience or until the timing is perfect. Leadership often asks us to choose before we’re certain – before we feel qualified, before anyone gives us permission. Mid-career, I found myself working at SAS. If you’re familiar with the Triangle, you know SAS is an amazing employer. For nearly six years, everything looked exactly the way success is supposed to look. I had a cohesive team, a boss who supported me, and I was making money.

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Everything about my job was safe and certain, but there was one problem. I couldn’t shake this voice in my head. It said, “You’re capable of more. “Is this all you want to be?” That realization was terrifying. Because once you’re honest with yourself, you can’t unknow it, and now you have a choice: stay where you are or become someone new. I chose to leave SAS and dove into the deep end of the uncertainty pool at a startup. The plan was to change the world! Instead, it mainly changed my resume as this startup went belly up. Setbacks are part of the process. Those experiences prepared me for the next chapter, choosing to write a book. I had no idea how to write a book. I remembered something a manager told me in my first “big girl” job: “Use the resources around you to bolster your weaknesses.” I found a writing group and showed them my book. They told me to delete chapter 7. I loved chapter 7! Readiness isn’t what comes before action; readiness grows because of action. Choosing to move forward before “ready” is a superpower. What would it look like for you to tap into that superpower? Something I tell the runners I coach is this: Forward is a pace. Running for 30 seconds is moving forward; writing a sentence, choosing the next step is forward. It doesn’t have to be a giant leap or taking a big risk to move you closer to the person you are becoming. It can be as small as 30 seconds. It starts with choosing courage to take the next step. W Editor’s note: “The 30-Second Shift from Within” was the focus for ROBYN GODFREY’s keynote talk at this summer’s WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator. Godfrey, a Best-Selling Author, RRCA Running Coach, and TEDx Speaker, was one of several female athletes and coaches who shared leadership lessons from the world of women’s sports at the conference. Above is an excerpt from her speech at Leadership Accelerator. To hear the full talk, go to WILMALeadership.com.

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Chef Lora Plauche leads a recent cooking class at Little Olive Co.

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FEAST

Hands-On Meals

Jackie Moncada and her husband, Juan, own Little Olive Co. in downtown Wilmington.

Little Olive Co. branches out into cooking classes by LILY CROWDER | photos by MEGAN DEITZ

In 2024, JACKIE MONCADA and her husband, JUAN, purchased and rebranded a small olive oil shop in Wilmington. Though Little Olive Co. has a substantial curation of oils and vinegars, it has become so much more in the two years.

Before endeavoring into the business of dips and other cooking accoutrements, Jackie Moncada has been working in the health and wellness field for over ten years and sees Little Olive Co. as a wonderful addition to any healthy household. “We’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and we love good, healthy food," she says of her and her husband. “The olive oil shop was this perfect thing we weren’t looking for, but we stumbled upon it. Our whole mission now is good, simple food that

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doesn’t have a lot of ingredients.” When stepping into the shop, customers will see one massive wall of olive oil and a separate wall of vinegar. “One of the main things people say when they enter is ‘Oh my gosh, it smells so good in here,’” Jackie Moncada says. While on a regular day, the oils themselves are quite aromatic, if you stop by on a Friday or Saturday evening, the delicious scents may be coming from an impressive meal being cooked. As Little Olive Co. has grown over the past two years, an early decision to integrate cooking classes into the shop has taken it from a store to a community. The shop currently has two chefs: Lora Plauche and Linda Mitchelle “My husband and I don’t have culinary backgrounds, so we knew we had to bring some experts in,” Jackie Moncada says. While seasoned cooks are sure to enjoy the classes, she says they are for everyone. “Our chefs are so passionate,” she says. “If WILMAMAG.COM

you’ve never cooked before, they will walk you through it. It’s a place to have fun and cook at a relaxing, slow pace.” While the cooking classes offer classic Italian recipes such as handmade pasta with honey butter tomato sauce, attendees can sign up for any class that intrigues them – from a parmesan risotto to Polish-style homemade perogies. “We’re always trying out new things … like our Watermelon Poke Bowl this August,” Jackie Moncada says. Another benefit of the class, for both attendees and Little Olive Co., is that the dishes incorporate the shop’s oils, making sampling and recommendations even breezier. The olive oils found in Little Olive Co. aren’t like your run-of-the-mill grocery store oils. Aside from their quality and health benefits, the selection spans from their fused and infused oils, such as one of Jackie Moncada’s favorites, the Blood Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to fun vinegars such as a Lychee Balsamic. They also sell plenty of other goodies – from local teas to cooking tools. In the shop, customers can sample oils, and repeat customers can bring back their oil bottles and receive a 10% discount when refilling. Jackie Moncada highlights the more imaginative purposes of their oils. “If you’re looking for a simple snack item you want to make healthier, we make air-popped popcorn and drizzle our Butter Olive Oil on it,” she says. “There are so many things you can do to be creative with the oil – like a simple grilled fish with orange-fused oil or a simple strawberry salad with a fig balsamic glaze. They perk up so many dishes.” Their website offers not only access to sign up for cooking classes, but a blog which details recipes, olive oil history, and more. As transplants, the Moncadas see the Wilmington community as a perfect place for their business. “People here love good food,” Jackie Moncada says. “We just got into the Riverfront Farmers Market (turn to page 29 for more info about the farmers market), so we’re excited to immerse ourselves in the community even more.” The shop evaluates its products and suppliers across a variety of measures, from the oils’ Ultra-Premium Certification process to polyphenol content, which comes from premium oiling practices, leading to high levels of antioxidants. “As someone in the health space, olive oil has always been a staple in the kitchen,” Jackie Moncada says. “We’ve completely fallen in love with these oils and vinegars, and when we first tried them, we agreed, olive oil and vinegar had never tasted this good.” W 36

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STYLE STYLE

With a

BAG to Match F

inding your perfect match can be easy if you know what you’re looking for. Fabulous? Functional? A hit at parties? Meet you own personal arm candy right here. W

Classic and dependable, lo oking for someone who enjoys walks ar ound town, dinner parties, and small dogs.

Small TOTE available at Island Passage

photos & styling by DREWE AND KATE BRANDING CO. | intro by NINA BAYS

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STYLE Nylon drawstring BAG by Baggu in Mist, available at Edge of Urge

Ready for fun! Seeking same who also loves the water, singing at high volume, and sip ping tiki drinks. Preferably owns a b oat.

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STYLE Sunny Day TOTE by Sun N Sand and star-studded HAT, both available at Aqua Fedora

Can go fr om chill to charged in no time ... Must love reading, coffee shop meetups, and copious amounts of sunshine. No texting please.

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Flower perforated bucket BAG, available at Island Passage

If you love girl’s nights, GRWM TikToks, and recap ping Pr oject Runway, I’m here for you!

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STYLE

Fashion for Sport

Rec Club brings high style from the court to the course

by EMORY RAKESTRAW BOYD | photos by MADELINE GRAY

ince opening Oliver in 2002, KELLY AMATO has had a front row seat to the everchanging fashion and retail landscape. She’s transitioned from exclusively storefront to incorporating e-commerce, expanded apparel categories, and continuously enhanced the in-store shopping experience. Yet she couldn’t help but notice a gap in the market: elevated athleisure. Her answer? Opening Oliver’s “cousin,” Rec Club.

“We noticed more people embracing golf, tennis, pickleball, and an active lifestyle, but there weren’t many places offering elevated apparel that felt both performance-driven and fashion-forward, especially locally,” she says. “We wanted to create a space where customers could find clothing that worked on the course or court but looked just as good grabbing lunch afterward.” Although the idea came to her on a whim, the process took around nine months until Rec Club’s grand opening in May. Both boutiques are in Lumina Station, 1900 Eastwood Road, with Rec Club in the space that formerly housed Ziabird. Amato sourced brands – some familiar and some new to her – designed the storefront and worked to shape Rec Club’s identity. She refers to it as Oliver’s cousin because although it grew from the same roots, Rec Club brings about a distinct personality and vision. Its tagline is the intersection of fashion and sport. Golf, tennis, and pickleball are at the heart of Rec Club’s offerings, but an overarching theme of embracing an active lifestyle appeals to her broad customer base. She describes the storefront as elevated, modern, and welcoming, with a careful selection of brands.

