OUR STORY
NPower is a national nonprofit that leverages an evidence-based model to foster economic empowerment through digital skill enhancement and industry recognized credentials for military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from under-resourced communities. Our strength is seeing students of nontraditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. Our unique approach combines rigorous, free training and trauma-informed support services, career readiness skills and job placement assistance.
We have offered foundational and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 graduates, with the goal of scaling to serve 15,000 annually by 2030—all while maintaining strong placement outcomes. Led by a committed team, we seek to create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us and empower students to drive change in their own lives and communities.
Over the past decade, NPower has expanded its program reach and developed a robust network of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, government agencies, staffing firms, and a network of nonprofit partners that host its interns and hire its graduates full-time. NPower is a vital solution towards bridging the national talent gap that exists in the high-growth technology industry.
To learn more about NPower, visit npower.org.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
NORTH CAROLINA
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Nick Allen
Executive Director, NPower North Carolina
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mayor Leonardo Williams Durham, North Carolina
PARTNER SPEAKER
Dr. Johnny Hill
Corporate Partnerships, NCCU
PARTNER SPEAKER
Luisa Reynolds MetLife
INTRO TO STUDENT SPEAKER
Sarah Chick
Site Director, NPower North Carolina
STUDENT SPEAKER
Rene Lucha Lemus
Retired U.S. Navy Chief
STUDENT SPEAKER
Eduardo “Eddie” Miguel
CLASS HONORS PRESENTER
Sarah Chick
Site Director, NPower North Carolina
PROGRAM COMPLETION CERTIFICATE CEREMONY
Sarah Chick
Site Director, NPower North Carolina
CLOSING
Nick Allen
Executive Director, NPower North Carolina
RECEPTION
SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mayor
Leonardo Williams
Mayor Leonardo (Leo) Williams is a former teacher and school administrator. He was elected to the Durham City Council in December 2021 and sworn in as mayor in December 2023.
Mayor Williams is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. While attending NCCU, Leo met his wife, Zweli, and they are the proud parents of their son, Izaiah Williams.
Mayor Williams was recognized twice by Durham Public Schools as Teacher of the Year and was also recognized by the Triangle Business Journal with a “40 Under 40” award for producing innovative practices in education. He transitioned from full-time educator to full-time small business owner when he and his wife opened Zweli’s, the first full-service authentic Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States.
While serving on the City Council, Mayor Williams continues to apply his experience and passion in education, entrepreneurship, and commitment to addressing deep social issues to make Durham a united community that provides safety and prosperity.
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Rene Lucha Lemus
Eduardo “Eddie” Miguel
PARTNER SPEAKERS
Dr.
Johnny Hill
Corporate Partnerships, NCCU
Dr. Johnny Hill currently leads the Office of Corporate and Foundation Engagement where he partners with faculty, staff and university leadership to facilitate meaningful engagement and strategic relationships between NCCU, corporations and private foundations in support of institutional priorities and initiatives.
Dr. Hill joined the NCCU Division of Institutional Advancement team in 2022 after serving four years as dean of Shaw University Divinity School and co-director of the Center for Racial and Social Justice. As dean and director, he engaged corporate partners and foundations, such as the Lilly Endowment, Gilead Foundation and the AARP. Dr. Hill also led a historic partnership between Shaw University and the City of Raleigh on the Courageous Community Conversations Initiative. Prior to serving at Shaw University, Dr. Hill was department chair and professor at Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., where he successfully wrote numerous grants, assisted the Office of Institutional Advancement on the Capital Campaign, and served on the university strategic planning committees.
Dr. Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College, Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in philosophical theology from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University.
Luisa Reynolds
MetLife
Luisa Reynolds has been a huge advocate and ally in the community for NPower NC. At MetLife, Luisa heavily supports the LatConexion ERG and is active in many DEI spaces.
Luisa describes herself as a detail oriented certified professional with outstanding skills and substantial experience in customer service and operations including eleven years in Telecommunication field. Accustomed to working in fast-paced environments with the ability to successfully handle crisis and work well in a team environment in both management and support staff roles. A proven talent in identifying project objectives, organizing resources, and achieving goals quickly and efficiently.
GRADUATES CONGRATULATIONS!
Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals NPower
North Carolina Graduates
Chris Golden
Christiane “Audrey” Tadjuidje Foko
Delacey Hope
Duke Brown
Eduardo Sanchez
Eh Shee Hay
Essence Patterson
Givens Dorsainvil
Gloria Horton
India Bessard
Jazmine Greene
Jessica Robinson
Jordan Correa
Kareem Hilaire
Myles Amos
Omar Francis
Raylen Arrington
Rene Lucha Lemus
Ricky Leclerc
Shy’yon Frazier
Thomas Chilton
Touyao Moua
William Bennett
Yoktabiel Estifanos
Ahmad Bell
Abdur-Razzaq “Zack” Robinson
Brian Saroni
Brittany Price
David Disu
Fantashia Howard
India Bessard
James Burrell
Justin Moua
Kai Baldwin
K’nai Streeter-Martin
Phillip “Felix” Moon
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
Completion
THANK YOU
to Our Employment Partners, Funders and Volunteers
Family & Support Networks of the NPower Students
Truist Foundation
MetLife Foundation
Mayor Leonardo Williams
Dr. Johnny Hill
North Carolina Central University
NPower NC Regional Advisory Board
RAB Member Brandon Mooney, Truist
RAB Member Wendy Kaszak, MetLife
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
David Boyle
Principal (Retired) Ernst & Young, LLP
Judy Arteche-Carr CEO & Managing Director Arteche Global Group
Amy Gnagy Managing Director Accenture
Dan Maslowski Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Einat Burshtine Data and Strategy Consultant
Luke Chilone CO-CHAIR Consultant
Jesse Hillman CIO/CISO
Rob Robless VP Technology Globant
Nader Souri Managing Director/ Head of Corporate Banking
BNY Mellon
Nic Caputo Global Sales Director, Financial Services
SHI International
Anne Gilroy CO-CHAIR Senior Vice President Bank of America
Steve Mase CO-CHAIR Director Global Quality Assurance Operations Citi
Lynn Bednar Managing Director Deloitte Technology
