L E A D E R S H I P A W A R D S
PRESENTED BY
ABOUTUSSUZIE BLACKMAN SYNERGY WINSTON-SALEM
Suzie Blackman is the founder of Synergy Winston-Salem, a vibrant fitness and wellness studio built on the principles of community, authenticity, and mindful movement. With a background in sociology and psychology, Suzie has always been drawn to what connects people- how movement, conversation, and shared experience can create belonging. Synergy’s roots trace back to 2019 with The Sweat Series WS, an outdoor fitness and yoga community Suzie launched to bring people together through movement. Synergy Winston-Salem opened in January 2023.
PHOTO: CAMERON SPEAKS, LIKEWISE MEDIA
ABOUTUSFLORIAN BRAUN ZIEHL-ABEGG,
INC.
Florian Braun serves as Managing Director of ZIEHL-ABEGG North America, overseeing operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He has been with the ZIEHLABEGG Group for more than two decades, progressing from Project Engineer in Germany to senior leadership roles including National Sales Manager, Sales Director, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Florian relocated to the United States in 2012 to support the company’s North American expansion and has since played a key role in establishing ZIEHL-ABEGG as a trusted partner in ventilation, control, and drive technology across the region.
ABOUTUSZACH BURICK D.S.
DUGGINS WELDING INC.
Zach Burick is the President and Owner of D.S. Duggins Welding Inc.
Zach began working for the company in 2013 as a general laborer while still in college at UNC Charlotte in the school of engineering.
From there, he took on additional tasks such as Project Management, Daily Operations, and was involved across all aspects of the business.
Zach bought the company in October of 2021. Since the acquisition, Duggins has tripled their revenue, doubled their team members and equipment, and are continuing to grow. Zach has also started 2 other companies, WesWy Beard Co. and Echelon Apparel. He and his wife Nicole have twin boys.
PHOTO: MEGAN BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOUTUS DR. OWEN BUSSEY
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC.
At Reynolds American, Dr. Bussey has spent over a decade driving innovation as an analytical chemist while leading volunteer efforts through the Reynolds American's Community Commitment campaign and environmental initiatives like Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful. Owen serves on the United Way Board and has led Emerging Leaders United, supporting causes such as SECU Family House and the Winston-Salem Open. He also mentors students at Guilford College, sharing his expertise in plant-based research. He has a PhD in Medicinal Biochemistry from UNC Greensboro.
ABOUTUSCOLE CLARK ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST
Cole is Director of Strategic and Clinical Initiatives at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, where he leads transformative programs to improve clinical outcomes, quality, safety, and efficiency across the market. He supports the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nurse Executive, ensuring alignment with strategic and operational goals.
Since joining Atrium in 2016, he has held progressive leadership roles, beginning as a Surgical ICU nurse and most recently serving as Business Administrator for Radiology. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Biology, and Spanish, and an MBA in Health Administration.
ABOUTUSJAZMIN CLARK UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Jazmin A. Clark is the Assistant Dean of Campus Life at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she provides strategic oversight for Residential Education, Campus Activities, Student Organizations, and the Fitness Center. She is also the founder of Fierce Impact Consulting, LLC, a leadership development firm focused on onboarding strategy, team building, and staff retention. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Education at UNC Chapel Hill, Jazmin is passionate about cultivating welcoming spaces where people know they belong and building strong, empowered teams.
ABOUTUSKELLINA DJANFA WANTEU
WS TODAY - 6AM CITY
Kellina was born in Cameroon and moved to the US at the age of 13, where her family settled in Washington, DC. As a WStoday editor, she's crafted over 100 stories showcasing the impact of local businesses and helps promote community involvement through highlighting local events. Kellina is part of the Reach Women's Network which seeks to elevate the voice of women and close the gender equity gap in the workforce. She volunteers with LEAD Girls, NC and helped mentor middle school girls in classrooms. She is also a recent graduate of the City of Winston-Salem University where she explored how to be an active citizen in the community.