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“A lot of our research came from simply paying attention to our existing customers, to industry trends and to the changing retail landscape,” she says. “We studied closely where sportswear was headed.” Shoppers will find well-known names such as Wilson Sporting Goods, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren paired with boutique labels including Malbon, Greyson, and G/FORE. Amato was not looking for logos but rather standout brands with a clear point of view. Rec Club carries a vast array of items for sport. Beyond men’s and women’s athleisure are accessories for play, including balls, tees, paddles, gloves, and water bottles. There’s also gift items for sports enthusiasts, including games, children’s toys, and even D.S. & Durga fragrances Crush Balls and Golfjazz cologne. “To us, fashion and sport no longer exist in separate worlds. People want clothing that performs well but also reflects their personal style. Rec Club is designed around that idea,” Amato says. “The response has been incredibly positive. There’s definitely some overlap between the two customer bases, but Rec Club has also introduced us to an entirely new audience. We see everyone from avid golfers and tennis players to people who simply love elevated casual style.” When Amato first opened Oliver, fashion retail was primarily an in-person experience; she didn’t introduce an e-commerce component until 2013. Today, Oliver ships not only nationwide, but internationally, carrying brands like Mother, Citizens of Humanity, Veronica Beard, Staud, and Frame. In her personal style, she focuses on quality over quantity, with a wardrobe of timeless, versatile, well-made pieces. This approach has developed a philosophy she applies to Rec Club 42

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and Oliver. Selecting the items she carries in both stores – and her own closet – comes down to a variety of factors. “Fabric is usually the first indicator. This is truly a make it or break it for me. This is another huge reason we take pride in going to New York for market, being able to touch and feel the garments before we bring them in store. A major one is fit. I never want to feel too trendy and lean too heavily into pieces that feel temporary,” she says. “Ultimately, we buy pieces we’d genuinely want to wear ourselves. If something doesn’t feel exceptional in quality, fit, and function, it doesn’t make it into either store.” For first-time customers, she recommends exploring Oliver’s selection of wardrobe staples like elevated denim, a classic white tee, and dresses that transition from day-to-night. Rec Club’s introductions include performance polos, lightweight layers, and athletic dresses. Opening her second business has served as a reminder that while every brand carries its own identity, success comes from building genuine relationships and community. Rec Club has introduced her to a different side of fashion. Events, tournaments, and pop-ups are some of the creative ways she’s leveraged the brand, including participating in community tournaments for a cause, such as Surfers Healing. “Community around sports is not new news. We definitely took that into account and made it one of our biggest priorities with Rec Club,” Amato says. “Sports naturally bring people together, and we’ve found that retail can do the same when it’s centered around experiences rather than transactions. That’s something we’ll continue building on.” W

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Altitude

Attitudes by MOMENT PALMER & JENNY CALLISON

Look up, and there’s a chance you might glimpse one of these women shaping the aviation landscape above Southeastern North Carolina. From saving lives to building an enterprise to training the next generation, these women work in different sides of the industry. They all have one thing in common: At one point, they had their heads in the clouds, and now they’re flying through them.

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Flight Path F

photo by DARIA AMATO

or almost as long as she can remember, MICHELE BOURK’s eyes have been fixed on the sky. Luckily for her, the forces of aspiration, inspiration, and opportunity converged her senior year of high school.

“As a high school senior in Palo Alto, California, in 1987, I was taking a typing class. We were the first class to transition from using typewriters to using this newfangled thing called an Apple Macintosh,” she says, recently recalling her start in aviation as she was finishing up a weeklong Aviation Career Education Camp for area middle schoolers at ILM’s Modern Aviation facilities. Because of her prowess in using a computer, Bourk was offered an internship after graduation at the NASA Ames Research Center at nearby Moffett Federal Airfield. Her job involved using Apple computers to enter research statistics and information. Inspiration loomed just outside her office – in a giant hangar that housed blimps in World War II. “As I stood in the giant hangar on a lunch break one day and saw the amazing NASA ER-2 and U-2 (planes) used in the Space Sciences Division, I knew the time was coming to turn my dreams of becoming a pilot into reality,” she says. Bourk also knew her future had to be grounded in reality, since few women pursued careers in aviation at the time. She enrolled at a local community college, working toward a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. But she also stumbled across the college’s private pilot ground school course and signed up. “Twelve weeks later I’d begun taking flight lessons,” she continues. “By 1993, I’d become a private pilot on my way to advanced ratings while working full time in human resources. That first community college course inspired me in ways I could never have imagined, not coming from an aviation background. I had no idea flying would ever even be an option for me.” Bourk was determined to become a pilot. She also vowed she would find a way to help others achieve the same goal. The late 1990s were pivotal for Bourk. She moved to New Jersey, gained her Instrument, Commercial & Flight Instructor ratings, met her husband JEFF, and became a First Officer flying for a corporate 48

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charter company while he pursued a career in airport management. Their next move – to Portland, Maine – allowed Michele to spread her wings. While Jeff managed the airport there, the couple developed a flight school and aircraft service company in nearby Biddeford, and she began realizing her dream of helping young people learn to fly. The next stop on the Bourks’ flight path was Branson, Missouri, where Jeff Bourk began building the nation’s first privatized airport. Michele Bourk, choosing to ground her aviation career to take care of the couple’s two young children, established the Branson Humane Society and headed it up, while getting involved with the local Civil Air Patrol. A new job opportunity beckoned: In 2022, Jeff Bourk became executive director of Wilmington International Airport. Although no longer together, the couple still work closely to support the area’s aviation community. Michele, together with his ILM team, developed the nonprofit ILM Aerospace Foundation to give local young people the opportunity to learn about and pursue careers in aviation. Soon after, she met members of Cape Fear Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, and, with grant support from the New Hanover Community Endowment, in August 2024, they launched aviation programs at CFCC’s Castle Hayne campus and on-site at Ashley and Laney high schools. Noting that aviation is an expensive field to enter and compete in, and that women are still vastly underrepresented in commercial aviation’s leadership positions, she champions CFCC’s brand-new Aviation Management and Career Pilot associate degree programs as an accessible entry point. “With my instructor position at CFCC in Castle Hayne,” Michele Bourk says, “I hope to have an impact and to teach students that anyone can pursue their aviation dreams, even women from underserved communities or without any aviation background.” W

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Life Line W photo by CHRISTOPHER WARREN

c/o Novant Health

hen JESSICA NATIONS was a junior studying exercise science at East Carolina University, she thought her future was in physical therapy. Then a family tragedy changed everything.

Nations’ eleven-year-old brother suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck in the head by a baseball. He was airlifted to the hospital, underwent two emergency surgeries, and coded twice in front of their mom. After finishing her degree at ECU, Nations immediately began pursuing her nursing degree. She got into an accelerated nursing program and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lynchburg University in a year. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” says Nations, who is now an AirLink medical helicopter flight nurse based locally with Novant Health. To become a flight nurse, Nations had to have at least three years of ER or ICU experience – she chose the emergency room – and had to pass the Certified Emergency Nurse exam. Flight nurses also complete numerous hours of in-house training and yearly clinicals. She started flying last June. “The first time flying was very nervewracking, but different situations come into the emergency room all the time, so you’re kind of geared towards that – but that’s what I love about it,” Nations says. Although stressful, Nations says her very first flight is her most memorable. “It was a burn patient we took to UNC, and I felt like, I finally made it, you know? I finally get to do what I’ve been meaning to do – help save lives, like the people that saved my brother,” she says. A typical day for Nations and her team

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includes meeting and checking in with her partner, who is a critical care paramedic – or flight medic – and their pilots. They look at the weather, discuss how they’re feeling, and check the helicopter to make sure they have everything and are ready to go. Their day is usually anything but typical. They could get an inner facility call, where a patient is being transported between hospitals, or a call to a scene. “Calls can be anywhere – if there’s a fire, a shooting, a drowning, anything – we will coordinate with the LZ (Landing Zone) command, which is typically fire, and they’ll set up a location that’s safe for us to land,” Nations says. AirLink operates twin-engine Airbus 135 and 145 helicopters that are equipped for many emergency situations, including intubating patients. “There’s a stretcher, and then we have all of our equipment, so it’s pretty tight back there,” Nations says. “We are equipped for anything, though. We’re critical care; we’re an ICU in the air.” Nations and her husband, who is a flight medic and does the same job, enjoy time in the water with their two children when they’re not in the air. Nations’ plans include flying as long as she can, but she’s also open to working with her feet on the ground in the future. She’s been in school pursuing her nurse practitioner’s degree for the past year and is thinking about going into trauma services as an NP. W

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Full Throttle J photo c/o High Tide Aviation

ESSICA WARD, founder and CEO of High Tide Aviation, first flourished in the film industry after graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2006 with a degree in film studies. She spent her twenties building a successful career as a camera assistant, but long before movie sets and television productions, there was one moment that stayed with her. “When I was six years old, I took a helicopter ride at the state fair, and it was one of those moments in your life that you remember forever,” she says. “I’ll never forget seeing the fairgrounds from up above. It was just so magical.” Private helicopter lessons are expensive, so she saved her money and eventually set aside enough to earn her private pilot certificate while working on a TV series in Oregon in the summer of 2010. “Over the next couple years, I would fly and continue my training whenever I had an opportunity, which was usually when I was traveling for work out west,” she says. Ward earned a scholarship from Whirly-Girls, the Association of International Women Helicopter Pilots, and completed her commercial pilot certificate in 2012. The following year she became a helicopter flight instructor. After realizing there were few helicopter flying jobs in Southeastern North Carolina, she knew she had to do something if she wanted to keep flying while living in the Wilmington area. “There was a void in the market as far as access to helicopters for either flight training or air tours or anything,” Ward says. “I thought, if the job that I really want – my dream job – doesn’t exist, I’ll just create it. So that’s what I did.” Ward began operating and training students at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Southport. She put together a business plan, found financing, purchased her first helicopter, and officially opened for business in January 2014 – all while still working part-time in film. In 2020, she decided to go back to school – this

