Women to Watch Awards Finalists-Rising Stars
Meet the 2023 Finalists
Allayna Dail
Assistant Director of Community Relations, City of Southport
Describe your role.
“As the Assistant Director of Community Relations at the city of Southport, I play a key role in planning, marketing, and implementing city and nonprofit activities, aligning them with my department’s objectives. I oversee the Fort Johnston Visitors Center, supervise volunteers, and manage event displays. Additionally, I maintain and update social media platforms, create marketing materials, and serve as a liaison for the NC 4th of July Festival. I am a proactive communicator with a passion for community engagement and marketing, promoting Southport’s attractions and enriching the visitor experience.”
What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?
“During my tenure with the city, I’ve spearheaded two projects that hold special significance for me. The first is the Discover the Trees of Southport Forestry Committee Walking Tour, which features an online tour and a physical walking map. The second project is the innovative Southport on Film initiative, an interactive web-based catalog showcasing the city’s rich history of filming. As part of this initiative, I also designed a walking tour for visiting guests to explore the area’s filming locations.”
What are examples of some of your achievements so far?
“I played a pivotal role in effectively administering the NC 4th of July Festival during its inaugural year under the City of Southport’s administration. As a representative of the city on the tourism board at the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, I contributed significantly to the successful launch of their campaign ‘Tourism Counts.’ And finally, my participation in Leadership Brunswick County, where I successfully completed the program.
What’s a future goal?
“My next goal within the city is to initiate efforts to catalog exhibits in the Ft. Johnston Visitors Center and Museum and commence the process of updating them.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I have a passion for web design and social media marketing, and when you explore the city of Southport’s social media pages to discover the exciting events we have in store, it’s likely me behind the screen!”
Emma Ericksen
Marketing & Engagement Manager, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Describe your role.
“As the Marketing and Engagement Manager at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, I am focused on building strong relationships, with a special focus on first-year members, by providing one-on-one consultations that help each member strategize and optimize their membership benefits. In addition, my marketing and communications efforts are geared towards elevating the chamber’s image as the leading regional business advocacy organization, dedicated to fostering an equitable and inclusive regional economy.”
What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?
“In my role at the Wilmington chamber, I take the lead on organizing numerous ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and groundbreakings for our members, effectively promoting their businesses and fostering economic growth in the area. I also enjoy being a facilitator, connecting individuals with new career opportunities, and contributing to the development of a thriving workforce within our community. And, as part of my involvement in Leadership Wilmington, I managed a project for Work on Wilmington, collaborating with a team of volunteers to paint a mural on a shipping container at Miracle Field to leave a lasting impression on the people who are involved with ACCESS of Wilmington.”
What are examples of some of your achievements so far?
“I have accomplished several significant milestones, including holding a role/title with NCPRSA (Public Relations Society of America, North Carolina Chapter). I am a proud member of the Leadership Wilmington Alumni, being part of the Class of 2023. Additionally, I have achieved recognition as an ACCE Certified Professional in Membership & Revenue Development. These achievements highlight my dedication to professional growth and excellence in my chosen field.”
What’s a future goal?
“Moving forward, I aim to enhance my technical skills as a communications professional by staying up to date on relevant tools and technologies. In the coming months, I aim to have a mentorship relationship with an experienced leader to gain valuable guidance and insights. Additionally, I’m looking forward to identifying a new leadership role in a community service initiative to expand my leadership and communication skills.”
Caroline Gann
Senior Analyst for Solar Energy, Live Oak Bank
Describe your role.
“As an analyst under Live Oak’s Renewable team, I focus on financing solar construction projects. On average I am responsible for roughly $300 million in active funding of solar construction sites financed by Live Oak across the country. I work with various departments from the inception of a project to the final PTO letter. My role is to work efficiently to monitor progress, review changes, and manage communications with the goal of keeping each project on schedule and within budget.”
What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?
“I have worked with various organizations in the community focused around childhood development, women’s safety, and the veteran community. I have enjoyed my time assisting with Habitat builds, working with Ukrainian refugees, teaching life skills at A Safe Place, and supporting our military community.”
What are examples of some of your achievements so far?
