Be Bold. Be Inspired. Be a Leader.

Shandra Ross

Anne Thompson

Anne Thompson is NBC News’ Chief Environmental Affairs correspondent. Her reports appear across all platforms of NBC News including “NBC Nightly News,” “Today,” MSNBC and NBCNews.com.

Thompson was tapped for this position in April 2007. Most recently, Thompson led coverage on the Gulf oil spill, covering all aspects of the crisis from beginning to when the well was finally killed. This extensive coverage made Thompson the NBC News Correspondent with the most airtime in 2010, according to the Tyndall Report. She traveled to Copenhagen to cover climate change negotiations, Greenland, Costa Rica, the Amazon, Australia

Susan LaSalla

Susan LaSalla is a Raleigh. North Carolina native..a graduate of Broughton High School and High Point University. She has come home to roost after 55 years.During her 43 years at NBC News, she was a production assistant /assignment editor and then Field Producer in the Washington DC bureau.

Next was Field Producer and subsequently Bureau Chief in the NBC Chicago Bureau. NBC Miami/Central/South America was next stop as Bureau Chief and then back to Washington to serve as White House Producer. Upon doing a 15 month stint in Kuwait City, her last assignment was as Washington Senior TODAY SHOW producer for 13 years.

During these years, Susan covered 16 National Political conventions /8 Presidential Inaugurals/6 Presidential Funerals. She also covered the US military invasions of Grenada and Panama as well as the First/Second Gulf Wars. Upon retirement, Susan was awarded a two year Franklin Fellowship at the US State Department in the Chief of Protocol’s Office. She has worked as a Producer for NBC Sports for the last five Olympics.

Susan presently sits on General Hugh Shelton’s Leadership Council Board at North Carolina State University .

Ms. LaSalla is the great-aunt of Saint Mary’s students Dimney Rideout, a member of the graduating class of 2022, and Mary Susan Rideout, a member of the Class of 2024.

Janet Rapelye

Dr. Elaine Wilson

Joan Higginbotham

A retired NASA astronaut, Joan Higginbotham is a trailblazing electrical engineer, who in December 2006, flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to become the third African American woman to travel into space. On the nearly 13-day mission, the seven-member crew continued construction of the International Space Station (ISS), embarking on four space walks with Higginbotham operating the station’s robotic arm.

Higginbotham utilizes the International Space Station as the backdrop for sharing insights and lessons learned during her 20-year distinguished career with NASA, while inspiring and captivating audiences with her personal journey of breaking barriers to boldly go where few have gone: space. In doing so, she highlights the keys to succeeding in her missions – including seizing opportunities, being prepared, perseverance, working with diverse teams, and thriving in demanding, high-stakes environments – as well as how these tactics can be applied to any endeavor.

A real-life rocket scientist, Higginbotham began her career at NASA in 1987 as an aerospace technologist at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, where she worked her way through numerous promotions and actively participated in 53 space shuttle launches during her 9-year tenure. Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1996, she reported to the Johnson Space Center and was assigned various technical duties including testing modules of the ISS for operability, compatibility, and functionality prior to launch. Higginbotham has logged more than 308 hours in space, retiring in 2007 after 20 years with NASA, joining Marathon Oil to manage their corporate social responsibility office and the Bioko Island Malaria Control Program in Equatorial Guinea, Africa.

Higginbotham has had a storied career, serving as director of open innovation at Collins Aerospace, sourcing cutting-edge technologies to close current technology gaps and meet future technology needs. Prior to that role, Higginbotham managed the relationships with governmental agencies and public and private companies involved in human space exploration and also served as director of corporate social responsibility. Preceding her time at Collins Aerospace, she held multiple director positions at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., leading their community relations, supplier diversity, and global sourcing efforts. In April 2022, she stepped out on faith, resigned from corporate America, and launched her own aerospace consulting firm, Joan Higginbotham Ad Astra LLC.

Widely recognized for her accomplishments, Higginbotham has been honored by President George W. Bush at the 81st White House Black History Month Celebration, featured in Alicia Keys’ Superwoman video, is the recipient of the National Space Medal, the Adler Planetarium Women in Space Award, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and was named one of Savoy Magazine’s Top Influential Women in Corporate America and one of Essence Magazine’s Top 50 Women, among other accolades.

Born in Chicago, IL, Higginbotham received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C), a Master of Science Degree in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), a Master of Science Degree in Space Systems from FIT, an Honorary Doctorate in Aerospace Science from SIU-C, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of New Orleans.

Mary Whipple

Mary Whipple is a three-time Olympian; she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the London 2012 and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and winning Silver in her first appearance at the Athens 2004. She was the coxswain of the US Women’s 8+ Rowing Team. Her team was honored as the US Olympic Team of the Year in 2012 for their performance at the London Olympics. Mary has coxed the women’s team to five world championships.

She has been named one of the select 2012 US Olympic Team for Tomorrow Athlete Ambassadors speaking to youth about her passion for rowing and fulfilling her Olympic dreams. Mary has a master’s degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington and graduated high school from Sacramento Adventist Academy.

