Meet the Board 

Shari Hubert serves as the Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, overseeing enrollments for various MBA and Specialty Masters’ Degree Programs. With a wealth of experience spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, she transitioned to higher education after leading recruitment efforts for the Peace Corps, managing regional offices and recruiting thousands of volunteers annually. Prior to her tenure with the Peace Corps, Shari held senior leadership positions at Citi and GE, spearheading campus recruitment efforts and strategic university relationships. At NBC Universal, she directed community programs, showcasing her commitment to social impact. Shari's diverse background also includes consulting at The Boston Consulting Group and sales and marketing at Merck and Co., Inc. Driven by a mission to make a difference, Shari is deeply involved in various leadership roles. She serves on the Board of the Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association, co-chairs the Community Engagement Taskforce, and contributes to the Development Committee. Additionally, Shari is an Alumni Interviewer for the Dartmouth College Alumni Ambassador Program and an Advisory Council Member for the Forte Foundation. Shari's dedication extends beyond professional pursuits; she actively fosters dogs and supports the Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Wake Forest, NC. Her multifaceted career, coupled with her commitment to social impact and community engagement, exemplifies her passion for making meaningful contributions in various spheres.

LaManda Chestnut-Pryor is an educational community leader and children's advocate with 26+ years of academic experience in the NC and NY communities. She is currently the founder of Pryor 2 Consulting, LLC. As a two-time graduate of North Carolina Central with a Master's Degree in Education, Supervision, and Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, with a focus on Radio, Television, and Film from Morris Brown College, Pryor's combination of academic knowledge and practical experience in the community, family, and parenting spheres has been essential to her innovative approach to developing educational methods that harmonize with real-world goals. She serves as the Programs Team Manager at Hayti Reborn Justice Movement and is the Co-Facilicator of District 4 Partners Against Crime (PAC). Pryor has been an executive member of the Empower Dance Foundation for over four years and is a member of the Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the proud mother of one daughter, Santese Pryor. Pryor is a passionate and visionary leader committed to positively impacting the lives of children and families in her community.

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.

Laura Windley is an attorney by day at Hatley Law Office and a jazz vocalist and bandleader by night, performing with her own Mint Julep Jazz Band as well as other national swing jazz and big bands. She is involved in the local swing dance community as an event organizer, live music coordinator, DJ, and occasional instructor.

Pamela Oxendine (Executive Director) is an esteemed executive director with a rich background in community leadership, etiquette, and business administration. From owning a modeling school to founding A Cultured Alliance, she has consistently demonstrated excellence. Currently an etiquette instructor, Mrs. Oxendine empowers both youth and adults with vital social skills. Her corporate experience includes developing marketing initiatives and serving as an administrator at N.C. School of Science and Math. Holding degrees from Shaw University and North Carolina Central University, she is deeply committed to community service, serving on various boards including the Durham County Board of Elections. Proud mother to Empower Circle Founder, Nicole Oxendine, Mrs. Oxendine's dedication to leadership and service continues to inspire those around her, leaving a lasting impact on her community. Pam Oxendine is a community leader, skilled in both the art of etiquette and refinement, as well as marketing and business administration. Mrs. Oxendine's career has spanned from owning a modeling school to owning a cultural event center, A Cultured Alliance. Currently, as an etiquette instructor, Mrs. Oxendine trains, equips, and empowers youth and adults with proper etiquette and social skills via a proven curriculum. Professionally, Mrs. Oxendine has spent her corporate career developing marketing and communications program initiatives and logistics and is currently an administrator at N.C. School of Science and Math. She holds a BA in Business Administration from Shaw University and an MPA in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. Mrs. Oxendine discovered her true passion for leadership in the community, having served on boards for the Durham Regional Financial Center as Chair, Durham Committee of the Affairs of Black People as Committee Vice Chair, and League of Women Voters as Chair. She is currently a board member of the Durham County Board of Elections. Among all her accolades, Mrs. Oxendine is most proud to be the mother of the Empower Circle Founder, Nicole Oxendine and all her children and grandchildren.

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.

Malcom Riley is passionate about helping organizations and people achieve their aspirations. Over the past 15 years, he has helped thousands of people across generations pivot into exciting new careers and advance into rewarding internal roles. By combining rich coaching and industry experience, Malcom speaks to the unique challenges of the modern workplace and provides holistic solutions that empower audiences to create the career and life they have always envisioned. Today, at Ayasphere, Inc, Malcom provides executive coaching for driven professionals looking to create more fulfilling lives and delivers corporate education programs for companies invested in developing their workforce. Malcom earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He also earned an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.