“I am a graduate of the WILMA Leadership Institute class of 2022 and a 2023 awardee of Wilmington’s Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40. I am a founding member of Live Oak’s Veteran Employee Resource Group and Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group. This year, I was able to facilitate a formal relationship with Live Oak’s Women Inspired Network – a women’s employee resource group – and A Safe Place. Thanks to our LOB WIN Leadership and ASP, Live Oak’s Women’s ERG sponsors a monthly skills class at the shelter for its members.”
What’s a future goal?
“For my 30th birthday, I plan to successfully complete a basic riders course to receive my motorcycle license. I’ve always wanted to share the experience with my brother who enjoys riding his motorcycle when he is home from deployments.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I am the daughter of two Navy veterans and the sister to an active naval officer (brother). I am very passionate about supporting our veterans and their families, along with supporting the wonderful organizations of our local community that work to improve youth education and those that provide opportunities to those in need.”
Leah Gillikin
Impatient Nurse Navigator, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Describe your role.
“Essentially the admissions and discharge nurse for all patients at the Hospice Care Center in Wilmington. This job includes the implementation of care plans for patients at the end of life across the lifespan; safe medication administration and creation of therapeutic relationships with the patient and their friends/family; collaborating as a team with fellow nurses, leadership, and health care providers.”
What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?
“Continuing to advocate for colon cancer prevention and screenings in the community with the Blue Ribbon Run. Local Chapter for Colon Cancer patients, raising money for research, and to help support patients’ families. Along with supporting nonprofit events hosted by Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for hospice and palliative care, at no cost to patients or their families.”
What are examples of some of your achievements so far?
““Obtained nursing school acceptance straight after nursing school at Cape Fear Community College. Graduated nursing school at (the age of) twenty. Was able to put myself through merit nursing scholarships. Hired as a new graduate nurse – one of the first ever – to work inpatient as an RN at the Wilmington Care Center. One year later, I would work as a nurse navigator in Wilmington, also being credentialed at Novant Health NHRMC working on the Clinical Liaison team, along with working PRN with Wilmington GI as pre/post-op nurse. I have a strong passion for GI cancer prevention and early detection after losing my father three weeks after his diagnosis with colon cancer my senior year of high school.”
What’s a future goal?
“I will be attending school in the fall to obtain my doctorate in Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, with hopes to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity in rural Southeastern North Carolina and focus on preventive health care and screenings.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I’m a fourth-generation RN continuing to serve Southeastern North Carolina. In my free time, you might find me rehabbing small mammals. I’m licensed to rehab small opossums, rabbits, and squirrels. Little critters are no strange thing in my household.”
Ella King
Isaac Bear Early College Graduate/Yale University (Class of 2028)
Describe your role.
“As a student of Russian and Central Asian studies, I inquire into the history, languages, cultures, and politics of these regions. Having recently concluded independent foreign study in Uzbekistan to research Uzbek culture and the Russian language, I now look forward to continuing my studies at Yale.”
What are some of the impacts you’ve made locally?
“Through presidencies of Isaac Bear Early College’s National Honor Society, Debate Club, and International Studies Club, I’ve led service projects to improve food security and access to feminine hygiene products in Wilmington. I have also had the privilege of volunteering through the New Hanover County Office of Diversity and the UNCW Office of Global Partnerships and International Education to promote remembrance of the 1898 Massacre and tutoring in the English language for students from Uzbekistan.”
What are examples of some of your achievements so far?
“In public speaking, I have placed top three in nearly a dozen public speaking competitions, including second place in the international Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition. In community service, I have been recognized by the United Nations Association for the USA with the National Community Service Ambassador Award, the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger Foundation with the National Gold Zero Hunger Award, and the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service with the North Carolina Community Impact Award.”
What’s a future goal?
“Short term, I strive to pursue my education at Yale, working to improve myself and my understanding of the world around me. Long term, I hope to improve the quality and accessibility of education in academia.”
Anything else you want us to know about you?
“I am the valedictorian of Isaac Bear Early College’s class of 2023 and a recent Governor’s Page through the North Carolina Governor’s Office.”
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 Summer Lambert’s work, go to summerlambertphoto.com.
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