She speaks to audiences about developing leadership techniques, the opportunities, and challenges of building a winning team including the transition from individual contributor on the team to being the team leader, and her journey as an Olympic athlete.

Dr. Kate Darling

A leading expert in robot ethics, Dr. Kate Darling is a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, where she investigates social robotics and conducts experimental studies on human-robot interaction.

She explores the emotional connection between people and life-like machines, seeking to influence technology design and policy direction. Dr. Darling’s writing and research anticipate difficult questions that lawmakers, engineers, and the wider public will need to address as human-robot relationships evolve in the coming decades.

Forever interested in how technology intersects with society, she has a background in law and economics as well as intellectual property. Dr. Darling has researched economic incentives in copyright and patent systems and has taken a role as intellectual property expert at multiple academic and private institutions. Named one of the “Women in Robotics You Need to Know About” by Robohub, she currently serves as intellectual property policy advisor to the director of the MIT Media Lab. She is also the author of the book The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals About Our Future with Robots, exploring how building diverse relationships with robots could be the key to making our future with robotic technology work.

Her passion for technology and robots has led her to interdisciplinary fields. After co-teaching a robot ethics course at Harvard Law School with Professor Lawrence Lessig, she increasingly works at the intersection of law and robotics, with a focus on legal and social issues. Dr. Darling is a former Fellow at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and the Yale Information Society Project, and is also an affiliate at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies.

Dr. Darling’s work has been featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, The Guardian, BBC, NPR, PBS, The Boston Globe, Forbes, CBC, WIRED magazine, Boston Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, Die Zeit, The Japan Times, and many more major publications and outlets. She is a contributing writer to Robohub and IEEE Spectrum and speaks and holds workshops covering some of the more interesting developments in the world of robotics, and where we might find ourselves in the future.

A’Lelia Bundles

Maria Sharapova

International tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova, expanded her presence further in the sporting universe as she became an Olympic correspondent for NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Olympic Games. Sharapova holds hometown hero status in her native Sochi and offered NBC viewers exclusive and personalized access to the Olympic Games in Russia. Sharapova is the winner of multiple Grand Slams in her career; Wimbledon (2004), US Open (2006), the Australian Open (2008) and French Open (2012 & 2014). During the Summer 2012 Olympic Games in London, she was awarded the Silver Medal for Women’s Singles Tennis.

Sharapova holds a number of firsts for her native Russia. She is the first Russian to win the Australian Open and the only Russian to win multiple Grand Slams. As an international icon, Sharapova garners worldwide press coverage - both on and off the court - with a dominating social media presence. She serves as an ambassador to many of the world’s top luxury brands and a number of Fortune 500 companies.

In 2012, Sharapova flexed her entrepreneurial muscles and debuted her eponymous couture candy collection, Sugarpova. A portion of Sugarpova’s proceeds go towards the Maria Sharapova Foundation, which helps children around the world achieve their dreams. In 2007, she became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and has donated significant contributions to Chernobyl-related projects in her native country.

Sharapova enjoyed her transition from tennis champion to Founder and spoke to Inc. during the Inc. 5000 Vision Conference 2020 and on the Inc. Uncensored podcast about starting a company.

Maggie Kane

Maggie is the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s pay-what-you-can nonprofit cafe. She graduated from NC State University in 2013 and began working for a nonprofit with people experiencing homelessness. By befriending many people living on the margins, she saw the challenges of food insecurity as well as providing dignity to those in need. In February 2015, A Place at the Table was born and Maggie never looked back. Opening in January of 2018, Table has served thousands of people in Raleigh with a dignified and an affordable meal, together. Maggie has a heart to serve, a desire to always be inclusive, and a passion for loving people.

She lives in Raleigh, loves to jump rope, and eats a large amount of peanut butter. She loves hiking in the mountains, and all things sunflowers. You’ll find her watching movies at the theaters in those big comfy chairs, skydiving, or breaking away for a quick 2-day weekend trip.

Deborah Ross

Congresswoman Deborah Ross is a civil rights advocate, a clean energy champion, a lawyer, and a proud North Carolinian. She was sworn into the House of Representatives on January 7, 2023 for her second term representing North Carolina’s Second Congressional District, which includes most of Wake County.

In Congress, Deborah is fighting for equality, justice, and progress. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee; the House Ethics Committee; the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology; and the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. She is also a member of House Democrats’ leadership team, serving as a Chief Deputy Whip and on the Steering and Policy Committee.

In her first term, Deborah became a leading voice on issues ranging from women’s health and immigration reform to clean energy technology. In the 117th Congress, 11 pieces of Deborah’s legislation were signed into law, including bills to increase funding for sexual assault nurse examiners, enhance judicial ethics and transparency, and bolster North Carolina’s offshore wind energy potential.

