Board of Directors

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Simone Thomas

Board Chair

A Leadership & Career Coach at S&P Global, Simone brings expertise in leadership coaching, communications, marketing, and customer experience to our board. She is passionate about giving back and joined the board to play a strategic role in driving economic empowerment in our community through the mission of StepUp Durham. Simone has held leadership roles in many non-profits and professional organizations including the NAACP, National Black MBA Association, Black Public Relations Society of New York, and the International Coaching Federation - Raleigh chapter.

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Dominique “Dom” Grimes-Medlin

Board Vice-Chair, IMPACT Committee Chair, Personnel Committee Chair

Dom is an HR/DEIB Consultant at local firms Performentor and The Equity Paradigm. With over a decade of experience in operations management and HR, he brings expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion to the board. Dom has volunteered throughout our programming, and he leverages his expertise and network to support the organization’s mission. He is involved with ERUUF, TSHRM, and NCSHRM, where he created a statewide initiative to build a directory of 2nd Chance Employers for justice-involved individuals re-entering the workforce.

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John Wroton

Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

John is a Client Manager in the Venture Banking Group at Banc of California. With a background in environmental engineering and nonprofit leadership, he brings expertise in accounting, financials, budgeting, and organizational management to the board. Deeply committed to promoting equity and opportunity for underserved communities, John is passionate about community service and strengthening nonprofit growth and impact. He has held chair and leadership roles at Campus Ministry, University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, and EmPOWERment, where he led a strategic shift in the organization’s focus and revenue model.

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Ariel Germain

Ariel is the Marketing and Communications Director for the Division of Student Affairs at North Carolina Central University. She has held roles at several universities including Howard University, Catholic University of America, and UNC Greensboro. Ariel brings expertise in media relations, strategic writing, and event execution to the board. She has volunteered with StepUp Durham in Step1 and is involved in various non-profits, including the Lincoln Health Foundation Board and StrongHER TogetHER. Ariel is passionate about extracurricular opportunities for young girls, volleyball, and mental health.

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Catherine Goodman

Catherine is a lawyer at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. A former art and art history teacher in Naples, FL, she brings to the board a strong commitment to community service. Catherine is passionate about advocating for employment rights and safe housing. She is inspired by StepUp's mission and is dedicated to supporting people through their journey. She is an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham.

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Denise Motley

Denise is the Assistant Vice President of HR at Duke University and Duke University Health System. With over 30 years of experience, she has held key positions in higher education, healthcare, government, and private industry. She brings significant expertise in employment law, HR management, strategic leadership, and diversity initiatives to the board. Denise is passionate about community service and has volunteered extensively with rehabilitation reentry centers. She strongly believes in the importance of providing individuals with second chances. She is a member of service organizations Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated.

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Beth Payne

Program Committee Chair

Beth is the Senior Director of Corporate Services at Durham Technical Community College, providing training for businesses in Durham and Orange Counties. She specializes in employment and training services and has been involved with StepUp Durham through her work at Durham Tech. Beth values that both Durham Tech and StepUp Durham strive to ‘meet people where they are’ and is dedicated to strengthening their partnership through her role on the board.

Alexander Sahadeo

Alex brings 15+ years of experience building high-performing sales and customer success teams across Fortune 500 enterprises, emerging companies, and advisory work. He specializes in scaling organizations, driving retention, and creating cultures where people thrive. A Posse Scholar and valedictorian of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School in NYC, Alex's commitment to workforce development is deeply personal—he understands firsthand how access and opportunity transform lives. Now based in Raleigh-Durham, he's passionate about strengthening economic pathways in the Triangle, particularly for those overcoming barriers to meaningful work. His leadership approach emphasizes coaching, operational excellence, and unlocking potential. He holds a B.S. in Economics and Business from Brandeis University. 

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Kristine Sullivan

Kris, a retired leadership consultant and adjunct professor at Duke University, developed courses for Fuqua's Weekend and Global Executive MBA programs. With a deep interest in empowerment in diverse work settings, she taught leadership for scientists and engineers and served as founding leadership faculty for medical societies in the South. Kris has facilitated workshops for non-profits and brings to the board her expertise in individual and team development, mentoring and work life integration. She is committed to the mission of StepUp Durham, supporting program development and mentoring for participants.

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Thomas Wicker

Thomas is the Principal at Yazno Entiendo, specializing in oncology clinical decision support. With a background in organizational behavior, he enjoys helping organizations become more agile, flexible, and efficient. He brings expertise in process development and logical analysis to his work with staff and the board. Inspired by StepUp Durham's impact, Thomas values its role in empowering participants with employment skills and providing a base of support and belonging. He serves as an advisor for national coed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (UNC), and tutors youth in English through LEAP.

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Natalie Woodland

Natalie is the Lead Director of Provider Performance at Aetna and a Registered Nurse with over two decades of clinical and leadership experience. She brings expertise in talent development, team building, data analysis, and healthcare operations to the board. Inspired by StepUp Durham’s transformative impact, Natalie has been an active volunteer since 2020, assisting with mock interviews, community events, and organizational support. Passionate about health equity and social justice, she has also volunteered with local schools, Habitat for Humanity, and the Durham Rescue Mission.

Stephanie Yang

Stephanie Yang is a Master of Public Policy Candidate ('27) at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, concentrating in Environment & Energy Policy. She is serving on the StepUp Durham board as part of the Sanford Board Leadership Initiative. Prior to Duke, Stephanie was Chief of Staff at Public Rights Project, a non-partisan non-profit helping local government officials advance civil rights, where she managed strategic planning, interdepartmental collaboration, organizational systems and processes, and special projects. Previously, she was a management consultant at A.T. Kearney. Stephanie is passionate about economic justice and looks forward to contributing to StepUp Durham's work to empower job seekers in the Durham community.