PHOTO: RAMON L.
ABOUTUSKELLY GARVIN
CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM
Kelly Garvin is the Assistant Director for the Winston-Salem Department of Transportation (WSDOT), where she oversees the Winston-Salem Transit Authority’s (WSTA) operations, route planning, and service delivery, focusing on expanding mobility options, improving efficiency, and promoting equitable access to public transit across the region. With a career dedicated to advancing transportation mobility, Kelly has led efforts to plan and implement quality transportation improvements, managed the Winston-Salem Area Transportation Planning Organization funding allocations, and ensured compliance with FHWA and FTA regulations.
PHOTO: CHRISTIAN COLEY
ABOUTUSJOHN-LEWIS GODFREY HUBBARD
REALTY
John-LewisGodfreyistheChiefOperatingOfficerofHubbardRealty,where hehasledcommercialandresidentialdevelopmentinitiativessince2013.In thisrole,heoverseesdevelopment,management,leasing,andsalesteams whilemanaginganofficeoftwentyfull-timeemployees.Hisexpertisespans workingwithlocal,regional,andnationalbuilderstodevelopneighborhoods throughoutthePiedmontTriad,repurposingobsoletecommercialbuildings, andprovidingfinancingtoindependentbuilders.AgraduateofUNC-Chapel HillwithadegreeinEnglishLiterature,John-Lewishasbeenalicensedreal estatebrokersince2012.Hisdedicationtotherealestateindustryhas earnedhimnumerousaccolades,includingthe2024RealtoroftheYear fromtheWinston-SalemRegionalAssociationofRealtorsandtheNorth CarolinaRealtorsRegion6ServiceAward.
ABOUTUSKYLE HANEY
FORSYTH COUNTY
Kyle is a dedicated public servant, working for Forsyth County government since 2013. As Deputy County Manager he oversees a wide range of departments and is focused on ensuring they provide outstanding service to residents of the County while using tax dollars efficiently to make the County a great place to live. His portfolio includes emergency services, cultural and recreation, community & economic development, and environmental management departments as well as the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. Kyle completed his undergraduate education at Wake Forest University and his master’s in public administration from UNC Chapel Hill. In his time outside of the office he enjoys spending time with his wife and two-year-old daughter and doing anything outdoors.
ABOUTUS DR. CHRISTOPHER HINTON
THE ACADEMY NETWORK OF WS
Dr. Christopher A. Hinton, PhD, MBA is a purpose-driven educator, scholar, and strategist whose work bridges leadership, education, and organizational development. He currently serves as Chief of Staff and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at BarberScotia College and Chief Operating Officer of The Academy Network—a consortium of seven 5-star early learning centers advancing excellence in early childhood education in WinstonSalem. Founder and Chairman of The Hinton Foundation, he also serves on multiple nonprofit boards advancing education, the arts, and community development. Recognized among the “40
Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad,” Dr. Hinton continues to champion education as a transformative force for leadership and social change.
PHOTO: HIGH RESOLUTION MEDIA
ABOUTUSMEGAN HOYT REACH WOMEN’S NETWORK
Megan Hoyt (she/her) is the Executive Director of REACH Women’s Network, a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic development and promoting gender equity in the workplace. She is also the owner of her own consulting practice working with organizations that are committed to supporting adolescent mental health and civic engagement. Megan has over a decade of experience in nonprofits as a fundraiser and in higher education as a networking and career coach. As a macro social worker, Megan is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in her professional roles and personal life.
Her husband, Cody, is the co-owner of Mrs. Pumpkins, a veteranowned business that supports local groups with chicken pie fundraisers.
TIFFANY JONES MAGNOLIA ROOTS CONSULTING, LLC.
