Women to Watch Awards Finalists – Nonprofit
Meet the 2025 finalists
CAROLYN BEATTY
Community Relations & Engagement Director, StepUp Wilmington
Describe your role and work that you do.
“My primary role is to build and maintain positive relationships between our organization (StepUp Wilmington), our community, and surrounding communities, which involves addressing community needs, building bridges between StepUp Wilmington and various stakeholders, including residents, community groups, and local leaders. Focusing on strategic planning, outreach and communication, event management, partnership development, advocacy, public speaking, volunteering, fundraising, and data analysis.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“My leadership role of managing multiple district businesses, managing and mentoring 22 subordinate supervisors, managing $6.5 million in revenue, and making 40% in bottom line profit. Winning the Circle of Excellence Award for seven consecutive years, winning the Customer Service Award for three consecutive years, and winning the Preferred Employers Award.”
What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work?
“Loving our community and loving the people in our community, giving people hope by constantly speaking hope. Having a sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes from contributing to the cause and the mission that I believe in, also seeing the positive impact and the positive differences that are being made. Always looking for opportunities for growth and learning for me and for others. Being part of the community movement.”
What are you most passionate about?
“Helping others and seeing them reap the benefits that they are deserving of. I am always finding ways to encourage others by singing, speaking, mentoring, giving a kind word, giving a hug, cooking a delicious meal, decorating for others and myself, laughing, smiling, being a great team player, watching sports –Dallas Cowboys, achieving positive results, bringing people together, watching others become successful.”
J’VANETE BECTON SKIBA
Director, New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I raise awareness of the public health crisis of our time: Adverse Childhood Experiences by bringing together organizations and individuals from all sectors to make trauma-informed and resilience-focused change in our community. I work to educate providers about biological resilience, trauma-informed practice and policy, and the importance of community resilience and connection.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“In my career, I have had the privilege to work with and serve providers in every sector, including law enforcement and justice, education, and health care. I have also worked with resilience collaboratives across the state and nation. All of this has positioned me to be recognized within my community as a trusted source for connection, education, and action. I have been nominated for the DVSS Impact Award 2023 and 2024, the Smart Start Children’s Champion 2024, and the Positive Childhood Alliance of North Carolina 2025 Donna Stone Award. My collaborative work has also been recognized nationally by Trauma Resource Institute’s Organizational Ambassador of the Year 2021.”
What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work?
“Bringing people together and being a catalyst for person-centered change in our community.”
What are you most passionate about?
“I am most passionate about encouraging our community to employ functional compassion. Functional compassion is the act of engaging in public and personal practices that spur change on a systemic level out of direct concern for the suffering of others.”
SUZANNE ROGERS
Director of Housing, Cape Fear Collective
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I lead our housing efforts focused on preserving Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing. Our team is working to address the critical need for affordable housing by leveraging private sector investment to acquire single-family homes in Wilmington’s inner city – homes that would otherwise be lost to market pressures and gentrification. Through strategic partnerships with the city of Wilmington and the (New Hanover Community) Endowment, we are securing funding to rehabilitate these homes, ensuring they remain affordable for the essential members of our workforce — retail and hospitality workers, CNAs, firefighters, police officers, teacher assistants, cooks, housekeepers, and more. This initiative will bring twelve deteriorated homes up to code, breathing new life into neighborhoods while providing safe, stable housing for the working families who form the backbone of our community.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“The highlight of my career—past and present—has been the opportunity to work alongside extraordinary people: intelligent, compassionate, and talented individuals committed to making the world a better place. It has been a privilege to collaborate with so many who bring purpose and heart to their work. … A particularly memorable moment was receiving an invitation to present at a United Nations International Conference, recognizing a grassroots participatory planning program developed by the dedicated staff team I was honored to lead. Another highlight was participating in a White House Conference as a result of our work on a Community Development Empowerment Zone initiative – an experience that underscored the national significance of community-driven change. I’m especially proud of helping create a workshop series to preserve and celebrate Indigenous knowledge by teaching pottery making, weaving, and flintknapping to members of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe.”
What are you most passionate about?
“I’m passionate about creating safe, well-designed, affordable housing and fostering diverse, inclusive communities where people of all backgrounds can thrive together. I believe everyone deserves a place to call home without fear or exclusion. Outside of work, I find joy in gardening, even if not always successfully. Most of all, I’m passionate about family — and nothing brings me more happiness than being ‘Grammy’ to my nine-month-old grandson.”
DEBBIE SMITH
President & Festival Chair, Wilmington Jewish Film Festival
Describe your role and work that you do.
“As president and festival chair of the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival since 2017, I lead an all-volunteer team in presenting an annual festival, summer series, and pop-up events. I oversee programming, partnerships, and our Holocaust education initiative with public schools.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“A key highlight is growing our Holocaust education program from one school in 2017 to reaching all 10th graders in New Hanover and Pender counties. I’m also proud that a third of our audience for our film events is non-Jewish, supporting our mission of cultural outreach and inclusion. Collaborating with organizations like UNCW has expanded our impact, helping foster understanding and community through film.”
What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work?
“The most rewarding part of my work is seeing our dedicated volunteers return year after year, inspired to contribute. As a leader, I strive to motivate and align us around a shared mission. Seeing our team take pride in their roles and share in the excitement after a successful event is deeply fulfilling. … positive feedback our team receives from audiences is both stimulating and affirming of our efforts.”
What are you most passionate about?
“I’m passionate about building connections across differences by creating opportunities for understanding and shared experiences. Through the film festival, I help guide the selection of films that educate, inspire, and entertain while bringing people together. Film is a powerful medium for fostering empathy, sparking meaningful conversations, and celebrating our shared humanity.”
LEE VANORMER
President, Paws Place Dog Rescue
Describe your role and work that you do.
“I provide strategic leadership and oversight to ensure our mission is fulfilled with integrity and impact. I guide governance and board development, foster strong communication across all levels, and champion fundraising and donor engagement to support our lifesaving work. I collaborate closely with staff and volunteers, offering encouragement and direction while promoting a unified, compassionate culture. My role ensures sustainability, transparency, and continued growth for our rescue efforts.”
What are some of your career highlights so far?
“One of my proudest achievements as President of Paws Place has been leading our transformation into a mature, mission-driven nonprofit. We adopted the QENO framework, shifted board focus from operations to oversight, and implemented strategic planning, risk management, and formal governance structures. We’ve improved fundraising — tripling event revenue — and expanded staff to support daily operations. Under my leadership, we’ve built a collaborative board culture, reduced organizational risk, and launched impactful initiatives in donor outreach, social media, and development.”
What is the most rewarding part of your nonprofit work?
“Volunteering with Paws Place has given me renewed purpose, keeping me active, engaged, and connected to a caring community. It’s allowed me to share my skills in leadership and IT, while learning new things and making meaningful contributions. I’ve built friendships, stayed physically and mentally sharp, and found emotional fulfillment. Retirement can feel isolating, but volunteering reminded me that I still have value – and that I can make a real, tangible difference in the lives of rescued dogs.”
What are you most passionate about?
“I dream of a future where no dog is left behind, even in the worst storms, where every pup has access to lifesaving care, and where love and safety are always within reach. I’ve poured myself into growing Paws Place into a regional leader in compassionate rescue. I’m committed to learning, leading, and rallying others as we build our Sanctuary Shelter – a haven of hope when dogs need it most.”
To view the Women to Watch Awards Finalists main page, click here.
To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.
To view more of photographer Sasha Sheldon’s work, go to sashasheldon.com.
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