Guilford Dialogues Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Raj Chetty

Raj Chetty is William A. Ackman Professor of Economics at Harvard University and the Director of Opportunity Insights, which uses big data to study the science of economic opportunity. Raj’s work has been widely cited in academia, media outlets and policy discussions in the United States and beyond. Raj received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2003 and is one of the youngest tenured professors in Harvard’s history. He has also taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University. He has received numerous awards for his research, including a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, the John Bates Clark medal, given to the economist under 40 whose work is judged to have made the most significant contribution to the field, and Harvard’s George Ledlie prize, awarded for research that made the most valuable contribution to science, or in any way for the benefit of mankind. He is a native of New Delhi, India, and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1988.

Featured Speaker

Surya Kolluri

Surya Kolluri is Head of TIAA Institute and is recognized as a thought leader in retirement and healthy aging research. The TIAA Institute conducts cutting-edge research in the areas of financial and longevity literacy, lifetime income, retirement plan design and behavioral finance for higher education and the broader nonprofit sector. Surya sits on the board of the Wharton Pension Research Council and the advisory councils of Georgetown Center for Retirement Research, the Retirement Research Center of DCIIA and the MA/NH Chapter of the U.S. Alzheimer’s Association. In 2021, he received The President’s Volunteer Service Award via AmeriCorps in recognition for commitment to strengthen communities. Surya has spoken at the U.N. Silver Economy Forum, World Economic Forum, Tokyo G20 Summit on Aging and Financial Inclusion and White House Conference on Aging, among other events. He joined the TIAA Institute from Bank of America, where he was managing director of the Retirement Research and Insights team. Surya holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University.

Panelists

Dedrick Asante-Muhammad

Dedrick Asante-Muhammad is president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that creates ideas to improve the socioeconomic status and civic engagement of African Americans. He has dedicated his career to understanding and tackling racial and economic inequities. Previously, he was vice president for Racial Economic Equity and Research at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Before joining NCRC, Dedrick served as director, senior fellow and founder of the Racial Wealth Divide Initiative for Prosperity Now. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Williams College and a master’s degree in Systematic Theology from Union Theological Seminary.

Heath Brown ’96

Heath Brown ’96 is an associate professor of public policy at the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He earned his bachelor's degree in History at Guilford College and his master's and Ph.D. at The George Washington University. He is the author of six books, including the recently released Roadblocked: Joe Biden's Rocky Transition to the Presidency, the first book focused squarely on the chaotic transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

Sharon L Contreras

Sharon L Contreras is the CEO of The Innovation Project. She has been superintendent of two public school districts and is respected across the nation for implementing policies and strategies aimed at improving life outcomes for all students. In Guilford County, she expanded career technical education and Advanced Placement programs, as well as access to workforce readiness programming to prepare students and their parents for high-wage jobs. GCS’ high-dosage tutoring initiative and high-school learning hubs are considered a national model for addressing unfinished learning. Sharon has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis and an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. in English Literature, M.A. in Teaching and B.A. in English Literature from the SUNY-Binghamton.

Stephanie Glenn

Stephanie Glenn is Senior Vice President, Diversity Engagement, for the Community Foundation of Richmond (Va.). In her role, she leads fundraising for economic and racial justice in housing. In 2018, Stephanie spearheaded the groundbreaking Giving Black® Greater Richmond study, a two-year, in-depth analysis that reshaped the understanding of the trends and impacts of Black philanthropy in central Virginia. Stephanie graduated from Wilberforce University (Ohio) and earned her master’s in Public Administration from Wright State University (Ohio). In 2023, she received the Money Moves Award from HER Collective RVA for her commitment to funding transformative initiatives.

Danielle Heider '12

Danielle Heider ’12 has worked with individuals with disabilities for more than 20 years in a variety of capacities. She serves as a learning specialist at Beacon College (Fla.), which is dedicated to exclusively serving students with learning differences and is active in the community. Most recently, she served as an expert panelist on the TV show, “A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity.” Danielle earned her bachelor’s degrees at St. Andrews Presbyterian College (now University) (N.C.) and Guilford College. She earned her master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky in 2014 and obtained her credentials as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. 

Hugh Holston

Hugh Holston is Chief Executive Office of the Greensboro Housing Coalition, an organization that advocates for fair, safe, healthy and affordable housing for low-to-moderate income families in the community. Previously, Hugh has worked in leadership positions with Old North State Medical Society, Lincoln Financial, AT&T and Wells Fargo. He serves on the Greensboro City Council as a member at-large. A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Hugh is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration.

Robert Hutchins

Robert Hutchins is CEO of ELLAVOZ Impact Capital. He is a retired tax pPartner of WithumSmith+Brown and his professional experience includes tax advisory and financial planning for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their family-owned businesses, as well as impact investment advisor to single family offices for their direct investments in real estate. In his community, Robert is founder and President of Ocean Housing Alliance Inc., a non-profit 48-bed residential health care facility for very low-income individuals with serious mental illness. He is a trustee and Finance chair at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. and a lifetime member of the American Cancer Society.

Sterling Johnson

Sterling Johnson is Director for the Partnership for Southern Equity’s Just Opportunity Portfolio, where he oversees the administration of the economic justice programs. He serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on inclusive economic development. Sterling holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Planning and Economic Development from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Furman University. He is also a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium scholar and was recognized as a 2022 Emerging Leader by Bank of America through its Neighborhood Builders program.

Tyrome Smith

Tyrome Smith has more than 25 years of consulting and leading executives and their teams by helping them understand human and organizational dynamics. He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Common Mission Project. Previously, he was a senior consultant to the Department of Defense where he developed an innovative education program for coaching and mentoring product development teams engaged in an internal incubator. He has served as faculty or entrepreneur-in-residence for institutions like Bowie State University (Md.), University of Maryland Innovation Extension Program, StreetCode Academy and Digital Undivided.

