The Rising Stars: The next generation of leaders who are already making waves (limited to those 35 years old and younger)
Megan Buchbinder
EVP of Marketing & Strategy, Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Since joining the Wilmington and Beaches CVB in March, Megan Buchbinder has focused on advancing several major initiatives tied to economic development through tourism.
WHY SHE’S A RISING STAR: Buchbinder helped launch Holidays on Water in partnership with the CVB, the city of Wilmington, Wilmington Downtown Inc. and the Wilmington chamber. She also supported the rollout of the Tourism Master Plan Action Plan, a multiyear roadmap guiding the growth of the county’s tourism economy. As part of her work on long-term strategy, she contributed to planning efforts to promote New Hanover County as a leading destination.
Buchbinder also restructured the marketing department, promoting team members and bringing content creation in-house. This shift strengthened the CVB’s ability to share community-focused stories while generating organizational cost savings. She developed a new community engagement manager role designed to help redefine the CVB’s commitment to local connection.
MOVING EAST: Before joining the local CVB, Buchbinder served as director of marketing for Visit Springfield, Missouri, where she led the organization through a full rebrand and campaign development.
Eion Dockery
Co-Founder, Port City FC
Port City FC is Wilmington’s soccer team, founded by Tim Williams, Joey Lipoff, Nic Gunyon and Eion Dockery in 2022. It includes a men’s and women’s team.
WHY HE’S A RISING STAR: Port City FC men's team bounced back from a winless season in 2024 to finishing second place in conference after regular season play, then competed in the regional semifinals in what was a turnaround season. In the club’s four years, the team has been promoted to a higher division each year.
Port City FC introduced women’s semi-professional soccer to Wilmington. The club’s women’s team completed its first regular season this year in a nationally recognized league, maintaining a top-15 ranking throughout the season.
Dockery said that the club provides a platform showcasing the efforts of talent, hard work and dedication for college athletes who are aiming higher to become professional individuals on and off the field.
LEAGUES OF THEIR OWN: The latest promotion is for the men's program to compete in the USL League Two and the women's program stepping into the USL W League.
Travis Henley
Comprehensive Planning & Urban Design Manager, City of Wilmington
Travis Henley’s role includes shaping how Wilmington grows physically, socially and economically. Before joining the city of Wilmington, Henley served as planning and community development director for Pender County and development services director for the city of Southport.
WHY HE’S A RISING STAR: This year, Henley’s main accomplishment has been leading the drafting and release of the city’s Greater Downtown Plan.
Developed with input from more than 5,000 residents, the plan outlines a roadmap for Greater Downtown neighborhoods, the Central Business District and emerging retail corridors. Henley is now guiding the transition from planning to implementation, continuing engagement efforts to ensure community priorities remain central to each step.
At the same time, he is contributing to preparations for an update to the Create Wilmington Comprehensive Plan to support long-term, strategic growth.
Henley is also helping develop a citywide Community Engagement Framework intended to make public participation more accessible and consistent across city initiatives. This work supports future efforts, including a Neighborhood Planning Program designed to bring planning discussions directly to local communities as part of plan implementation.
HIGHER LEARNING: Henley also teaches in UNCW’s Master of Public Administration program, focusing on how local policy and decision-making influence long-term community outcomes.
Devin Lessard
Founder, NSEA Swim
NSEA Swim is focused on increasing water safety and preventing drownings in the area.
WHY SHE’S A RISING STAR: This year, founder Devin Lessard has led NSEA Swim during a period of significant growth. The organization has reached its largest team size to date, increasing from 20 swimmers in 2019 to 95 in 2025. Under Lessard’s leadership, six swimmers who trained with NSEA Swim are currently competing at the collegiate level. Alongside team development, the organization continues to focus on providing water access and instruction for individuals and families across the Wilmington community, including aquatic therapy, swim lessons and water-based classes.
NONPROFIT WORK: Through its nonprofit arm, the NSEA Swim Foundation, the organization provides free swim lessons for children and adults as well as free water aerobics classes. Additional offerings include certification courses in CPR, lifeguarding and water safety instruction.
Stefanie Roback
Therapist & Founder, Allora Rise Counseling and Therapy
Stefanie Roback is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical addictions specialist.
WHY SHE’S A RISING STAR: Roback this year led several developments at Allora Rise Counseling and Therapy. The practice expanded its team by three new members, increasing its capacity to serve clients.
This year, Roback also established a partnership to provide pro-bono services for the Wilmington Fire Department.
As owner of Allora Rise Counseling and Therapy, Roback guides the practice’s efforts to offer mental health support and wellness services to the community. The organization seeks to address barriers connected to mental health care and works to ensure accessible, high-quality services for individuals seeking support.
COLLECTIVE MEASURES: Roback is also a co-founder, along with Shaina Frank, of the Millennial Therapist Collective, a group that holds bi-monthly meetups for mental health professionals in the area.
Alexis Siebert
Founder, Topsail Young Professionals
In 2024, Alexis Siebert, marketing coordinator for Patriot Roofing, partnered with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to form Topsail Young Professionals.
WHY SHE’S A RISING STAR: Topsail Young Professionals is a networking and career development group for the Pender County demographic.
Siebert this year also supported the growth of Topsail Young Professionals (TYP), helping to expand engagement and opportunities for emerging leaders in the community.
TYP meets monthly and will offer various types of events, such as networking events, lunch and learns, open forum conversations, workshops, business mentorship events and community service projects.
In 2025, Siebert was appointed to the Greater Topsail Chamber of Commerce’s board.
MARKETING NODS: In her role at Patriot Roofing, Siebert was part of the team that earned non-builder Best Social Media, Best Video Marketing and Best Marketing Campaign (non-builder) accolades this year at the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association’s MAX! Awards.
Read more about the 2025 WilmingtonBiz 100 honorees by clicking here.