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time for business, to help her develop the tools to grow her company – and earned her executive MBA from Duke University. While pursuing her degree, Ward also decided to open her second location in St. Simons Island, Georgia. She splits her time between North Carolina and Georgia and works with a team of twenty-four full- and part-time employees across both states. High Tide Aviation specializes in helicopter and airplane pilot training as well as providing aircraft rentals, flight instruction, and aerial tours – both scenic and for surveying. Gender reveals have become a popular request, where a colored powder is released from the helicopter or airplane while in flight. Over the next two years, Ward plans on expanding the business into aircraft maintenance, aircraft brokerage, and private charter flights. When Ward isn’t busy operating and growing her business, she’s busy with her six-year-old daughter and two-month-old baby boy. She credits being a business owner and the flexibility of both her schedule and finances with her quality of life and being able to be a mom. “I have known for many years I wanted to be a mom. When I decided to start my own business, that was before I had children and a family to consider, and I was able to take more financial risks,” she says. “But I knew that I wanted to have a family one day.” Ward’s favorite part of her job is introducing aviation to people, especially children, who have never had access or the opportunity to experience it. “It’s so impactful and rewarding,” she says, “to be able to see their reaction, experience that joy with them and share that with people for the first time.” W

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photos c/o FedUp Foods

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WOMEN TO WATCH

AWARDS

MEET THE 2026 WILMA WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS FINALISTS AND THE WILMA ICON AWARD RECIPIENT THEY REPRESENT LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS AND THE COMMUNITY. Read more about the thirty-six women on the following pages to learn more about why the judges selected them out of hundreds of nominations and applications that came in this year. In this issue, we introduce this year’s finalists in arts, business, education, health, nonprofit, public sector, and rising star. The rising star category is the only one with an age description and is open to those under thirty. The women will be honored at the awards event September 11, where the winners also will be announced, and this year’s WILMA Icon Award recipient, Wilma Daniels, will be honored. For more on the finalists, including extended versions of their interviews, go to our website at WILMAmag.com. Congratulations to this year’s group.

THE JUDGING PROCESS

AWARDS BRACELET:

Each year, WILMA opens up the nominations process for the Women to Watch Awards during the spring. Our judging panel – made up of leaders who sit on WILMA Leadership’s advisory board as well as outside guests – met to pick the finalists and winners in each of the seven categories. WILMA would like to thank the judges for volunteering their time and expertise on the awards.

Wanda Coley Heather Davis Denise Foat Katie Gloe Amy Grant Pam Hardy Alexis Hunter

Sheri Leavens Tracey Newkirk Tammy Proctor Ruth Ravitz Smith Cara Stretch Karen Weaver

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PHOTOS:

CREDITS

THE JUDGES

This year’s awards bracelet is by Kristin Wood (localsummerjewelry. com) and Instagram: @ localsummer_jewelry

Madeline Gray

HAIR + MAKEUP: Anna Woodall Lee

LOCATION: Azalea Station 1502 Castle Street, Wilmington

ICON AWARD PRESENTED BY

Community Ties

Meet this year’s WILMA Icon honoree Wilma Daniels by VICKY JANOWSKI | photo by MADELINE GRAY

Like her late business owner husband, Daniels has both a ready helping hand and a heart for service. Windell Daniels’ involvement with the Wilmington Housing Authority and concern about homelessness led the couple to purchase, in 1998, an entire block on Meares Street that included the former William Hooper School. They converted the property into the William Hooper Apartments, offering 50 units of affordable housing for older adults. Wilma Daniels took over and continues to serves as president and CEO of Daniels Development Company. Education is also close to her heart. A Williston High School and Shaw University alum, Wilma Daniels served on the CFCC Foundation board. She also served eleven years as a trustee for the University of North Carolina Wilmington and chaired the trustees board for two years. Having grown up in a musical family, Daniels says she taught music for many years, helping children discover their own gifts through her philosophy of “Yes, you can.” And she has enjoyed helping build the confidence and skills of girls and young women from underserved neighborhoods, sharing her belief, “You can do anything you want to do. Make up your mind and stay focused. “I used to go into the housing projects and pull out some of the girls and do a reception for them, bringing in professionals from the city – women from different fields,” she continues. “They talked to the young ladies, made them feel good about themselves. Unfortunately, everybody’s so busy now, we don’t have those services. Those girls are not getting the attention they need, so we are losing them. The same for the young guys; they need mentors who will make sure they have the tools they need to grow their interests.” W -Jenny Callison contributed to this story.

ILMA DANIELS’ stamp can be found around Cape Fear Community College’s campus.

It can be found at the school’s former Hanover Art Gallery, which in 2013 was renamed the Wilma W. Daniels Art Gallery in recognition of her longtime support of the college. Wendell Daniels Hall, named after her husband, is a 700-seat ballroom that sits atop CFCC’s Union Station building. The first event held there: her son, EURAN’s, wedding. “That was so special, and even when they announced it was going to be named after my husband, that was shocking,” Wilma Daniels says. “So, I could really go on and on and on because there’s so many things that happen here at Cape Fear Community College that touched my heart, and it still touches my heart.” But beyond a concentrated few blocks downtown, the Daniels family’s connections extend throughout Wilmington – especially from Wilma Daniels. Over the years, she’s given her time and many talents to an array of groups – from the YWCA Lower Cape Fear to Wilmington Business Development to the local chapter of the American Heart Association. She has helped shape numerous others – like the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington – even when her busy schedule kept her from accepting a board position. Daniels has long blazed a trail as a Wilmington change agent, but Windell’s heart attack death spurred her into accelerated action. “My husband passed away in 2008 with a massive heart attack,” she says. “He left behind him a legacy that I’m very, very proud of.” 58

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Arts

M A RCY M CA N I NCH Owner, Riverwalk Glass

JAYA KAN DASA MY Director of Youth Development, DREAMS Center for Arts Education Describe your role and work that you do. “As director of youth development, I champion every DREAMer’s journey – supporting innovative curriculum and empowering our vibrant teaching artists. I work to ignite curiosity, encourage bold creativity, and build a space where young people and artists alike feel fearless to explore, express, and transform challenges into triumphs.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Before joining DREAMS, I was a fulltime artist and teacher with a background in child and adolescent mental health. My journey began as a volunteer, grew into a teaching artist role, and ultimately led me to become director of youth development – all while teaching.” What inspired you to start creating art? “My grandmother is not only an artist but a true inventor. She sews, draws, cooks, and gardens at the master level even though she only attended school until the eighth grade. When she couldn’t find fabric for my baby clothes that matched my mom’s outfits, she would take apart my mom’s clothes and put them back together seamlessly with fabric to spare for me. When she couldn't find paint, she would use coffee grounds. She stone grinds all of her curry powders and concocts her own plant food. She still inspires me to this day!”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “I create stained glass designs and bring them to life with glass, copper, and solder in my home studio. … I also teach others the exciting process of making stained glass art.” How do you hope to make an impact through art? “I want to make glass pieces that inspire me but also make something that someone might hang in their home or office and be able to enjoy in the sunlight – maybe make them smile when they look at it. I also would love if I could inspire someone to pick up the art of stained glass the way I did by teaching them in a small local classroom. … Stained glass is said to be a dying art. Hopefully introducing the art form to a younger generation may keep the interest alive and kicking.” What themes/issues are most important in your work? “I love the ocean. I gravitate towards water and ocean themes, which reflect in my color choices and designs. But I also love using bright colors – the more bold the better! Sometimes the pattern or color of glass may even dictate the design or inspire a piece, whether it is a swirly colorful piece of Oceanside Fusers Reserve glass or a Florentine starburst pattern of Wissmach cathedral glass.”

ERIN SU LLI VA N

Owner & Creative Director of Center Stage Studios

S UM M E R MC P H ER S ON

LI LLI SUM M ERS

Owner & Director, Wilmington Latin Dance

Describe your role and work that you do. “As owner, it is my honor and responsibility to uphold the essence and values of WLD (Wilmington Latin Dance) throughout our classes and events, creating a space that is fun and inclusive for our students and attendees. As director, I create/ co-create courses and workshops that allow our students to enjoy their learning journey. I host events and collaborate with local businesses to create spaces for the community to come together and experience the joy of Latin dancing.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “We have created amazing memories over fourteen years! I will never forget standing on the deck of the Battleship North Carolina, looking at the sea of dancers at our event, Port City Salsa Splash. Working with the production team, actors, and dancers of (feature film) Merv was exhilarating. Hosting Island Parties – a unique dance adventure. My favorite highlights are when students share how WLD has made a positive impact in their lives; it fills my heart.” What themes/issues are most important in your work? “Celebrating and sharing Afro-Latin music and dance is meaningful to WLD. It both expands us as individuals and brings us together as a community. Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment is very important to us. Our teams love to have fun, and it shows in our approach to teaching. Getting people to laugh and have fun while learning is the best!”

