Print
Achievers & Accolades

Chamber Announces 2025 Leadership Wilmington Participants, Award Winners

By Staff Reports, posted Jul 30, 2024
Kayla Byrd Richardi (center) received the Class Member of the Year Award from Leadership Wilmington. She is joined in the photo by Stephanie Lanier (right) and Laura Brogdon-Primavera. (Photo courtesy of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce)

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has announced the members of its 2025 Leadership Wilmington Cohort and the recipients of two awards.

"The 2025 cohort includes a diverse mix of professionals from various sectors, representing a wide range of employer sizes, industries, educational backgrounds, and lived experiences," according to a news release. "This diversity ensures a rich and cohesive group experience, fostering unique perspectives and innovative solutions."

The selected individuals are:

  • Daniela Ayers, LS3P Associates LTD.
  • Roy Bechtold, Raymond James & Associates
  • Dori Bishara, REV Federal Credit Union
  • Philip Michael Blalock, Samet Corporation
  • Zachary Brigman, Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
  • Webster Burrier, Dominion Wealth Management
  • Robin Davis, Corning Credit Union
  • Blair Deen, Novant Health
  • Julia Eckel, Cape Fear Commercial
  • Will Gammons, Vantaca
  • Rebekah Garcia, Legal Aid of North Carolina – Wilmington
  • Jasmine Henry, Wilmington Housing Authority
  • Marie Humphrey, North Carolina State Ports Authority
  • Ben Jacobson, EARNEY Accountants & Advisors
  • Jamir Jumoke, Leading Into New Communities (LINC)
  • Anderson King, Risley Padula Construction
  • Julia Kost, Advanced Marketing International, INC (Admark)
  • Madeline Lipe Williams, Ward and Smith, P.A.
  • Lauren Masters, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
  • Peter Miller, United Way of the Cape Fear Area
  • Megan Mullins, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
  • Zackery Norris, Andrew Consulting Engineers, PC
  • Sonya Peele, YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear, Inc.
  • Donterio Perkins, Cape Fear Community College
  • Jesse Dixon Pridgen, Liberty Health
  • Brad Rudiger, PBMares
  • Dario Salzano, GE Hitachi
  • Elizabeth Severt, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
  • Kenny Siddons, nCino
  • Drew Smith, Copiers Plus
  • Nicole Smith, City of Wilmington
  • Samantha Suozzi, DMJPS, PLLC
  • Jodi Walker, New Hanover County
  • Ethan Walling, First Citizens Bank & Trust
  • Stephen White, Thomas Construction Group, LLC
  • Spencer Wright, Live Oak Bank

Additionally, more than 20 members of the Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council joined the celebration to honor the recipients of two awards:
  • Class Member of the Year: Kayla Byrd Richardi, North Carolina State Ports Authority, Class of 2024
  • Karl Davis Alumnus of the Year: Jason Clamme (pictured in the center at right), Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, Class of 2007


"Leadership Wilmington, presented by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for 40 years, cultivates leaders and strengthens the regional economy through hands-on community immersion and interaction with current leaders," the release stated.

A key component of the program is the planning and execution of Work on Wilmington, the community’s largest one-day volunteer service event, the release stated.

CORRECTION: This version corrects the workplace for Brad Rudiger.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign13

The Benefits of Choosing Local Partners in Construction

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group
Chris coudriet

Housing Initiatives Creating Meaningful Impact in New Hanover County

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government
Untitleddesign4 212391244

Firing With Compassion

Andy Almeter - Leath HR Group, LLC

Trending News

Tech Wilmington: Upcoming Events Calendar

Staff Reports - Feb 5, 2025

Vantaca Hires Four Executives With Decades Of Scale-up Experience

Staff Reports - Feb 4, 2025

NCino Appoints New CEO

Staff Reports - Feb 3, 2025

City Leaders Approve Special Use Permit For Midtown Pickleball Facility

Emma Dill - Feb 5, 2025

Workforce Housing Panel: Some Steps Taken, But Problem Getting Worse

Emma Dill - Feb 4, 2025

In The Current Issue

NCino Aims To Make Most Of AI

The rapid pace of technological development combined with a stream of regulations and requirements from the federal government has been stre...


Bakatsias Restaurant Group Grows Locally

Giorgios Bakatsias and his company – Giorgios Hospitality Group – will also be opening Tomikosan sushi bar at Lumina Station, bringing the g...


Small Business Spotlight: Business Owner Goes Out On A Limb

This month's Small Business Spotlight focuses on Tree Nerds, a tree service that opened last year....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season