Women to Watch Awards Finalists – Education
Meet the 2026 finalists
Pam Biggs
Principal, Codington Elementary School
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“In my twenty-ninth year in education, I bring experience as an elementary, middle, and high school educator, including eighteen years in the classroom and eleven years in school leadership. I held National Board Certification for twenty years, completed the NCPAPA Distinguished Leadership in Practice program, and was recently named a finalist for New Hanover County Schools Principal of the Year. These experiences have shaped my commitment to leading schools where students and educators thrive.”
Why are you passionate about education?
“School was my favorite place as a child, and I want every student to experience that same sense of belonging, encouragement, and possibility. I’m passionate about creating a school where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to dream big, no matter where they come from or the challenges they face. Every child deserves to walk through the school doors each morning knowing they are loved, they belong, and their future is full of possibility.”
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“I would tell my younger self to believe in the impact of one person’s influence. Every student, colleague, and family connection matters. The moments that stretched me the most became the experiences that shaped me as an educator and leader.”
Leneice Rice
Program Manager, Coastal Community Healthcare Fellowship, UNCW & CFCC
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I created and lead two collaborative healthcare workforce initiatives serving UNCW and Cape Fear Community College that strengthen the future of healthcare in Southeastern North Carolina. My work spans K-12 career exploration through professional practice, bringing together education, healthcare, and community partners to create opportunity.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“In just over a year, I have built and expanded healthcare workforce pathways that have reached more than 1,000 students from K-12 through college, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Highlights include being named a 2025 WilmingtonBiz Top 100 Connector, growing iHPSS fourfold, earning national recognition for my resilience research and workforce initiatives, being selected as a Leadership Wilmington class member, and receiving UNCW’s 2026 Soaring Seahawk Award for service excellence.”
Why are you passionate about education?
“Education is where possibility begins. As an educator, mentor, and parent, I am passionate about creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to become who they are meant to be. My work is rooted in positive psychology and the belief that every person has unique strengths and potential waiting to be discovered. When we invest in learners, we don’t just change individual lives – we strengthen families, communities, and the future we share.”
Keisha Robinson
Special Programs Manager, Communities In Schools Cape Fear
Describe your role and work that you do.
“During the summer, I direct our local Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School, which is a high-energy, six-week, literacy program that emphasizes culturally relevant pedagogy, youth empowerment, and community advocacy. During the year, I manage a grant that supports teachers and schools by providing classroom supplies and incentives to assist educators in creating a classroom culture without the use of their personal finances.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“I’ve worked for Communities In Schools Cape Fear for the better part of a decade – over eight years. I received the 40 Under 40 (Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s award) in 2021. I assisted in launching our area’s first CDF Freedom School in 2020, and I’ve directed it since then.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I am truly grateful for my entire village of family members, colleagues, students, and friends who lift me up daily. They have carried me when I thought I could not continue the journey, and for that I feel so blessed. Community, communication, and connection mean so much to me and are always at the forefront of all that I do.”
Delia Stanley
Digital Literacy Specialist, Cape Fear Literacy Council
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I run the Digital Literacy Program at the Cape Fear Literacy Council, creating and curating curriculum and community resources, hosting labs, classes and workshops, and collaborating with nonprofit partners in New Hanover County to bridge the digital divide and provide free access and education around technology, devices, and digital skills.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“Working with Pastor Meg, another one of the nominated Women to Watch (see page 77 for Nonprofit finalists), on The Real Homeless Herald has been an amazing collaboration. The publication is written by people who are experiencing homelessness or have in their past, highlighting a voice from the streets that’s often unheard even when the town continues to make decisions that affect our unhoused friends and neighbors.”
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Keep going! You’re gonna do everything you want, and no one can stop you!”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I’m also a Wilmington musician, and you can find me playing all around town on the weekends!”
Anne Stohl
Founder and Co-Owner, Stevenson Stohl Suzuki Studios/Violinist, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“The greatest highlights of my career have not been performances; they’ve been my students. Watching former students become teachers, professionals, parents, and thoughtful adults is incredibly rewarding. I’ve celebrated students performing as concerto competition winners with the Wilmington Symphony and watched hundreds of children find confidence and their own voices through music. Seeing them grow into remarkable people is the accomplishment I’m most proud of.”
Why are you passionate about education?
“When I first started teaching, I thought I would simply be teaching violin. What I didn’t realize was that I would also become a mentor, encourager, confidant, and sometimes just the person a child needed that day. The scales can wait. A child’s emotional well-being sometimes can’t. My passion for education is that I am able to touch children’s lives.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“Both of my daughters are now professional musicians and are performing and teaching young aspiring musicians, and my niece is graduating next year with a degree in music therapy. It is a gift to see them all doing what they love and making an impact on future generations.”
To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.
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