Lead Instructor, Shoot Like a Girl

Describe your role and work that you do. “I am a solo arts entrepreneur of my boutique performing arts studio. I coach ages seven years-plus in whatever focus of the performing arts the student desires – everything from audition preparation, to working on the material for a show they booked, to vocal growth, acting, dance and movement, college audition preparation, self-esteem and confidence, and helping navigate the industry as well as Wilmington’s very busy theatrical community.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “I have been incredibly blessed to have performed in so many remarkable shows over the course of my career. Playing Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway national tour of Hairspray was a highlight! In 2015, I was cast to portray Marilyn Monroe in a new play written and directed by Tony Awardwinning playwright Mark Medoff. … I then fell into the hands of a group of NYC producers who encouraged me to pen and star in my own one-woman show about Marilyn that I performed around the country. The crowning moment was when I was brought home to perform on the main stage of our exquisite Thalian Hall – the stage I had grown up on, in my hometown. Being back in Wilmington, getting to perform locally, every show I am cast in, is a gift.”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “In my everyday life, I am a photovideographer and storyteller, but during the summer, I have the privilege of leading the Shoot Like a Girl program where we teach high school girls how to be filmmakers. We offer the tools and guidance for directing and camera that provide them the confidence and knowledge to produce professional music videos for female-fronted bands. I teach girls how to listen to their intuition, trust one another, and execute their vision with professionalism and enthusiasm.” What themes/issues are most important in your work? “Women are the through line for all my work. I am a mere reflection of all wthe women who raised me, who taught me, and who inspired me; therefore, their stories and issues are the focal point of everything I contribute.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “As of July, we’re editing our SLG music videos to premiere at the Wilmington Underground Film Festival in October. I’m in pre-production for my first feature film, and we’re already prepping for Shoot Like a Girl 2027! Aside from the future goal posts, I’m most excited to learn and listen; every day is a new opportunity to ask someone a question. When we listen, we understand.” 63

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FALL 2026

Business

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Business 66

LAUR EN GO DWI N Head of AI Enablement, Vantaca

M I NA CAR EY CEO, Coastal Dental Health Staffing Describe your role and work that you do. “As owner of Coastal Dental Health Staffing and Coastal Dental Assisting Academy, I connect dental professionals with practices in need while helping educate future dental assistants. I lead business operations, build lasting partnerships, mentor my team, and create opportunities that strengthen both careers and communities. My mission is simple: serve people with integrity, compassion, and excellence.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Growing up in Afghanistan, I learned early what it meant to have very little voice as a woman. Education, independence, and owning a business were not easy paths for women. Those experiences shaped me and gave me a deep appreciation for every opportunity I have today. When I came to the United States, I lived in New York and Massachusetts before finally making Wilmington my home. I was welcomed by a community that believed in me. … I have never forgotten where I came from. Today, many women and girls in Afghanistan are still denied the chance to go to school, follow their dreams, or even speak freely. Their strength inspires me every day to do what I can to support education and create opportunities for others. I believe we all have a responsibility to lift one another up.”

WILMA

FALL 2026

Describe your role and work that you do. “I currently lead AI Enablement at Vantaca, a community association management software company. I am a founding team member and served as chief customer officer until moving fully into building our AI strategy, partnering with our engineering team to design, govern, and scale AI agents across teams, while translating what’s technically possible into real business outcomes.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Before Vantaca, I led an accounting team at a CAM company through fast growth and partnered to stand up a separate Accounting Services business. At Vantaca, I’ve been part of our growth from zero to over 350 employees, wearing every hat along the way, and as CCO grew our customers from zero to over 500. Most recently, I stepped into a brand-new AI Enablement role, learning everything possible and helping navigate the company through change.” What have you learned about your leadership style? “I lead by example and never ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I genuinely care about people – my team, my peers, our customers, the kids I coach in basketball – and I listen to them while motivating them to be better than they think they can be. I want to see people grow, and I’ll help however I can, wherever that shows up.”

M EGA N ROWE Founder, What’s Good

KRISTI N P EOP L E S

LAUR I E WHA LI N

Director of Member Relations & Engagement, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Describe your role and work that you do. “I help businesses build meaningful connections that support growth and long-term success. I onboard new members, connect them with strategic resources, cultivate partnerships, and create networking opportunities that strengthen our business community. Whether through events, relationshipbuilding, or collaboration, my work is centered on helping people and organizations thrive together.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Some of my proudest career highlights include personally onboarding more than 300 new chamber members each year, increasing engagement within our African American and Latin American Business Councils, being recognized as an ACCE 40 under 40 Recipient, along with serving on the DREAMS Center for Arts Education Board of Directors, cochairing the NC Project Lead White Lotus Gala, and of course being selected as a WILMA Woman to Watch. The greatest reward has been creating connections that open doors, strengthen businesses, and positively impact our community.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Beyond my professional role, I am passionate about community service, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others. I believe success is measured not only by personal achievements but by the impact we have on those around us.”

President, Novant Health Coastal Region

Describe your role and work that you do. “What I actually do can seem like a mystery. Most people recognize me from the local media and influencer side of What’s Good, but that’s only part of my role as co-founder. Running that media arm is what fuels our software: I use those onthe-ground insights to shape the product, identify our SaaS opportunities, and build our B2B go-to-market, growing it to roughly 20 government and media deals.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “At twenty-three, I was on the founding team of a creative agency. By twenty-three, I’d helped raise six figures for our software. By twenty-six, I led the company to revenue positive. By twenty-seven, my work had been recognized across 13 outlets, I’d supported 100-plus small businesses, built a local ecosystem of 90,000 people, and partnered with some of Wilmington’s most influential organizations to support the local economy and culture.” How did you get to this point in your career? “My path here started by accident. I asked to shadow a friend in marketing, but her boss thought it was a job interview, and I got offered a position. That pivot led me to a creative agency, then to cofounding What’s Good from a gap I saw firsthand in the community. Also, my mom owned her own business for thirty years in a then male-dominated profession, and innovation and creativity were always heavily encouraged in my family.”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “As president of Novant Health’s Coastal Region, I provide executive leadership for regional strategy, operations, clinical quality, financial performance, workforce engagement, and community partnerships. I work with facility presidents, physician leaders, and regional executives to ensure exceptional patient care, sustainable growth, operational excellence, and improved health outcomes throughout our coastal community.” How did you get to this point in your career? “By saying yes to opportunities whenever they presented themselves. I learned early on that I had amazing mentors and leaders in my life for a reason – and if they saw something in me that I may not have seen in myself at that moment – that I should trust them, and so far, they have not let me down.” What have you learned about your leadership style? “That leadership is a team sport, and my leadership style is to go all in on the team. My leadership mantra is to build high-performing teams that change the world. After teams win the Super Bowl or World Cup, you look back on them and realize just how special they were to be able to achieve such greatness. And most of the time it was because they had a team-first mentality to achieve one mission. That’s the team I am building.” 67

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FALL 2026

Education

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Education 70

LEN EI CE R I CE Program Manager, Coastal Community Healthcare Fellowship, UNCW & CFCC

PAM BI GGS

Principal, Codington Elementary School

What are some of your career highlights so far? “In my twenty-ninth year in education, I bring experience as an elementary, middle, and high school educator, including eighteen years in the classroom and eleven years in school leadership. I held National Board Certification for twenty years, completed the NCPAPA Distinguished Leadership in Practice program, and was recently named a finalist for New Hanover County Schools Principal of the Year. These experiences have shaped my commitment to leading schools where students and educators thrive.” Why are you passionate about education? “School was my favorite place as a child, and I want every student to experience that same sense of belonging, encouragement, and possibility. I’m passionate about creating a school where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to dream big, no matter where they come from or the challenges they face. Every child deserves to walk through the school doors each morning knowing they are loved, they belong, and their future is full of possibility.” If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? “I would tell my younger self to believe in the impact of one person’s influence. Every student, colleague, and family connection matters. The moments that stretched me the most became the experiences that shaped me as an educator and leader.”

WILMA

FALL 2026

Describe your role and work that you do. “I created and lead two collaborative healthcare workforce initiatives serving UNCW and Cape Fear Community College that strengthen the future of healthcare in Southeastern North Carolina. My work spans K-12 career exploration through professional practice, bringing together education, healthcare, and community partners to create opportunity.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “In just over a year, I have built and expanded healthcare workforce pathways that have reached more than 1,000 students from K-12 through college, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Highlights include being named a 2025 WilmingtonBiz Top 100 Connector, growing iHPSS fourfold, earning national recognition for my resilience research and workforce initiatives, being selected as a Leadership Wilmington class member, and receiving UNCW’s 2026 Soaring Seahawk Award for service excellence.” Why are you passionate about education? “Education is where possibility begins. As an educator, mentor, and parent, I am passionate about creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to become who they are meant to be. My work is rooted in positive psychology and the belief that every person has unique strengths and potential waiting to be discovered. When we invest in learners, we don’t just change individual lives – we strengthen families, communities, and the future we share.”

D ELI A STA N LEY Digital Literacy Specialist, Cape Fear Literacy Council

K EIS H A RO B I N S ON

A NN E STOH L

Founder and Co-Owner, Stevenson Stohl Suzuki Studios/Violinist, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

Special Programs Manager, Communities In Schools Cape Fear Describe your role and work that you do. “During the summer, I direct our local Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School, which is a highenergy, six-week, literacy program that emphasizes culturally relevant pedagogy, youth empowerment, and community advocacy. During the year, I manage a grant that supports teachers and schools by providing classroom supplies and incentives to assist educators in creating a classroom culture without the use of their personal finances.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “I’ve worked for Communities In Schools Cape Fear for the better part of a decade – over eight years. I received the 40 Under 40 (Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s award) in 2021. I assisted in launching our area’s first CDF Freedom School in 2020, and I’ve directed it since then.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “I am truly grateful for my entire village of family members, colleagues, students, and friends who lift me up daily. They have carried me when I thought I could not continue the journey, and for that I feel so blessed. Community, communication, and connection mean so much to me and are always at the forefront of all that I do.”

