Marie Plummer
Owner, Winston-Salem Dog Care
Marie Plummer is the co-owner of Winston-Salem Dog Care, the largest pet care provider in the Triad. Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, she attended Appalachian State University, where she played softball and met her husband and business partner, Justin. Together they built Winston-Salem Dog Care into a trusted resource for families across the region, offering in-home pet care, daycare, boarding, and transportation services.
Under Marie’s leadership, the company has developed structured operational systems, expanded to a team of more than 30 staff members, and established a state-licensed, insured, and bonded facility serving the Winston-Salem community. The business has received multiple community-voted awards and is recognized for raising standards within the local pet care industry.
Marie is also passionate about animal welfare and works closely with local shelters and rescue organizations. One initiative she is especially proud of is the Shelter Outings Program, which gives shelter dogs time outside the kennel environment, providing enrichment and helping increase their chances of adoption.
Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Education and a bachelor’s degree in English from Appalachian State University, along with a master’s degree in Health Education and Health Administration from East Carolina University. She and Justin are raising three children and share their home with three dogs. Outside of work, Marie enjoys traveling, endurance training, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Emma Citro
Editor in Chief, The Edge Magazine at Elon University
Emma Citro is the Editor in Chief of The Edge, Elon University’s student-run magazine, where she leads a team of writers, photographers, designers, and editors in producing original editorial content. In this role, she guides students through all aspects of magazine journalism, from concept development and storytelling to visual production and publication.
Emma’s leadership focuses on collaboration and creativity, helping students develop their voices while gaining real-world experience in the magazine industry. Through her work at The Edge, she has overseen editorial planning, coordinated creative teams, and contributed to the magazine’s mission of showcasing student talent and diverse perspectives on campus.
She has also gained professional experience as an intern with Forsyth Magazines, where she worked alongside editors and creative teams on photo shoots, editorial projects, and administrative responsibilities that support magazine production. The experience strengthened her understanding of the publishing process and the collaborative nature of the industry.
Emma is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Elon University and holds an associate degree in Advertising and Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Outside of her academic and editorial work, she enjoys writing, dancing, and cooking. When she is home, one of her favorite traditions is watching scary movies with her mother, Elaine.
Alexandra Salas
Executive Director, SECU Family House
Alexandra Salas serves as Executive Director of SECU Family House, a compassionate, affordable home-away-from-home for adult patients and their families traveling to Winston-Salem for medical care. With more than 20 years of nonprofit and business leadership experience, she is known for guiding organizations with both operational excellence and deep empathy.
Before joining SECU Family House, Alexandra served as CEO of Bpeace, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic empowerment in crisis-affected communities. Her career in service has spanned continents, sectors, and cultures, focusing on strengthening organizations and creating opportunities for those facing significant challenges.
Her professional journey became deeply personal when her teenage son underwent cancer treatment. That experience reshaped her perspective on systems of care and the real needs of families navigating medical crises. Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, Alexandra became a passionate advocate for caregivers and patient families.
At SECU Family House, she leads with a commitment to ensuring that referred patients and their loved ones have a welcoming place to stay without the burden of financial stress.
A proud multilingual culture enthusiast, Alexandra enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Outside of work, she can often be found playing racket sports, hosting lively game nights, or keeping up with her two energetic French bulldogs.
Shannon B. Henry
President & CEO, Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
Shannon B. Henry is the President and CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, where she is leading a period of organizational stabilization, financial restructuring, and strategic renewal for the council’s 75-year legacy. Her leadership emphasizes long-term sustainability and positioning the arts as a powerful driver of economic vitality, education, and community well-being.
Before assuming the permanent role, Shannon served as Interim President and CEO following several years of board service, guiding the organization through a critical transition and strengthening its role as a cultural anchor for the region.
Her career spans corporate, academic, public sector, and nonprofit leadership. She began her professional journey in corporate surety, legal, and accounting roles in New York before transitioning into public service focused on financial oversight, accountability, and institutional integrity. Within the University of North Carolina System, she held senior executive roles including Chief Audit, Risk, and Compliance Officer for Winston-Salem State University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She later became the first Chief Operating Officer of PBS North Carolina and most recently served as Acting Chief Strategy Officer at Winston-Salem State University.
In addition to her executive work, Shannon is the founder of Huehattan, a bespoke hat line reflecting her belief that creativity, leadership, and personal expression are deeply connected.
Chantae Reynolds
Owner, JK Woodworked Creations
Chantae Reynolds is the co-owner and creative director of JK Woodworked Creations LLC, a family-owned woodworking and laser engraving business based in Winston-Salem. Through her leadership, the business has grown into a creative hub known for its mobile paint parties, pop-up art events, personalized wood products, and community-centered experiences.
An educator at heart, Chantae blends her passion for teaching with entrepreneurship by creating welcoming spaces where people of all ages feel comfortable exploring their creativity. Her workshops and events are intentionally designed to be fun, stress-free, and accessible to beginners and experienced creators alike.
She regularly collaborates with community organizations and local businesses, including Kaleideum, Wise Man Brewing, Brouwerij DuBois, area schools, and nonprofit groups. These partnerships help bring creative experiences to a wider audience while supporting local causes and strengthening community connections.
Chantae volunteers with LEAD Girls, mentoring young women in confidence, creativity, and leadership, and she is also a member of Mixxer, a collective that connects local makers and entrepreneurs. She additionally organizes Cash Mob events that encourage the community to intentionally support small businesses.
JK Woodworked Creations was founded alongside her late husband, Justin Kankula, whose artistic vision continues to inspire the work she carries forward through creativity, resilience, and community engagement.
Kari Kuhn
Owner, Tartan Organizing
Kari Kuhn is the owner of Tartan Organizing, a professional organization company that has been helping clients transform residential and commercial spaces for more than five years. She leads a dedicated team that specializes in creating functional, efficient environments designed to simplify daily life and improve productivity.
Under Kari’s leadership, Tartan Organizing has expanded its services to support a wide range of projects, from organizing small local businesses to coordinating full-home reorganizations for clients relocating from out of state. Her approach combines thoughtful design with practical systems that make spaces easier to maintain over time.
Before founding Tartan Organizing, Kari built a career in operations, where she developed expertise in process management, logistics, and workflow optimization. That background now informs her work with clients, allowing her to approach organizing with a strategic, systems-based mindset that focuses on both functionality and sustainability.
Kari earned a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising from Northern Illinois University.
Outside of her work, Kari enjoys spending time in the mountains and pursuing hobbies that keep her active and creative, including mountain biking, hiking, sewing, baking, and gardening. She lives in Advance with her husband, Adam, and their daughter, Stella.