Tiffany Borne Jones is an Operations Strategist, Fractional Director of Operations, and founder of Magnolia Roots Consulting. She partners with service-based CEOs who want to grow their businesses without being buried in the details, helping them strengthen operations, streamline systems, support their teams, and improve profitability. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, Tiffany brings a practical, client-focused approach to creating structure and clarity in how businesses run. Tiffany also coaches business owners and facilitates workshops on business strategy, systems, client experience, and team leadership. Before launching her firm, Tiffany spent over a decade in healthcare operations.
PHOTO: JODI BRIM PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOUTUSETHAN KING HOPE DEALERS OUTREACH
Ethan King is a visionary non-profit leader, public educator, and dedicated philanthropist in Winston-Salem. As the Executive Director and Board Chair of Hope Dealers Outreach, he has directly impacted over 4,000 families in marginalized neighborhoods through vital community service. King is a driving force in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, focused on accelerating underrepresented entrepreneurs with a focus on women, people of color, and marginalized business districts. He also champions community health, notably through "Paint the Town Pink W-S, NC," raising funds for free breast exams for low-income women. A committed educator, King founded the SURGE youth development program and serves as a full-time substitute teacher with WS/FCS.
ABOUTUS DR. DAVID KLINE
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Dr. David Kline is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science in the Division of Public Health Sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He teaches in the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention and the Department of Statistical Sciences. Dr. Kline’s research is focused on developing biostatistical methodology to overcome challenges in public health surveillance and address key problems in population health and epidemiology. Currently, his work primarily focuses on the intersection of HIV and substance use.
ABOUTUSJAI’LYN LOVER
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
Jai’Lyn Lover serves as the Assistant Director of Behavioral Intervention and Professional Development at Winston-Salem State University, where she fosters a culture of care, growth, and belonging among students and staff. Beyond her work in higher education,
Jai’Lyn is the founder and visionary of Unfiltered Photography, a business dedicated to capturing authentic beauty and inspiring selfconfidence through visual storytelling. Extending her mission of advocacy and impact, she established the Hidden Figures Freedom Fest, an annual Juneteenth celebration providing a vendor-style festival experience for the homeless population in Winston-Salem. The event offers visibility, dignity, and community connection through local resources and entertainment.
ABOUTUSMELISSA MCKINNEY BLANCO TACKABERY
Melissa received her B.A. in History, cum laude, from Davidson College and her J.D., cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law. At Blanco Tackabery, her practice focuses on wealth transfers, estate and gift tax advice, and charitable planning as well as trust and estate administration and fiduciary litigation. Melissa has experience counseling clients with a variety of matters including multigenerational family planning, business succession planning, asset protection planning, and more. She also develops and coordinates the summer associate program for law students. Outside of the office, Melissa serves as the Vice Chair of the Forsyth Tech Foundation, is a member of REACH Women's Network, and is a graduate of Leadership Winston-Salem.
ABOUTUSSTEPHANIE MILES
IV SMILES HYDRATION & WELLNESS
SMITH’S PRIMARY CARE & WELLNESS
Stephanie S. Miles is a dynamic nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to redefining healthcare access and wellness in Winston-Salem. As founder of IV SMiles Hydration & Wellness and Smith’s Primary Care & Wellness, she has built innovative, patientcentered practices that combine preventive medicine with personalized care. Under her leadership, both clinics have flourished—expanding services, creating jobs, and providing affordable, high-quality care to hundreds of patients across the Triad.
ABOUTUS LIS MULCAHY
TRULIANT FEDERAL CREDIT
UNION
Lis Mulcahy, AVP of AI Program Delivery at Truliant Federal Credit Union, has built a dynamic career in financial services spanning digital innovation, branch leadership, and Artificial Intelligence. A collaborative, strategic leader, she connects technology, operations, and member experience to drive transformation. Over the past seven years at Truliant, she’s helped shape the organization’s digital and AI strategy to enhance service and efficiency. Lis holds degrees from North Carolina A&T State University and Wake Forest University and serves on the Winston-Salem Police Foundation Board.
