WILMA’s 2025 Leadership Accelerator: The Speakers
Meet the Speakers
Dive in to WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator: The Power of Us
Brush up on our 2025 speaker line-up by reading through their bios below.
WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator is our annual half-day conference designed, this year, to celebrate and strengthen The Power of Us — the collective impact of women leading boldly, together. As we honor the 10-Year Anniversary of WILMA Leadership, this jam-packed day will not only feature personalized programming, hands-on workshops, and a powerful keynote lunch, but also spotlight the voices of women who have grown through our programs in the past decade— giving them a platform to inspire what’s next.
WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator
Thursday, July 24th
9am-2pm
Wilmington Convention Center
Visit WILMAAccelerator.com to learn more and register today
ERIKA ARLEE
Co-Founder, Honey Head Films
Arts Category Winner, 2021 WILMA Women to Watch Awards
Vision in Focus: Scaling a creative vision into an award-winning business venture
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
Co-Founder, Honey Head Films
Arts Category Winner, 2021 WILMA Women to Watch Awards
Vision in Focus: Scaling a creative vision into an award-winning business venture
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
President, Acute Care Operations and New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health-Coastal Market
Leading the Way: A fireside chat on leadership lessons learned along the way
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 ARMOUR
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Novant Health Foundation
WILMA Leadership Institute, Class of 2024
Grace, Grit & Giving: Leading on the Job and in Life with Intention
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 LEAVENS
Assistant Dean, Student Success and Academic Advising, UNCW College of Health and Human Services
WILMA Leadership Institute, Class of 2019
WILMA Leadership Advisory Board Member
Full Circle: The Power of Peer Connection
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.
Session Accompanied by 2019 Leadership Institute Peer Group Members:
- Katie Tate, Director of Foundation, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare
- Maggie Ernst, Partner & Client Services Manager, Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
- Niccoya Dobson, Chief Public Defender, Defender District 5
- Amanda Sipes, Manager II, HRBP, DISA Global Solutions, Inc.
- Katelyn Mattox, Director of Homeless Services, Good Shepherd Center
DANIELLE SAINTARD VALIENTE
Entreprenuer, Author, and Speaker
Business Category Winner, 2018 WILMA Women to Watch Awards
Looking Within: Emotional Intelligence + Growth Mindset
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
Partner & Client Services Manager, Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
WILMA Leadership Institute, Class of 2019
Confident Currency: Building Wealth Intentionally
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
Partner, KNTCompany
WILMA Mentor Program Advisor
Confident Currency: Building Wealth Intentionally
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.
JACKIE JORDAN WELKER
Manager, Entertainment and Sport Relations, Make-A-Wish America
WILMA Leadership Institute, Class of 2021
The Power of Your Voice: Communicating with Clarity
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.
Visit WilmaAccelerator.com to learn more about WILMA’s Leadership Accelerator.
