Board of Directors
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.
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.
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.
Roberta Maldonado Franzen
Roberta Maldonado Franzen, Ph.D., is the Director of Talent Acquisition and Recruitment at Duke University, where she leads equitable, inclusive, and strategic hiring practices that advance institutional excellence. With a background in leadership communication and human resources, her work centers on designing recruitment systems that promote equity, transparency, and access while meeting complex workforce needs. Her leadership is grounded in systems thinking, collaboration, and service. Dr. Maldonado Franzen is deeply committed to building sustainable talent pipelines and practices that empower individuals and strengthen institutions through meaningful, lasting change.
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
Development Committee Chair
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.
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.
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.