Nicole Moore-Geter is the visionary founder and driving force behind Counseling with a Purpose, a pioneering organization she established in 2018 to provide compassionate and effective mental health services to her community. Nicole’s unwavering dedication and innovative approach led to her well-deserved recognition as a 40 Under 40 community leader. Nicole secured a prestigious Minority Business Enterprise grant from the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. As the company flourished, Nicole’s commitment to empowering others led her to expand her team, welcoming three new talented individuals who share her passion for making a difference in people’s lives. She actively attempts to educate the community and provides awareness surrounding mental health and its underserved population. She is able to do this by offering free webinars and collaborating with other organizations in the community. A beloved staple in the community, Nicole Moore is not only a beacon of hope and healing but also a shining example of what can be accomplished through compassion, determination and a clear sense of purpose.
Dr. Juawana Hall is the founder and sole owner of Hillcrest Vision, a three-doctor eye care practice in Winston-Salem. Recently, she celebrated the 15-year anniversary of the practice. Hillcrest Vision has a long-standing commitment to serving the community through sponsorship of local events and teams, as well as providing vision screenings for children and information about eye health at health fairs. She would like to announce the opening of Hillcrest Vision’s second location in Mocksville, which opened in April. Dr. Hall founded her practice on the value of highly skilled eyecare in a family atmosphere and is excited to bring that same experience to the people of Davie County. In addition to patient care, Dr. Hall speaks nationally to educate other optometrists on advancements in the field and her offices serve as an internship site for student doctors. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Church and enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her husband and three kids.
Holly Kessler joined the Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministries staff in February 2024 and is a native of Winston-Salem. She previously served as the Senior Director of Public Relations at Crossnore Communities for Children and as the Connections Pastor at Providence Road Church of Christ in Charlotte. Holly holds a bachelor of arts in English from UNC Greensboro and a master of arts in organizational leadership with a concentration in nonprofit management from Regent University. She is a member of Leadership Winston-Salem’s Class of 2024 and the REACH Women’s Network. Holly and her husband, Jeff, have four adult children and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, playing games and spending time with their family and friends. The Kesslers are members at First Baptist Church on Fifth Street, where Holly serves as a Deacon.
Summer McGee is the President of Salem Academy and College, the nation’s oldest and continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the U.S. She joined Salem as the 22nd president in 2021 with a recently renewed term for an additional five years. McGee holds a doctorate in bioethics and health policy from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and graduated with two undergraduate degrees in philosophy and bioethics from Indiana University Bloomington. McGee is also a graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Management Development Program. She is an active member of the Winston-Salem community serving on the boards of Old Salem, Inc., Novant Health System Triad Region, REACH Women’s Network and North Carolina Biotechnology Center for the Triad Region. This year, the Triad Business Journal (TBJ) recognized McGee as an “Outstanding Women in Business” honoree and is a recipient of the TBJ’s Power Player Award for three consecutive years. Recently, McGee joined the national board of directors for the Council of Independent Colleges.
Darlene Haskins wears many hats in her professional life. She is the owner of Kiddin’ Around Drop-in Childcare, Life Saver as well as an ISR instructor. She is celebrating 10 years with ISR and more than 3,000 children taught. Darlene opened the drop-in center and has five staff members, helping parents with last-minute childcare options. With Life Saver, she is working to save lives with fencing, CPR, education, pool covers, alarms, security cameras and more. She also partners with organizations serving individuals with autism. In her spare time, Darlene enjoys spending time with her husband of 25 years, children Samantha, Ryen, Dylan, Ashley and grandson, Waylon, as well as skiing, swimming and skating.
Shannon Hodge is the CEO of Twin City Esthetics. She purchased and substantially grew a franchise business to employ and serve the local community! She is a licensed esthetician and truly believes in adopting hobbies that bring life to her soul. Shannon considers ministry work to be her occupation. In her spare time, she enjoys hitting the gym at least five days per week, spending time with her husband of 23 years, mentoring her children to thrive in their gifts, encouraging incarcerated citizens in their journey and, of course, enjoying beach or lake life where she finds serenity!