Describe your role and work that you do. “I run the Digital Literacy Program at the Cape Fear Literacy Council, creating and curating curriculum and community resources, hosting labs, classes and workshops, and collaborating with nonprofit partners in New Hanover County to bridge the digital divide and provide free access and education around technology, devices, and digital skills.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Working with Pastor Meg, another one of the nominated Women to Watch (see page 77 for Nonprofit finalists), on The Real Homeless Herald has been an amazing collaboration. The publication is written by people who are experiencing homelessness or have in their past, highlighting a voice from the streets that’s often unheard even when the town continues to make decisions that affect our unhoused friends and neighbors.” If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? “Keep going! You’re gonna do everything you want, and no one can stop you!” Anything else you want us to know about you? “I’m also a Wilmington musician, and you can find me playing all around town on the weekends!”

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What are some of your career highlights so far? “The greatest highlights of my career have not been performances; they’ve been my students. Watching former students become teachers, professionals, parents, and thoughtful adults is incredibly rewarding. I’ve celebrated students performing as concerto competition winners with the Wilmington Symphony and watched hundreds of children find confidence and their own voices through music. Seeing them grow into remarkable people is the accomplishment I’m most proud of.” Why are you passionate about education? “When I first started teaching, I thought I would simply be teaching violin. What I didn’t realize was that I would also become a mentor, encourager, confidant, and sometimes just the person a child needed that day. The scales can wait. A child’s emotional well-being sometimes can’t. My passion for education is that I am able to touch children’s lives.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Both of my daughters are now professional musicians and are performing and teaching young aspiring musicians, and my niece is graduating next year with a degree in music therapy. It is a gift to see them all doing what they love and making an impact on future generations.”

WILMA

FALL 2026

Health

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Health

CHA R I N HA N LON VP of Medical Education, Novant Health Coastal Region

E L I ZABET H BUSK I R K Pediatrician, Wilmington Health What are some of your career highlights so far? “It is very rewarding to help families throughout all the stages of raising children. From navigating the stressors of caring for a newborn, to completing that same child’s sports physical when they’re a teenager, establishing relationships with my families is a major highlight. It feels like we grow together. Because of this connection, when challenges arise, there is a bond already established; this helps put families at ease during hard times.” How do you impact people? “I impact people in a variety of ways: supporting good health, treating medical and psychiatric problems that come up, and acting as a stable, supportive presence during the roller coaster of raising children. As a pediatrician, I don’t just treat diseases, but I promote healthy habits to help prevent the conditions that can arise over time. This may be with nutritional guidance, vaccine counseling and administration, or helping adolescents navigate our increasingly virtual world.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “A current project is helping Lower Cape Fear LifeCare develop a pediatric palliative care program. It will be the only program in Southeastern North Carolina. I work three days a week at Wilmington Health, so I am able to raise my daughter Claire, serve on the board of Good Shepherd Center, volunteer with refugee families, volunteer as a camp doctor, and now embark on this new journey with palliative care and reach some in the greatest need.”

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FALL 2026

Describe your role and work that you do. “I am responsible for 109 physicians in training at Novant NHRMC as well as all the faculty who provide their education. In addition, I am responsible for developing and implementing new healthcare training programs and ensuring all are fully accredited. I like to say that I help build the doctors of the future.” What sparked your interest in health? “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of thirty-six and unfortunately passed away due to progressive cancer at forty-two. We lived in very rural West Virginia and had little access to care. Her general practitioner initially dismissed her breast lump because of her young age. Her journey really highlighted the need for highly trained physicians, close to home. That need was the impetus for my career not just in medicine, but medical education.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Medicine has historically lacked strong female mentorship. I consider it part of my duty and privilege to also serve as a mentor to women in medicine. Learning to harness your self-confidence and be bold can be challenging. I find it can change a female trainee’s confidence simply by quietly pointing out they should look me in the eye when they share their plan.”

K EBR I NA R EDD Family Centered Treatment Coordinator, Coastal Horizons Center

CARY RA MSAY

MA R I A DE LO UR DES ST URCH LER

Owner & Therapist, Roots and Branches Counseling PLLC Describe your role and work that you do. “I’m a licensed clinical mental health counselor at Roots and Branches Counseling in Wilmington. I provide individual and couples therapy. I also offer small group therapy and training on a variety of topics. My work focuses on families of autistic and neurodivergent kids, adults healing from trauma, women navigating life transitions, and couples rebuilding connection.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Over the years, I’ve founded an educational program for impoverished girls in Ethiopia, worked with an amazing team in an HIV project in Ethiopia, served on the board of directors for Love Justice International, and built trusting relationships with survivors of human trafficking through the years. I’ve also coached dozens of families preparing to move into international ministry roles, helping them navigate the transition overseas.” What sparked your interest in health? “For decades, I’ve worked with people in all kinds of capacities – teaching, coaching, cross-cultural ministry, and trafficking survivor support. Through it all, one thing became clear: People need a safe place to process their experiences and struggles. A mentor eventually pushed me to pursue licensure as a therapist, and that nudge is what brought me here – turning years of walking alongside others into a career built around it.”

Describe your role and work that you do. “I’m dedicated to helping families build stronger, healthier relationships, and empowering clinicians to provide compassionate, high-quality care. As a licensed clinical social worker and family centered treatment coordinator, I mentor and support therapists, promote best practices, and work alongside families to navigate challenges, strengthen resilience, and create lasting, positive change in their lives and communities.” What sparked your interest in health? “I am passionate about advancing health by promoting mental wellness, strengthening families, and improving access to quality behavioral healthcare. As a yoga instructor, I bring a holistic perspective to my work, helping individuals build resilience, reduce stress, and connect mind and body.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Beyond my professional accomplishments, I am a devoted parent who understands the importance of resilience, compassion, and strong support systems. I actively contribute to numerous professional and community organizations, where I continue to learn, lead, and serve others. These experiences strengthen my commitment to mentoring future leaders, advancing behavioral healthcare, and creating lasting, positive change for individuals, families, and the communities I serve.”

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Founder & Medical Director, J2V MD Wellness & Aesthetic Institute/ Senior Medical Director of Inpatient Palliative Medicine and Hospice, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Describe your role and work that you do. “I consider myself a physician leader, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to improving quality of life for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. … I lead clinical and strategic initiatives that advance compassionate care, workforce development, healthcare quality, and innovative wellness solutions.” How do you impact people? “I make an impact through both compassionate patient care and leadership. As a physician, I strive to deliver exceptional care that improves quality of life for patients. As a leader and educator, I am passionate about helping others discover and develop their unique strengths, build confidence, and reach their full potential.” What sparked your interest in health? “From a very young age, I felt called to a career in health and medicine. I was fascinated by the human body, an extraordinary machine whose complexity sparked my curiosity and love of science. That passion ultimately led me to medicine, where I have the privilege of caring for patients, advancing learning, and helping others thrive.” 75

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FALL 2026

Nonprofit

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Nonprofit 78

KA R M EN CUST ER

Executive Director, Hope Harbor Home Inc.

TANYA D. AR M OU R Chief Philanthropy Officer, Novant Health Foundation Describe your role and work that you do. “Leading a team of professionals that build trusted relationships with individuals, corporations, families, and family foundations who are committed to enhancing healthcare in the lives of individuals in our region through philanthropy.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Like my father, who led a community nonprofit, I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work in a job that allows me to help make an impact on the lives of others. I am deeply grateful to follow in his legacy of service.” What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work? “Knowing that philanthropic commitments to our health system help to advance innovation and access to health services for our communities.” What are you most passionate about? “Offering access and exposure to people to provide them an opportunity to become aware of possibilities they may not have imagined or thought would be possible for themselves.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “I am grateful for my family and close friends – especially my husband who is an incredible encouragement to me.”

WILMA

FALL 2026

What are some of your career highlights so far? “Since joining Hope Harbor Home in 2014, I have served twelve years, becoming executive director in 2019 at age twenty-eight, the youngest in organization history. I was named Brunswick County’s Future 10 in 2021, a 2023 Woman of the Year finalist, and led Hope Harbor Home to two consecutive Community Impact Awards. This year, I secured a contract to build Brunswick County’s first purpose-built domestic violence shelter, expanding hope, safety, and services for future survivors.” What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work? “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that every day I have the opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. Having experienced domestic violence myself just a few years before joining Hope Harbor Home, I understand what it feels like to believe you’re alone and not know help exists. Today, I get to be the voice I once needed, helping survivors find safety, hope, and the confidence to rebuild their lives. Now, as a mother, that purpose is even greater. I have the privilege of raising a daughter who will never have to discover her worth through hardship because she’ll grow up knowing her voice matters, her strength is unwavering, and she is capable of overcoming anything.” What are you most passionate about? “I am most passionate about educating our community on the realities of domestic violence and breaking the misconceptions that often surround it.”

M I R EYA LUP ERCI O Staff Psychotherapist, Community Counseling Center

E M I LI E HART

M EG M CBRI DE

Regional Director, Catholic Charities Describe your role and work that you do. “As regional director for Catholic Charities’ Cape Fear Region, I have the honor to lead a dedicated team of eight serving five counties through food services, disaster services, immigration legal services, and emergency assistance services. Together, we combat food insecurity, support individuals experiencing homelessness, rebuild lives after disasters, and help families navigate legal pathways to immigration status.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “I’ve had the privilege of growing our regional office from a 900-squarefoot space into a 10,000-plus-squarefoot community resource center, exponentially expanding both services and impact. I helped lead our community’s recovery after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence and have been called to support disaster recovery efforts in other communities.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Being a social worker isn't just what I do, it’s who I am at my core. Long before it became my profession, it was how I moved through the world. As a shy child, teenager, and young adult, I often found it easier to help others find their voice than to use my own. That instinct never left me. I believe hope is a verb. It means showing up, listening first, leading with an open mind and an open heart, and recognizing that people are the experts in their own lives.”

