WILMA Leadership Accelerator 2026

At Duke Energy, Janson is responsible for regulatory and legislative affairs as well as the long-term strategic direction, growth, and overall financial performance of the company’s regulated utilities in North and South Carolina. She previously served as executive vice president of external affairs and president of Duke Energy’s Carolinas region. In that role, Janson oversaw corporate communications, federal government affairs, strategic policy and sustainability functions, stakeholder strategy, and the Duke Energy Foundation.

Erika Arlee is an award-winning director and multi-faceted filmmaker with accomplishments as a screenwriter, cinematographer, and editor. Her feature directorial debut, A Song for Imogene, premiered at Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival, and has won multiple Best Feature awards on the circuit. In addition to her work as an auteur, Erika is the co-founder of Honey Head Films, a mission-forward, award-winning narrative production house based in Wilmington. Erika is the author of ten narrative short films, four feature films, a TV pilot, and multiple commissioned screenplays.

Kristi Ray is an award-winning actress, producer, and self-made entrepreneur who has spent the past decade building the brand of Honey Head Films – a production company focused on bolstering the female experience in front of and behind the lens. A proud new mama, Kristi’s been recognized on multiple occasions for her work as a creative business owner including in the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, WilmingtonBiz 100, and Power Breakfast speaker. She produced and stars in A Song for Imogene, the Wilmington-made, critically acclaimed drama from Honey Head that was locally financed and recently acquired for distribution by Buffalo 8 and can be streamed on Amazon.

Laurie Whalin was named President of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Acute Care Operations for Novant Health’s Coastal Region in February. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer and President of the future Scotts Hill Medical Center. Prior to that, Laurie served in a variety of senior leadership roles including President/COO of Brunswick Medical Center with Novant Health. She had been with New Hanover Regional Medical Center for 15 years prior to the partnership with Novant Health in 2021. Laurie serves on the New Hanover County Health and Human Services Board of Directors, New Hanover County Community Justice Board of Directors, YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina Board of Directors. She also is a fellow and an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Tanya D. Armour is Chief Philanthropy Officer for Novant Health Foundation, Coastal Region, leading fundraising efforts to support transformative healthcare. With over 20 years in advancement, she’s held leadership roles at UNC Wilmington, the University of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. A Kent State alumna and graduate of the WILMA Leadership Institute, Tanya is active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated. She also serves as First Lady of Saint Luke AME Zion Church. Tanya leads with purpose, grounding her work in service, wellness, and love for her community.

Sheri N. Leavens is a transformative leader in higher education and a passionate advocate for health equity. As Assistant Dean for Student Success and Academic Advising in the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW, she leads initiatives with a dynamic team of 25 that support over 4,000 students through advising, mentoring, and innovative student success programming. With degrees spanning health, education, business, and fashion, Sheri combines intellect, creativity, and compassion in her work. She has secured corporate funding for pipeline programs and scholarships that cultivate future healthcare leaders. Nationally recognized by NACADA, YWCA, and Wilmington Biz 100, Sheri is also a published author, speaker, and founder of sherinicole.co. She co-founded Three Ladies in Wilmington to foster authentic community connections, where she also met her husband, Joel. Whether teaching, speaking, or serving on local boards, Sheri leads with legacy in mind, blending wisdom, wit, and heart to create inclusive spaces for others to thrive.

Danielle Saintard Valiente is a passionate entrepreneur, published author, inspirational speaker, consultant for business professionals, IIN certified health coach, and philanthropist in Wilmington. With over a decade of experience in leadership, communication and professional development, Danielle enjoys combining her love for public speaking with her personal story, to help others grow both personally and professionally. In 2017, Danielle won The Carousel Center’s Tin Man Award, and in 2018, she won WILMA’s Women to Watch Award in the Business category. Danielle has competed on behalf of Toastmasters and has won many titles across North Carolina. Danielle currently serves on the Luncheon Committee for the Cape Fear Literacy Council and is the President of Wilmington Toastmasters.

Maggie Ernst is the Client Services Manager at Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, an independent advisory firm specializing in financial planning and asset management, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. At Pathfinder, Maggie leads the client services team, managing asset movement and daily transactions. Her responsibilities extend to departmental and firm oversight, offering support to clients during major life transitions, handling complex transfers and account administration, and serving on the leadership committee. Maggie’s financial services career began in Chicago in 2007 with a focus on forex and commodities trading before she moved to Wilmington in 2012 and transitioned to wealth management and joined Pathfinder in 2016.

Kim Nelson spent 29 years working in the pharmaceutical industry. She found her differentiator was working in the space that was the overlap of science and business. Early in her career, she and her husband set the goal of retiring early so she could spend time giving back and they could travel the world. After years of careful financial management, she retired. Or in her case, she refocused her life. She is involved in several local organizations, including being Co-Director of the Cameron Executive Network mentoring program, Chair of the Young Scientist Academy Board of Directors, a member of the Advisory Board for Cameron School of Business, and an Advisor for the WILMA Mentor Program.

A longtime familiar voice and face from her career working in local radio, Jackie Jordan Welker has brought her energy and excitement to events throughout the Cape Fear region for 22 years. Through her time in radio, an opportunity presented to transition into a role with the local chapter of nonprofit organization Make-A-Wish, leading the storytelling, marketing, and communications for the chapter. Now, she’s on the national Make-A-Wish team as a Manager on the Entertainment and Sports Relations team, working nationally and internationally to grant wishes with sports leagues and large corporate partners. With a background in broadcasting and a public-facing role working with national sports affiliates, she understands the importance of public speaking and using your voice to engage every audience in the appropriate way for the setting.

Casey Roman is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning investigative reporter and videographer, author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Originally from New Jersey, she has lived coast-to-coast and now calls Wilmington home. Last year, she published her memoir and travelogue “Looking Up,” a personal story from the road that navigates loss and depression with the inspiring message to keep your eyes on the horizon.

Holly Segur spent 30+ years forging a successful career path – working her way up to become a senior corporate executive at a Fortune 300 company and CEO of a real estate holding company while being responsible for 50M square feet of real estate, global contracts, a $250M operating budget, and 700+ employees globally. Now she supports CEOs, entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders understand key elements of business strategy, operations and leadership. She’s engineered successful scale-up and turnaround projects in corporations and nonprofit organizations by focusing on market driven value propositions and proven performance management systems. Segur is particularly passionate about creating leadership legacies that support engaged talent and dynamic workplace experiences. Holly volunteers her time guiding nonprofits through the business strategy development process. She also donates her time as a coach with The Honor Foundation.

Tiffany D. Tucker, recognized as one of Sports Illustrated’s 100 Influential Black Women in Sports, is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Tucker’s exemplary leadership has been acknowledged through various prestigious awards, including the NIKE Nell Jackson Executive of the Year Award and the UNCW Kathleen Berkeley Inconvenient Woman Award. She was also honored with the WILMA Women to Watch Award in the Education category. Additionally, she was named the 2023 recipient of the Channel Powered By Live Oak Woman Owned Business of the Year. Beyond her role in athletics, Tucker is the founder of Tiffany D. Tucker Speaks LLC, where she empowers audiences globally through dynamic speaking engagements centered on unapologetic leadership, confidence, resiliency, and embracing personal power.