ABOUTUS REV. KENNETH PETTIGREW
YMCA REACH CENTER AT WINSTON LAKE
The Very Rev. Kenneth A. Pettigrew leads the YMCA REACH Center at Winston Lake, an innovative partnership hub advancing health equity, economic mobility, and academic achievement across East Winston. Under his leadership, the REACH Center has become a model for community collaboration, uniting organizations such as Novant Health, Goodwill Industries, and Smart Start of Forsyth County. He also serves as Minister of the St. Philips Moravian Church - the oldest historically Black congregation in the state. He previously held key positions at the WS Urban League, and United Way of Forsyth County, where he was part of the launch team for the Place Matters Initiative, directing over $3 million in strategic neighborhood investments.
PHOTO: JENNIFER CLEARY
ABOUTUSTANNER POINDEXTER
VERSA TECHNOLOGIES
Tanner is an Account Executive and the Head of Marketing for VERSA Technologies, an IT Solutions Advisory firm specializing in expert consulting, seamless integration, and comprehensive managed services. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Tanner takes pride in supporting local organizations across the Triad with reliable technology solutions that help them operate efficiently and grow confidently. A graduate of Western Carolina University, Tanner played football for the Catamounts and earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Marketing, followed by an MBA with a certification in Project Management. In 2021, Tanner made the transition to join his family’s business, founded in 1985 by his grandfather, Ed Poindexter, and father, Clay Poindexter.
ABOUTUSKENNETH REID ACTION FOR EQUITY
Kenneth Reid is the Co-CEO of Action4Equity, where he has led its growth from a grassroots movement to a leading voice for educational and economic justice in North Carolina. Under his leadership, the organization has become a trusted bridge between community, philanthropy, and public systems, advancing equity through data-driven policy and partnerships. A fourth-generation Winston-Salem native, Reid believes in the power of communities to shape their own futures. He has developed frameworks that combine data, lived experience, and policy, notably through the My Brother’s Keeper initiative and the Thriving Together network. As co-founder of the Easton Reid Group, he continues to help organizations build capacity for long-term systems change.
ABOUTUSBANKS SHEPHERD
WAKE FOREST SPORTS PROPERTIES/LEARFIELD
Banks Shepherd leads a team charged with developing corporate partnerships and connecting local and national brands with Demon Deacon fans. Prior to Wake Forest, Shepherd has worked with teams including Tulane, Chapel Hill, Baylor, LSU, and Ole Miss. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Shepherd holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi, master's degree in sports administration from Belmont University, and an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. In 2025, Shepherd was named an Ole Miss Alumni Association 40 under 40 honoree. He was a member of Greater Winston-Salem Inc's 2025 Emerging Leaders cohort.
ABOUTUSANDY SZABAT
KEEP WINSTON-SALEM BEAUTIFUL
Andy Szabat is the Executive Director of Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful, where she leads efforts to promote sustainability, environmental education, and community pride. Passionate about creating a cleaner, greener city, Andy collaborates closely with local residents, schools, and organizations to reduce litter and promote environmentally responsible practices. In her first year in the role, she spearheaded cleanups that collected over 7,000 pounds of litter, helped plant 300 native trees, expanded pollinator spaces across the city, and launched a creative plant giveaway that encouraged food donations resulting in over 500 pounds of food collected for local pantries. Often found working outdoors, Andy organizes cleanup events, plants trees, and gathers native seeds to distribute through a free seed library.
ABOUTUSDAVID TYSON NOVANT HEALTH
David Tyson serves as the Senior Director, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, at Novant Health – a not-for-profit integrated delivery network spanning the Carolinas – where he leads federal and state regulatory analysis and advocacy efforts on behalf of the system, its thousands of clinicians, and the millions of patients they serve annually. David works with frontline clinicians and leaders across the health system to develop policy proposals and proactive advocacy strategies to address common administrative and regulatory challenges clinicians and patients face daily.