Pastor, Hope Recovery UMC/Executive Director, The Warming Shelter ILM

Describe your role and work that you do. “I am a bilingual mental health therapist providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to adolescents and adults navigating a diverse range of mental health concerns. … Beyond therapy, I engage in community collaboration, mentorship, and nonprofit leadership to improve access to behavioral health services.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “The greatest highlights of my career have been the opportunities to serve beyond the therapy room. I have been honored to serve on nonprofit boards and community advisory councils, where I help shape initiatives that improve health and wellbeing. It has also been a privilege to represent my community by speaking at the YWCA USA 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women … advocating for equity, mental health, and the voices of underserved communities.” What are you most passionate about? “I am passionate about creating spaces where people feel they truly belong. Whether I’m sitting with a client during one of their hardest moments or advocating for equitable access to care in the community, I want people to know they matter. I am especially passionate about reducing stigma around mental health, uplifting underrepresented voices, and helping others discover the strength they already possess.”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “At Hope Recovery UMC, our mission is to create spaces of hospitality and healing to service our neighbors. We accomplish this task by offering our church building on Winston Boulevard as a gathering place for the recovery community and other groups seeking connection. Additionally, we work in the streets helping to alleviate the suffering of persons experiencing homelessness by hosting a winter overnight shelter that offers warmth, comfort, and safety on Wilmington’s coldest nights.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Highlights are founding and directing a respite home for homeless hospital patients that offered a time of recuperation free of charge. In eighteen months, my team assisted seventy-two guests with hospitality, compassion, and connection to resources. Secondly, is the publication of The REAL Homeless Herald ILM, a street newspaper written by and about the important topics and perspectives of persons experiencing homelessness. In October, we will celebrate one year of publication!” What are you most passionate about? “My passion is for creativity in all ways: art, music, drama, and words – especially poetry! … I am curious about and inspired by creative practices that draw out ways in which we can better understand ourselves, others, and our world through the abstract and endless possibilities.” 79

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FALL 2026

Public Sector

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This category recognizes women who work in the area’s public service sector – public safety agencies, local and state government, military, etc.

Public Sector 82

KA M EKO HOWELL Sergeant, Wilmington Police Department

JA N E H OR R E L L Budget Analyst, New Hanover County Describe your role and work that you do. “I liaise with assigned departments to ensure we’re being the best possible stewards of taxpayers’ dollars. I’m their internal customer service representative – helping them create their yearly budget requests, managing their approved budgets throughout the year, creating and reviewing their performance measures, etc. Our goal is to maximize their funding to provide our very best to our community.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “In recent years, I’ve had the privilege to organize and host multiple Brewing Budgets events in various locations around New Hanover County. These events are casual opportunities for citizens and/or coworkers to chat and ask questions of the budget team. The feedback we’ve received has been very positive, and it’s been such fun to be able to connect with citizens and receive their input.” What impact do you make in the community? “I work for New Hanover County, but my family and I live here, too. I feel strongly that everything I do is for my community, and I’m mindful of the contribution I’m making. It’s such an honor to be able to contribute to the county’s amazing legacy projects – new parks, museum, libraries, etc., all make New Hanover County a premier place to live.”

WILMA

FALL 2026

Describe your role and work that you do. “I am a sergeant with the Wilmington Police Department. I serve as an internal affairs investigator with the Wilmington Police Department, where I conduct administrative investigations, review use-of-force incidents, vehicle pursuits, and citizen complaints, and ensure compliance with department policies and professional standards. My role requires fairness, discretion, accountability, detailed documentation, and a strong commitment to maintaining public trust and strengthening the organization.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Promoted to corporal in 2018 and sergeant in 2024, I have been fortunate to serve in several specialized assignments, including the Marine Unit, Radio Team, Peer Support Team, and Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums. I am honored to be the recipient of the 2025 NCLEWA President’s Award and a two-time, first-place winner with the Public Sector Band Category at the Scotland County Highland Games. Giving back to the community has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Through PAL, Cop Camp, Santa Cop, and other community engagement initiatives, I have had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the people we serve. One of my greatest passions is serving with Pipes and Drums. Whether honoring a fallen officer, supporting a grieving family, or celebrating a special occasion, I am grateful to use music to bring comfort, pay tribute, and represent my department with pride.”

CH RI ST I E S CH R ECKENGO ST Project Manager, Town of Leland

PAIGE LUN D B ERG

H I LLA RY TAYLOR Long-Range Planner, City of Wilmington

Nutrition Services Program Manager, New Hanover County Senior Resource Center Describe your role and work that you do. “My role with New Hanover County is to oversee the implementation of all nutrition services authorized under the Older Americans Act. As a public health professional, my career has evolved around the intersection of strategic planning, health promotion, program development, and collaboration across local government, public health, and nonprofit systems.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “In 2023, I was recognized for my work in youth injury prevention with the National Association of Counties Award for a vaping prevention program I designed, as well as the Safe Kids North Carolina Coalition of the Year Award, and was offered the opportunity to present this work at several conferences. Most recently, I’ve had the honor of co-authoring a chapter on program planning that will be published in a health education manual in 2027.” What inspires you to do public sector work? “I have deep empathy for people who need just a little extra support to navigate life’s challenges. We all face seasons where circumstances feel overwhelming, and sometimes the smallest act of kindness or assistance can make the greatest difference. Public service gives me the opportunity to help create those moments of hope and stability.”

Describe your role and work that you do. “Currently, I am serving in the role as project manager for the town of Leland overseeing the town’s capital improvement projects, as well as managing maintenance, developer, stormwater, resiliency, and grant projects for the town. I am well-versed with federal and state grants, involved with the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on various projects.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “My ultimate career highlight is retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard with over twenty years of faithful service to the nation. I have served as the Senior Reserve Officer for Sector North Carolina in Wilmington for the last four years, where I oversaw the training and readiness of 150 reservists across the entire state.” What impact do you make in the community? “My impact on the community is in the infrastructure that residents and visitors use every day. Recently, the town finished the construction of the Ocean Gate Plaza Roundabout project. … I worked closely with developers, town council, NCDOT, and local businesses to install a teardrop roundabout. After many years of design, permitting, and construction, that project is complete and the intersection is operating safely for all users.”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “As an urban planner for the city of Wilmington, I engage residents to help shape long-range planning initiatives, including the Greater Downtown Plan and Comprehensive Plan update. I also support Wilmington’s LEED for Cities certification and co-manage the city’s Resilient Coastal Communities Program, which identifies disaster vulnerabilities and develops strategies to strengthen community resilience.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “One of my proudest career highlights has been helping shape Wilmington’s recently adopted Greater Downtown Plan and developing the city’s neighborhood planning framework to support future planning efforts. Before joining the city of Wilmington, I worked with UN-Habitat, where I worked on resilience planning initiatives and helped develop guidance for integrating urban resilience into National Urban Policies across the Asia-Pacific region.” What inspires you to do public sector work? “My background in international development instilled the mindset to ‘think globally, act locally,’ and public service allows me to put that into practice every day. I’m passionate about making the community I live in a better place by supporting both people and the environment here at home, while considering how local best practices can contribute to broader global sustainability efforts.”

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Rising Star

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This category is open to women under the age of thirty.

Rising Star 86

J ENNA CO SENT I NO Marketing Coordinator, Thomas Construction Group

KAT I E BLACKW E LL Executive Administrator of Community Engagement, paws4people foundation Describe your role and work that you do. “I oversee community engagement, volunteer initiatives, and strategic partnerships that advance our mission. As a member of our events team, I help plan and execute fundraising and community events that increase awareness and support for our organization. I also connect individuals, businesses, and organizations with meaningful opportunities to get involved while coordinating programs that strengthen relationships and expand our impact.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Some of my greatest career highlights have been representing paws4people alongside the MrBallen Foundation at the EVAWI Conference, collaborating with incredible community partners and working directly with our clients and their service dogs. I’ve also enjoyed helping plan and execute our fundraising events with our amazing team. Above all, the greatest highlight has been being part of the paws4people family and contributing to a mission that changes lives every day.” What’s a future goal? “My goal is to continue growing as a leader while helping paws4people reach new levels of impact. I hope to build lasting community partnerships, strengthen volunteer engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for others to support our mission. As I continue learning and taking on new responsibilities, I want to help ensure that more individuals with disabilities have access to the life-changing support of an assistance dog.”

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Describe your role and work that you do. “I manage digital media, events, branding, and marketing strategy in the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. Outside of work, I run Cosentino & Co, my own creative marketing agency, and host a podcast about building your life and becoming your best self. I also create social media content that helps women build confidence, shape their mindset, and grow through discipline, style, and selfimprovement.” What’s a future goal? “One of my future goals is to continue growing my podcast, Better Than Yesterday, with hopes of becoming one of the top podcasts in its space. I want to use it as a platform to inspire and help women understand that no matter your age, you can go after what you truly desire and build the confidence to do it. Alongside that, I plan to keep growing Cosentino & Co!” Anything else you want us to know about you? “I’m someone who believes hard work truly pays off, and that you don’t have to choose just one passion to be successful. Between my career in marketing, hosting my podcast, and building Cosentino & Co, I’ve learned that growth comes from pushing through challenges, not avoiding them. My mission is to inspire women to build the confidence, discipline, and mindset to go after the life they truly want, without letting anyone else's opinion hold them back.”

