Meet the Board 

LaManda Chestnut-Pryor is an accomplished educational leader, community strategist, and founder of Pryor 2 Consulting, LLC. With over 26 years of experience in education and community development, she partners with schools, districts, and organizations to drive transformative outcomes through restorative practices, leadership development, and culture change. Known for her strategic vision and results-driven approach, LaManda is committed to advancing equitable, sustainable impact for students, educators, and communities. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Christina Oxendine is a dedicated professional with a passion for leadership and a drive for business strategy. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, Christina excels in tackling complex challenges with precision and determination. Her goal is to become a people leader, where she can inspire and motivate individuals to reach their full potential. With a solid background in data and analytics, Christina has spent the past 10 years honing her skills in leveraging data to drive insightful decision-making. She has successfully led numerous projects focused on process improvement, streamlining operations, and optimizing workflows. Her ability to identify bottlenecks and implement innovative solutions has contributed to increased efficiency and overall organizational success. Beyond her professional endeavors, Christina is also deeply committed to making a difference in her community. She is an active member of the Empower Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for children to pursue their dreams without delay. Through her involvement, Christina believes in empowering the next generation to embrace their passions and realize their potential. With exceptional communication skills and a natural ability to build strong relationships, Christina thrives in collaborative environments. She excels in aligning cross-functional teams, fostering synergy, and driving collective goals forward. Her dedication to continuous learning and growth, combined with her unwavering commitment to excellence, sets her apart as an asset and future leader. Christina holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, where she further developed her strategic mindset and business acumen. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from North Carolina State University, providing her with a strong foundation in data analysis and critical thinking. Driven by her passion for leadership, process improvement, and empowering others, Christina Oxendine is poised to make a lasting impact as she continues to pursue her goal of becoming a manager or people leader. With her dedication, expertise, and unwavering belief in the potential of individuals, she is poised to inspire and lead teams to achieve exceptional results.

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Meredythe Holmes is the Principal of Holmes Consultants, a private consulting organization that provides training in workforce development, staffing and human resource management as well as community outreach services. She was the founding Executive Director of Made in Durham, the community collaborative that works to ensure all Durham youth complete a postsecondary credential and attain a rewarding career by the age of 25. Ms. Holmes’ personal and professional background demonstrates her lifelong commitment to educating youth and providing our community with employment opportunities. Ms. Holmes began her career as a public school teacher and later launched her own company, Monarch Services which for 45 years specialized in staffing, workforce management, recruitment and job placement. Ms. Holmes received a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Career Counseling from Temple University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Trenton State College in New Jersey. Ms. Holmes has served on the boards of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Carolina Ballet. She was a Trustee of the NC Museum of Art for 10 years and a board member and president of the board of the Durham Arts Council. She also spent several years on the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Development and the Durham Public Schools Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

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