Joelle Irons is the Director of Finance and Operations at The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem. Joelle grew up outside of Richmond, Virginia, and recently moved to the Triad from Avenel, New Jersey, where she served as the Box Office Manager and Front of House Manager for the Avenel Performing Arts Center. She has lived and worked in a number of states and is enjoying making North Carolina her home, along with her husband and daughter. Her passion for theatre goes back to her childhood. Joelle homeschools her daughter and was able to get back into the theatre world by teaching acting at her homeschool co-op while living in Missouri. Once she decided to make a career in the performing arts, she began working towards her Masters in Presenting and Live Entertainment from University of Miami and is expecting to graduate in May of 2022. Joelle is enjoying growing The Little Theatre’s Education department and creating a fun, creative space for kids and adults. Once the audience is seated and the performance begins, she can be found in the lobby knitting her next sock.
Freida Mitchell
Freida Mitchell is the Events Manager for Reynolda House and Reynolda Gardens. Born and raised in Wilson, NC, she received her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a professional baking and pastry certificate from the Illinois Institute of Art of Chicago. She has more than 16 years of experience in hospitality and event management which started in five-star hotels and restaurants in the Chicagoland area. “Hospitality isn’t what I do; it’s who I am,” said Freida. “I believe in making folks feel welcome and comfortable, wherever I am.” She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Vice-President of the Forsyth County Hotel Association and 2021 Leadership Winston-Salem graduate. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking and baking French pastries for her husband Raymone, daughters Simone and Rhilyn and rescued pitbull puppy, Panda.
Kristen Wright
Kristen Wright is a certified physician assistant with Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute. As a vascular and vein specialist, she is passionate about helping people get back their quality of life. “It’s seeing the joy return to my patients when they are able to do the simple things again; like going for a walk with a loved one or playing with their grandchildren that lets me know I’m making a difference and improving their everyday lives,” said Kristen. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University in 2011, an associates degree in cardiovascular technology from Central Georgia Technical College in 2014 and a masters degree in physician assistant studies from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2018. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys watching hockey. “When not working, you can find me at a Carolina Hurricanes or Carolina Thunderbirds game with my husband, Zack. We also have one dog and one cat, Ben and Gambit.”
Bailey Pellissier
Bailey Pellissier has been working as a coach at F45 for a little more than a year as a trainer. “I am in my senior year at Wake Forest double majoring in psychology and health and exercise science,” said Bailey. “I am also part of Delta Zeta, club basketball and Momentum dance crew. I am passionate about strengthening the mind body connection through flow states and finding ways to heal through the body. I am so grateful for my family who has instilled in me kindness, compassion and resilience.” In her spare time, Bailey enjoys yoga and dancing.
Ashley Nassar Weeks
Ashley Nassar Weeks is the owner of Nassar Creative. She has grown her agency from a single employee to five employees in just five years. Ashley has a degree in computer science and political science from UNC Wilmington. “After graduating and going on to corporate, I ended up in Greensboro working at Volvo Trucks,” said Ashley. “Eventually, I found myself dissatisfied with the corporate world, and I decided to take my passion for websites and my love for the community to start my own digital marketing business in 2016. What started as a business only building websites, quickly became a full-scale marketing agency offering branding, websites and a wide range of marketing services. I am motivated by helping business owners understand the technology side of a business and that it is much easier than they think once things are set up properly.” In her spare time, Ashley enjoys interior design, quilting, cross stitching, gardening, yoga and spending time with her husband and dogs.
Mollie Bradford
Mollie Bradford is the owner of Mollie B. Marketing & Creative, LLC. She has a degree in fashion marketing from the Art Institute of Charlotte. In April, Mollie will celebrate four years of full-time entrepreneurship. “I recently celebrated two years since returning to my hometown of Winston-Salem after living in Charlotte and NYC for seven and a half years,” said Mollie. “I really found a passion for the wedding/events industry, having worked as a high-end bridal consultant and stylist. I appreciate the heart-centric nature of the industry. My degree in fashion marketing has led me to launch my own full-time career under my boutique agency, Mollie B. Marketing and Creative (which I launched in Spring of 2018). Crafting impact through storytelling and purposeful branding for small business owners is what brings me joy! I have met some of the best people in the Camel City and am working on projects like The Little Chapel at Haven Ridge (a family owned sanctuary) with my dad that allows me to pour that love back into the community that raised me!” In her spare time, Mollie enjoys spending time in nature, singing, songwriting, home decorating and design projects as well as teaching herself woodworking and always dreaming up new spaces, hoping to one day design her very own treehouse! She also loves spending time with her family including her Goldendoodle, Ludo.