Deborah grew up in a small town. The proud daughter of an Air Force veteran and an early childhood education teacher, her parents instilled in her the belief that with opportunity comes responsibility and that through public service she could help others and make a difference.

She graduated from law school at UNC-Chapel Hill and entered public service in 2002, when she ran for and won a seat representing Wake County in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where she went on to serve for more than a decade.

Dr. Valerie Hillings

Angie Zhang

Recognized as an inquisitive and authentic musician, Angie Zhang is a unique 21st-century American artist, dedicated to the modern piano and fortepiano alike, who has boldly expanded her creative footprint to encompass conducting from the piano and entrepreneurial projects.

Praised as “warmly expressive, sensitive, and polished” as well as “a valuable advocate for classical music” by New York Concert Review, she has appeared in diverse venues including the Kennedy Center, LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Metropolitan Club.

Dr. Eleanor Tomczyk

Dr. Eleanor Tomczyk is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and chemistry from Duke University and a medical degree from Pennsylvania State University. She completed a residency at the University of Massachusetts Division of Plastic Surgery and a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 

Dr. Tomczyk specializes in breast reconstruction, transgender surgery, and general plastic surgery. Her research interests are related to quality improvement in the mastectomy and reconstruction surgical pathway and nerve reconstruction for patients that have mastectomies. She has received several awards for her contributions to resident and medical student education.  Dr. Tomczyk combines her personal and professional lives by mentoring women who want to be mothers and physicians, understanding the demands of both.  She is thrilled and honored to be a part of this year’s program and cannot wait to meet you all.

Gayle Lanier

Jill Heinerth

More people have walked on the moon than visited many of the places Jill Heinerthhas explored on Earth. From the most dangerous technical dives deep inside underwater caves to swimming through giant Antarctic icebergs, Heinerth has been the hands and eyes of climatologists, archaeologists, biologists, and engineers worldwide. She was named the first Explorer-in-Residence of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and inaugural recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration. Jill is a Fellow of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, Women Diver’s Hall of Fame, National Speleological Society, WINGS WorldQuest and the Explorers Club, which recognized her work with the prestigious William Beebe Award for ocean exploration. The Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times have lauded Jill’s best-selling memoir Into the Planet. Dolly Parton selected Jill’s book, The Aquanaut, for her Imagination Library program. Running Cloud Productions of Australia is currently filming a feature documentary that will be released in 2024.

Jane Singleton Myers ’92HS

Jane Singleton Myers became executive director for TreesCharlotte in May 2021, the first woman named to the organization’s history.  Prior to TreesCharlotte, Myers most recently served as executive director for The First Tee of Greater Charlotte, which under her leadership became a top 10 chapter among the organization’s 150 affiliates. 

Myers began her career in a most momentous way, working for Bank of America (NationsBank) during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.  In 1997, Myers settled into her new city of Charlotte to work for Raycom Sports.  In 1999, Myers took a role with UNC Charlotte as assistant director for alumni affairs.  Then in 2001, Myers returned to Bank of America for 14 years holding a diversity of roles that included finance, investment banking, human resources, marketing, communications and corporate services.

Myers is viewed as a transformational and strategic business leader with a proven history of delivering extraordinary results for corporate, government and nonprofit businesses. She has a proven track record with solving complex business challenges through broad based leadership competencies such as social intelligence, interpersonal skills, conflict management and decision-making. Her ability to collaboratively set and balance a solid strategy with tactical priorities while delivering required business outcomes to stakeholders, clients and team members sets her apart.

As TreesCharlotte’s executive director, Myers is working to evolve the 11-year-old nonprofit as the city faces significant population growth, aging trees and increased storms.

Myers grew up in Myrtle Beach, SC and graduated from Guilford College. She lives in Charlotte and enjoys spending time with her incredible husband, (step) daughter, (step) son, and dog.  They can often be found outdoors, traveling, spending time with family and friends, or watching the latest bingeworthy show.

About TreesCharlotte

TreesCharlotte is a public/private nonprofit collaboration to grow, diversify and steward the city’s iconic urban forest, as well as teach residents about the value of and care for trees. Learn more at TreesCharlotte.org.

Renee Chou

Renee Chou is a three-time, Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for WRAL-TV News.She’s anchored WRAL’s Morning News -- the Triangle's most-watched morning newscast–for 10 years. You can wake up with her every weekday morning on WRAL from 4:30 to 7 a.m. and from 7 to 8 a.m. on Fox 50. She also anchors WRAL’s Noon Newscast, anchoring a total of 4.5 hours of live TV every day, in addition to special assignments, such as continuous severe weather coverage and the annual live broadcast of the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

Renee joined WRAL in October 2004 as a general assignment reporter. She served as the weekend morning anchor and weekend evening anchor before being promoted to anchor WRAL's flagship morning newscast in 2014.

Lieutenant Sarah Blake

Lieutenant Sarah Blake is an active duty officer in the United States Navy and currently serves as a Senate Liaison in the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs.
Her primary responsibility is the planning and execution of international Congressional delegations.