Meet The Team
Meet the people behind the mission.
With an extensive career in the nonprofit sector across multiple states and disciplines, Rose brings a wide range of experience to the Activate Good team. She received her degree from Clemson University and now, after 11 years on the team, serves as our Executive Director.
ROSE THOMPSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Activating Good since 2013
Rose@ActivateGood.org
Bringing experience in marketing and public relations, publishing, and higher education administration Krystal has fulfilled many roles within Activate Good over the years and is now focused on team strategy, engagement and management.
KRYSTAL HARE
HUMAN RESOURCES &
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Activating Good since 2016
Krystal@ActivateGood.org
Lisa comes to Activate Good with four decades of experience. As an accomplished professional with expertise in nonprofits, government relations, and corporate arenas, her passion and motivation are to make a meaningful impact through the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
LISA BERWYN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Activating Good since 2024
Lisa@ActivateGood.org
Ethan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Elon University and brings experience to our team from his years of involvement with various organizations. He’s served as the VP of a service fraternity and started an organization to help minority-identifying students during his college years.
ETHAN GABRIEL
YOUTH & COLLEGE PROGRAMS
COORDINATOR
Activating Good since 2023
Ethan@ActivateGood.org
Dawn is a dedicated nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, event planning, and volunteer coordination. Passionate about giving back to the community, she brings creativity and a commitment to excellence to every event she plans, ensuring they are memorable for both participants and organizations.
DAWN DESOTO
PROGRAMS MANAGER
Activating Good since 2024
Dawn@ActivateGood.org
Formerly serving as one of our community partners for many years, Corrie now serves our team as the Corporate & Special Projects Coordinator. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UNC Asheville and brings over 15+ years of experience working with non-profits.
CORRIE MACNEIL
CORPORATE & SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Activating Good since 2023
Corrie@ActivateGood.org
Seyma is passionate about creating social impact and has worked with nonprofits in Europe on community engagement and European Union Youth projects. Formerly serving as a Fund Development Intern, she now serves as a Fund Development Assistant, bringing valuable experience supporting fundraising efforts.
SEYMA IRGUNES
FUND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Activating Good since 2024
Seyma@ActivateGood.org
JOIN OUR TEAM
Activate Good is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, veteran status, age, sex, genetic information, gender identification, sexual orientation, or marital status. All are welcome here.
Our Board of Directors
Bill has been a passionate advocate for volunteering, mentorship, and community service. From his years as a United States Marine, working 21 years at Cisco, a Solution Architect at The Select Group and now Board Chair of Activate Good, he plays a key role in supporting fundraising initiatives and driving impactful community programs. Dedicated to fostering civic engagement.
BILL HALVORSEN
BOARD CHAIR
Activating Good since 2018
With over 15 years of financial services industry experience, Megan brings a wealth of leadership experience along with a broad volunteer background. She is committed to making a positive impact on her community.
MEGAN LOFTIN
VICE CHAIR
Activating Good since 2024
Gerald brings an extensive background of servant leadership, public speaking, and economic trailblazing. He currently serves as the President of the Raleigh-Apex National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
GERALD GIVENS
BOARD TREASURER
Activating Good since 2021
Nick’s passion for community service began in the Boy Scouts of America and has been a driving force throughout his career. He is an attorney at Smith Anderson, the largest law firm headquartered in the Triangle, and is dedicated to addressing the pressing needs of our local community.
NICK ZANZOT
BOARD SECRETARY
Activating Good since 2025
Olivia brings years of experience in Communications and Human Resources across various industries, holds an MBA from Iona College, and served as a faithful volunteer with AG before joining the board.
OLIVIA ECKER
Activating Good since 2020
Passionate about serving the local community, Shilpa helps connect and promote local businesses, nonprofits, artisans and community events in the Triangle area via her marketing startup Localista.
A technologist by profession, she strives to make a positive impact by shining a spotlight on social needs and small businesses.
SHILPA GOVIND
Activating Good since 2025
A technology marketing executive with more than 40 years of experience, Chuck is the co-founder of A Purpose Partnership - an on-demand marketing agency based in Raleigh. He currently also serves on the board of We Will Walk With You, advocating for special-needs young adults.
CHUCK HESTER
Activating Good since 2025
Katelyn brings several years of professional leadership experience in the areas of corporate communications, human resources and learning & development; she holds a Master's Degree in Education. Katelyn has a passion for connecting people in many ways, and a passion for partnering corporate organizations with the community to increase volunteerism and philanthropy.
KATELYN HOCKENBERG
Activating Good since 2024
Katherine brings a wealth of experience in project management and data analytics. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University; and is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, education, and leadership development. Katherine has a heart for people and is committed to giving back to our community.
KATHERINE JORDAN
Activating Good since 2025
Since his early career in the corporate world and his career at the State of North Carolina, John believes that volunteering is critically needed to strengthen our communities. He loves to volunteer and assists with Activate Good's governing topics.
JOHN LESKOVEC
Activating Good since 2024
Anu brings leadership experience in data and analytics across industries. She is passionate about giving back and supporting diverse community needs through her personal and professional experiences.
ANU MILLER
Activating Good since 2024
Sonali is a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill, the founder & Executive Director of Youth Ambassadors of Service, and a Governor's Volunteer Service Award winner. She also serves on the Alumni Board of Leadership Triangle and was named by The United Way of the Greater Triangle on their 10 to Watch list in October 2023.
SONALI RATNASINGHE
Activating Good since 2022
Patricia is the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs at Saint Mary's School. Her diverse professional background includes a mix of sports TV production, communications, secondary school education, and DEIB with a passion for helping young people maximize their potential, developing leaders and serving her community.
PATRICIA SASSER
Lily is a board member and brings over 10 years of experience in community service and volunteer efforts. Currently, she is the Managing Director at Experis / ManpowerGroup. Her commitment to her community continues to drive Activate Good's mission forward.
LILY SCOTT SETTLES
Mona is a technology consultant with a passion to make the lives of others around her better. A long time resident of Cary she has led many volunteer initiatives and her greatest joy is getting others to volunteer too. She volunteers as an ESL teacher for refugees and leads a group called Helping Hands that helps feed and provide supplies to the needy in the community.
MONA SINGH
Activating Good since 2025
Nocha brings over 20 years experience in strategy and marketing from the biotechnology and agriculture industries. She is passionate about making the world a better place and attempts to do so every day.
NOCHA VAN THIELEN
Activating Good since 2025
Advisory Board
Michael Del Tufo
Advisory Board Chair
James Jolley
Kimberley Sirk
Bernard Hsu
Stephanie Brady
Natalie Smith
Peter Michaels
Jenn Woodhull-Smith
Susana Poteat
Cyndy Yu-Robinson
Tom Schnittker
