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Leadership

Meet the team that powers ExCEL NC’s efforts across the state.

Leadership

Meet the team that powers ExCEL NC’s efforts across the state. 

Kristi Maida-6 (1)

Kristi Maida, PhD

Director

ExCEL NC
samantha-cole (1)
Advisory Council

Samantha Cole

Child Care Business Liaison

North Carolina Department of Commerce
debra-derr (1)
Advisory Council

Debra Derr

Senior Director of Government Affairs

North Carolina Chamber
erica-palmer-smith (1)
Advisory Council

Erica Palmer Smith

Executive Director

NC Child

Executive Champions

Executive Champions serve as high-level advocates and strategic communicators for our mission, representing both Main Street Leaders and Corporate Cabinet members.

Angela Boykin

CEO, Healthy Blue

Corporate Cabinet, Durham County

Carol Steen

Vice President of HR, IT, and Security, Biltmore Farms

Corporate Cabinet, Buncombe County

Chris Paterson

CEO, Carolina Complete Health

Corporate Cabinet, Mecklenburg County

Dave and Sue Lucey

Owners, Page 158 Books

Main Street Leader, Wake County

Ellen Pancoast

Vice President, People Operations, Cone Health

Corporate Cabinet, Guilford County

Erin Thomas Trant

Realtor/Office Manager, NC12 Realty
Owner, Slash Creek Outfitters

Main Street Leader, Dare County

Gene McLaurin

President & CEO, Quality Oil Company

Corporate Cabinet, Richmond County

Matt McNeill

General Manager, Carolina Automotive Group

Main Street Leader, Guilford County

Sara Cloud

Co-Founder and CFAO, Alliance MOCVD

Corporate Cabinet, Alamance County
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Join the ExCEL NC Coalition

Coalition Members support ExCEL NC’s efforts to create a North Carolina where every child, every family, and every business can excel. You can support our mission by signing up to join the coalition!