SUSA NNA H SPRAT T Mobile Market Manager, Feast Down East

GAB RI E L LA DE S O U ZA

CLELI A T U F TS

Consumer Horticulture Agent & Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, N.C. Cooperative Extension Describe your role and work that you do. “I coordinate the state’s largest EMG volunteer program – 200-plus active volunteers – run our Plant Clinic, manage the Nature at Home habitat certification program, co-chair the Cape Fear Native Plant Festival, and produce Cape Fear Gardening for WECT.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “Leading the thirty-ninth annual EMG Plant Sale, our largest fundraiser, raising over $80,000 to support extension’s educational programs, community grants, and college scholarships; spearheading the establishment of the first volunteer association-funded Extension Master Gardener endowment in the state with a $50,000 founding gift; automating administrative tasks for our Nature at Home program by writing JavaScript code, and co-chairing the eleventh annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival.” Anything else you want us to know about you? “Outside Extension, I own The Plant Ecologist, a science brand that educates the public through art and social media, offering scientifically accurate pins and stickers of native Southeastern U.S. species across the country and in Canada. I hold an M.S. in biology from UNCW and am currently pursuing a postgraduate certificate in horticultural science at NC State.”

Describe your role and work that you do. “I oversee and coordinate all activities related to our Mobile Farmers’ Market, which travels to eighteen locations around the Cape Fear region providing access to fresh, locally-grown foods to our community. In this role, I also manage programs like Fresh Bucks, our SNAP matching program, Food Rx in partnership with Novant Health, and our Senior Voucher programs. All of these programs aim to ensure accessibility and affordability for our underserved communities.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “One of the biggest highlights was launching our Food is Medicine initiative, Food Rx. I was initially hired at Feast Down East to design, implement, and manage this produce prescription program, where patients would be ‘prescribed’ a voucher for healthy foods from our Mobile Market. Since launching in October 2023, it has been adopted at five locations across New Hanover and Pender counties, and we have served close to 1,000 patients experiencing food insecurity and chronic conditions. Through data analysis efforts, we have seen improvements in health outcomes and metrics such as reduced ED visits and reductions in no-shows for appointments. This program aims to integrate the concept of food as medicine into traditional healthcare systems and create healthier communities.”

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Children’s Library Associate, New Hanover County Public Library Describe your role and work that you do. “I support families and children in New Hanover County through library programs and services. I lead weekly storytimes that build early literacy through talking, reading, writing, singing, and playing, and I run schoolage programs that spark STEAM learning and creativity. I collaborate with community partners on large-scale events to expand children’s access to opportunities.” What are some of your career highlights so far? “In April, I was awarded the Smart Start Children’s Champion Award for my work with families with children ages 0-5. I also brought STEAM programming to our library system through Science Story Hour and a Lego Robotics program, and my April 2024 Solar Eclipse program was featured by the State Library. Yet my true career highlight is the relationships and community I’ve built with NHC families – everything I do, I do for them.” What’s a future goal? “This December I will earn my Master of Library Science. Combining this education with my professional experience will fuel my continued growth in the field, and I am excited to put it into practice. Having benefitted so much from the leadership around me, I am eager to apply what I have learned to lead future generations. I also intend to build stronger community connections that expand access to enriching experiences for families and children.” 87

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Seaside Inspiration

Kristin Wood restarts her jewelry line, this time with coastal influences by STEPHANIE BOWENS | photos by TERAH HOOBLER

ocal jewelry designer KRISTIN WOOD has been designing jewelry for many years, and her latest jewelry brand, called Local Summer Jewelry, gives customers a chance to wear a beautiful piece of summer and the beach year-round. Wood launched Local Summer Jewelry in 2025. Its jewelry features elements such as freshwater pearls, mother-of-pearl, waterproof metals, shells found along the beach, 14k gold-filled metals, and cast pendants with designs inspired by sea animals. “This collection is inspired by my life growing up and living on the coast and raising our daughter by the ocean,” says Wood, who describes her style as “eclectic.” “I love to make pieces that are simple enough for everyday wear yet have the ability to wear out at night or to an event,” she says. “I specialize in necklaces, which I love for their versatility.” Wood said that since January she has been using a lot of phys90

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ical vapor deposition (PVD) materials. PVD refers to a vacuum-coating method, which Wood says is “more environmentally sustainable than typical plating methods.” She designs pieces using 14k-18k waterproof, tarnish-free, and hypoallergenic gold PVD. “While the rising cost of gold was a challenge, pivoting to the PVD process allowed me to create affordable, high-quality pieces that people can wear while swimming and diving into summer without worry,” Wood says. Her jewelry can be purchased online and in local boutiques such as Tusc and Coharie Coastal Boutique. Wood also says she enjoys connecting with customers by selling her jewelry at local markets such as Satellite Bar & Lounge’s Second Sunday Market and festivals such as Ocean Fest, where she says a portion of sales is donated to protecting the ocean. “Meeting customers directly and explaining the durability of these newer metals is incredibly fulfilling,” Wood says. She traces the beginning of her interest in jewelry design to promising feedback about jewelry she made for herself years ago. She was also inspired by jewelry she saw from countries around the world. “My passion for jewelry design began when I couldn’t afford a piece I liked, so I made my own earrings,” she says. “The immediate interest from others encouraged me to start creating. I also draw inspiration from my late father, a documentary filmmaker who brought home beautiful jewelry from his world travels as a way to remember special moments.” A native of the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach area, Wood moved to Wilmington in 2004 for a career in wine distribution. In 2010, she launched a fashion brand called He and Me, which focused on wrap-around scarves. But after a severe car accident, which Wood says ended her career at the time, she began focusing solely on jewelry. “During my recovery, sketching and creating became a way to bring light into a dark time,” she recalls. She launched Kopious Jewelry in 2012, a fashion jewelry brand Wood says featured “bold, bohemian statement pieces.” Wood’s jewelry from the Kopious brand was featured on Project Runway, in O, The Oprah Magazine, on runways, and in multiple local stores. “Those experiences were wonderful and taught me a lot about what can happen when one faces adversity yet still goes after what they love,” she says. Wood describes her current brand, Local Summer Jewelry, as a new beginning. “Local Summer Jewelry is a fresh start, after a ten-year hiatus since our daughter, Savannah, was born in 2015. I took this break because my studio space became her nursery,” she says. “It was a challenge to stay organized without a dedicated creative space, but I’ve since built a new studio in our new home.” Wood says she enjoys what she does. “The most rewarding part is returning to my life as a maker and seeing people’s reactions to wearable art,” she says. Wood said new collections will debut every March and September. Wood is the designer of this year’s WILMA awards bracelet, which will be unveiled at the Women to Watch Awards event. Each year, WILMA selects a local jewelry designer to design a bracelet for the award winners. Still under Kopious, Wood designed a bracelet that served as the award for winners in 2017. “Designing for the Women to Watch awards was and is an incredible honor,” Wood says. “I feel a connection to any woman that goes after what they love with drive and determination. They are an inspiration to us all and are most certainly to be celebrated!” W

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SCENE K-Town Karaoke co-owner Kyra Tebo Faina sings in one of space's private booths.

ONE MORE SONG

K-Town Karaoke brings singing and New York vibes

by SAMANTHA KUPIAINEN | photos by MADELINE GRAY

at the corner of North Front and Grace streets in downtown Wilmington alongside JUSTIN SMITH and BRADLEY BAREFOOT, whom she met while working at YoSake. Smith and Tebo Faina worked at YoSake, while Barefoot was a “massive regular” there. Barefoot worked with Smith in the theater space for more than ten years and also worked at one of his restaurants during the pandemic. He later became the marketing director at Opera House Theatre Company under Smith’s leadership. K-Town, 275 North Front Street, is set up with four soundproof, private box-style karaoke rooms, allowing guests to have a private and comfortable space to sing and have fun. Each room has an iPad with access to more than 59,000 songs, microphones, LED lights, and spa seating. “The whole entire bar is a love letter to New York City,” says

or the greater part of ten years, Wilmington-based restaurateur KYRA TEBO FAINA lived in New York City and studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy on the Upper West Side. The Indiananative sang, acted, and even wrote and performed a musical at a local comedy club with her best friend while also waiting tables on the side. Tebo Faina eventually closed her New York City chapter and moved to Wilmington in 2013 after that friend relocated to the area, too. She started waiting tables at YoSake and managed the sushi restaurant for a long time before it eventually sold. Fastforward to September 2025, and she opened K-Town Karaoke