Aimy Steele

Aimy Steele is Chief Executive Officer of the New North Carolina Project and its action arm, New North Carolina Project Action First. A visionary leader, she drives a dynamic agenda aimed at empowering communities across the state through enhanced voter engagement and access. Her unwavering belief is that true engagement stems from addressing the core needs of the people. Since the organization’s inception in 2021, Aimy has orchestrated a statewide field program, ensuring that the voice of every North Carolinian is heard. In 2023, guided by extensive community feedback, the New North Carolina Project prioritized four foundational pillars: Economic Mobility, Housing Security, Public Safety and Civic Engagement.

Victor M. Vincent Jr. ’11

Victor M. Vincent Jr. ’11 is the founder and director of the nonprofit Victor M. Vincent Jr. The Reentry Expert Inc. Victor went from being an inmate in the Maryland Division of Corrections to a graduate of Guilford College with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, adult student government president for two terms, supervisor for the City of Greensboro and now a community healthcare worker for Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine. One of his ultimate desires is to work to facilitate change in the thought processes of Americans who believe it’s the job of the government to fix the problems in our communities, when it’s actually our job.

Hope Williams

Since 1992, Hope Williams has served as president of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, representing the state’s 36 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. She works closely with state and federal governments and with the state’s other education sectors to address education public policy and funding issues. In addition, she oversees fundraising and the development of collaborative programs. Hope received her undergraduate degree from Duke University, MPA from N.C. State University and Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill. She is on the Governor’s Education Cabinet, is immediate past chair of Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) and chairs the Coalition for College Cost Savings. She serves on the boards of the National Student Clearinghouse, College Foundation and myFutureNC.

Omar Woodard

Omar Woodard is executive director at HRS Management, a single-family office and private investment platform. Previously, he was a vice president at Results for America, advising federal, state and local government leaders on using data and evidence in policy making. Omar spent a decade as an impact investor as executive director of GreenLight Fund Philadelphia and principal at Venture Philanthropy Partners. Earlier, he specialized in government affairs as a federal lobbyist, policy director to the Pennsylvania Senate minority whip and policy director for a Philadelphia mayoral campaign. He began his career as an aide to a U.S. congressman and appropriator. Omar received a M.P.A. and a B.A. in International Affairs, both from George Washington University, where he was a Presidential Fellow.

Moderators

Steve Bumbaugh 

Steve Bumbaugh will moderate the Q&A following Raj Chetty’s keynote talk. Steve leads College Board’s partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities. Through the development of digital access tools as well as intensive listening and engagement with stakeholders at all levels, he helps shape College Board programs to ensure they propel students from all backgrounds into opportunity. He is especially focused on expanding access and participation in high quality coursework among students of color and low-income students, building on his long record of success as an educator, community leader and parent. Steve started his career running a small school in Southeast Washington, D.C., as profiled in the documentary "Southeast 67." He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his MBA from Stanford University.

Gizelle Clemens

Gizelle Clemens has for nearly two decades embodied empathetic leadership, strategic philanthropy and disruptive innovation, driving systemic change. As director at National Medical Fellowships, she champions diverse health care workforces to achieve health equity. Leading She Sparks Genius, she advocates for inclusivity across industries with innovative approaches. Her philanthropic work centers on deliberately marginalized voices, addressing support gaps globally. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Rutgers University. Her journey epitomizes transformative leadership, dedicated to fostering a just and inclusive society.

Milagros Russell

Milagros Russell is the CEO and co-founder of RIOTT For Change, an organizational culture consulting and learning firm. She is also a wife and mother of two daughters, a life coach, motivational speaker, encourager and “overcomer.” She enjoys family time, world travel, reading, people watching and hearing every person’s unique story. The pandemic caused her to re-evaluate her life’s decisions, and in turn, she left her 26-year corporate career to pursue her dream. Over the last year, she has focused on building her global business and renewing her commitment to her holistic health and peace journey. She has a B.A. in Media Studies from UNCG and an M.A. in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.

Stephen Sills

Stephen Sills is a distinguished researcher in housing policy, economic development and public health. A former professor of Sociology and founding director of the UNCG Center for Housing and Community Studies, he serves as the chief impact officer of the United Way of Forsyth County and CEO of Innovative Research Insights. Stephen uses a mixed-method approach in his research, incorporating statistical and geospatial data with rich ethnographic information often engaging communities in the research process. His accolades include being a Policy Scholar with the E Pluribus Unum Fund and a research fellow with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program.

Dee Stokes

Dee Stokes is an entrepreneurial minister, educator, consultant, author and podcaster. With 30 years of experience in education, Dee has worked at every level, from: Pre-K-8th grade principal, high school Bible teacher, seminary director and community college director, with most of her experience in 4-year public and private universities as basketball coach, professor and dissertation committee member. Currently, she is director of the Small Business Center at Davidson-Davie Community College. Her degrees are in Sociology (B.A.), Public Administration (M.P.A.), Biblical and Theological Foundations (M.B.T.F.), and Educational Leadership (Ed.S., Ed.D.). Her research interests include cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, burnout, leadership, unconscious bias and spousal responsibility.

Wendy Walker-Fox

Wendy Walker-Fox has served as Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board since fall 2016. She manages the fiscal and administrative oversight for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-funded programs. She leads programs as Workforce and Economic Development Director promoting innovative, responsive and strategic initiatives to advance economic growth and mobility across the region through developing strong community relationships, convening partners and coordinating resources to meet talent and development needs. Wendy holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s in Human Resources Development and Exercise Science.