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.

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.