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Tebo Faina. “ I wanted it to feel like the ’70s. It’s a lot of graffiti, and all the rooms are in a line, and they make a fake subway train.” The way the karaoke rooms work is that each person is charged per hour. Rentals typically last an hour or two. “It’s basically just like a little party in a box,” she says. “You go in, and you have your own TV, your own setup. You can sing as much as you want back-to-back with your friends.” In addition to karaoke rooms, its bar can seat fifty people and serves up popular specialty-themed shots for different occasions, such as the bachelorette and birthday-themed shots. Since opening, the bar has catered to a variety of groups, including birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and company parties. The karaoke room rentals have recently gained popularity for kids’ parities, too. “When you order a themed shot like a Wicked shot or the Heated Rivalry as examples, you’ll receive a costume or prop piece, and we pause the karaoke to play music associated with your shot, and you get a lot of interaction from the bartenders and the DJ,” Barefoot says. “This might include funny quips from the bartender, a bubble gun in your face, flashlights swirling, but really the possibilities are endless.” Tebo Faina admits that the idea of opening a karaoke bar

and having it operational seven days a week “seemed like an overwhelming idea” at first. When all is said and done, she describes karaoke as having “been in my blood forever” and describes it as a family business of sorts, having an uncle and father who’ve worked as karaoke DJs. As the one-year mark approaches, K-Town Karaoke has been a hit, and multiple customers have inquired about the bar possibly expanding to other locations in North Carolina, too. “A lot of karaoke bars are really high-end and have a lot of fancy lights,” Tebo Faina says. “I didn’t think that that fit the Wilmington aesthetic. I think a lot of people go into K-Town, and it feels so comfortable. They’re like, ‘OK, yeah, I’ll sing.’ It ends up feeling like you’re just at your friend’s house. That’s how I wanted it to feel.” Some of the biggest feedback that Tebo Faina is receiving is the desire for another location toward Raleigh and the universities that are situated in that area. “Because it’s working so well and because there aren’t that many of these, everybody that’s been to K-Town and loves it, they’re like, ‘Why isn’t there one of these in Chapel Hill? Why isn’t there one of these in Raleigh?’” she said. “We’ve had several people email us about opening one in Raleigh, and I want to, so we’re looking right now at spaces.” W

Amy Chapman

Angel Rivera

Kyra Tebo Faina

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DIRECT MALE

Plain English I’M SCOURING THE GARAGE, LOOKING IN VAIN FOR THE CLEANING RAGS.

and violating the trusted rules that govern clear, coherent communication. If we talk used cars, which we do often, I’ll say something like, “I seen one the other day, nothin’ but a hunk o’ junk. I ain’t got no money to throw away on a car that ain’t been took care of.” “I know the one you’re talkin’ about,” Danny will say. “I’ll bet it ain’t seen been serviced since Nixon was in the White House. The old thing’s wore out. Transmission whines like a spoiled young ’un.” “There’s probably possums sleepin’ under the hood.” “With all the fumes comin’ out of that motor,” Danny will say, “them possums ain’t sleepin’.” We hang up after 40 minutes of that kind of talk, and I see Judy shaking her head. “It’s like you’re a different person when you talk to him,” she says. “I don’t understand a word you say.” “Well,” I reply, “I guess Sampson County is a long way from Royal Berkshire.” “A very long way,” she says.

“They’re right there,” my wife says. What I hear is, “Theh roit theh.” She’s British. “Right where?” “Roit theh, in the cubbahd.” Now I’m looking for a cupboard, something like a pantry, and I’m wondering why anybody would stick a cupboard in the garage and store the cleaning rags alongside the Oreos and Folger’s. Or, in our case, the McVitie’s Digestives and Twinings Assam tea. She’s that British. Frustrated, I throw my arms out. “I don’t see a cupboard,” I say. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “It’s that black cupboard, right there, in the corner.” Cubbahd, roit theh, in the cohnah. All I see is a black tool cabinet, the kind that rolls. I’m not from England. I’m from Sampson County, North Carolina. “You mean this thing here?” I say. “Of cohse,” she says. “The cubbahd. The rags ah in theh.” Indeed, that’s where the rags are. Right in the Craftsman tool cabinet, known at my house as a cupboard, pronounced cubbahd.

•••

The English she speaks took shape across thousands of years of development and population movement to arrive at Celtic society. Then, in 55 BC, the Romans showed up. They were followed by the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings, the Normans, the Flemish, the Danes, the Scots, the French, and probably some others. Alas, that’s a lot of foreign languages. Mix them up through countless generations of intermarrying and more moving around, and finally Old English came along. Even then, it was a far cry from today’s English. If people didn’t comprehend something, they said, “Iċ ne understande.” I’ll bet they said that a lot. As for my English, I suppose it came about through her English, along with the influence of Native Americans and Africans and whatever Europeans wandered into Sampson County. Filter that through 250-plus years of dirt farming and barely traveling more than a few miles from home, and you have me talking to Danny about used cars while my wife rolls her British eyes. The only word she and I share is “boot” to refer to the trunk of a car. I have no idea why, but I grew up with that. Until I met Judy, it was my only British English.

•••

It’s that accent of hers. Brits can say anything, and it sounds pretty. I’m convinced that all Judy would have to do is speak, and she could get out of a traffic stop or snag a full refund for something she bought and used ten years ago. Her accent is beautiful: clean, elegant, ridiculously English. And often, it’s impossible to understand – well, not the accent so much as the words that come through it. The first couple of times she mentioned using a sahspun, I had no idea that she meant a saucepan. A piece of kitchen roll, I’ve learned, is a paper towel. A beaker is a drinking glass. Jim-jams are pajamas. Soft drinks come in alyu-minium cans. When she does something sharpish, she means she doesn’t waste time. If someone is on the boil, they’re angry. If they’re pottering around the house, they’re doing small jobs and taking it easy. Pants are a problem with the British. To them, pants are underwear. Shorts are underwear, too. Smalls are also underwear. When they mean pants, they say trousers. And when they mean soccer, they say football. I’ve been told more than once to get that straight.

•••

When you marry someone, you commit to the whole person, including the way they speak. Now, at our first anniversary, we often find ourselves in a familiar place: I say tomAYto; she says tomAHto. (The same goes for potatoes and potahtoes.) We finished our vows with a kiss, which Judy calls a snog. Then we started off toward our future, the pair of us speaking our two distinct Englishes while we learn a language all our own.

•••

Please don’t misunderstand me. Judy’s turns of phrase are as English as afternoon tea, and I’m not saying she talks funny. Her voice has roots in the outer reaches of London, the received pronunciation, as it’s called. It’s not at all like the flat Brummie sound of Birmingham or the nasal Souser of Liverpool. England has around forty accents, each one unique and local. Everybody has an accent of some kind, of course, and our natural voice can tell others where we grew up. Every time I get on the phone with my buddy Danny, who lives up in our hometown of Clinton, I hear myself head for the country and talk like the old me, the real me, shifting into double negatives

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by TIM BASS | illustration by MARK WEBER

Tim Bass is a retired creative writing teacher and journalist. He lives in Wilmington. Mark Weber is a Wilmington-based artist and illustrates WILMA’s monthly Direct Male essay. weberillustration.com

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TAKE

by LYNDA VAN KUREN photo by PEYTON ZINO

as a fractional COO for small- and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits opens the door to serving many different industries while allowing me to continually learn and meet new leaders.”

ALISON BARINGER, the former director of the North Carolina Azalea Festival, recently embarked on a new business venture. This June, she founded Salt & Rally, a fractional COO and operations strategist firm. In her new role, Baringer helps businesses grow by providing essential support such as building sustainable operating systems, assisting with strategic planning, and coaching staff. However, the professional advantages

WHY IS WILMINGTON A GOOD MARKET FOR A BUSINESS THAT

PROVIDES OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP? “The same things that

make Wilmington such a wonderful place to live also mean many leaders are wearing a lot of hats. Between growing businesses, serving on boards, raising families, and enjoying this amazing place we call home, it’s easy to lose momentum on the tasks that promote both growth and sustainability. A fractional COO comes alongside leaders to support operational leadership, systems, accountability, and momentum while helping them get back to focusing on the parts of life that matters most.” DO YOU PLAN

that come with opening Salt & Rally only tell part of the story. Baringer says she now has the freedom to spend more time with her family. Though Baringer admits that going out on her own can be intimidating, she says she is ready and eager to take on the challenge.

TO EXPAND YOUR CLIENTELE BEYOND THE WILMINGTON AREA?

“Absolutely. I’m excited to work alongside inspired business owners, executives, and nonprofit leaders wherever they are. Technology makes it easier than ever to serve organizations remotely while still building strong relationships, and I’m excited to see where that leads.” You hold leading volunteer positions in several organizations. WHY IS VOLUNTEERING IMPORTANT TO YOU? “I firmly believe in putting yourself in new environments as often as you can. You never know where your next opportunity, best friend, hobby, mentor, or life-changing conversation will come from. Surrounding yourself with new people and new experiences expands your perspective in ways you can't predict. To me, that’s one of the best ways to live a full life.” W

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TRANSITION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

“For freedom and flexibility. For fruitfulness. For faith. To me, freedom is the ability to build something that is mine. Flexibility is the ability to design my life around what matters most. Fruitfulness is about producing something good from what I’ve been given and blessed with – and even bearing fruit from painful experiences. And faith. I’m not naive. I know entrepreneurship is hard. But stepping into this role is also stepping into faith that something good will come from it.” HOW DID YOU DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES YOU WANTED YOUR BUSINESS TO OFFER? “I actually leveraged AI. I uploaded my resume, LinkedIn

profile, volunteer experience, leadership roles, and skill sets, then asked it to suggest careers that would allow me more flexibility to be with my daughter. It came back with several ideas, but I couldn’t get past the first one: fractional COO. Working 100

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ALISON BARINGERS ’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Leadership email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

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