Meet Our Team
We Are Hiring!
Want to join our team? Take a look at the position to see if you are who we’re looking for.
Joy Nelson Thomas
Founder & Executive Director
Read Joy's Bio
Joy holds a B.A. from Salem College and is a certified Life Coach through an ICF (International Coach Federation)-recognized institution. She is also certified in safe-talk and suicide prevention. Joy’s ‘why’ in life is: “impact every girl that comes in her life in some way.” Joy feels it’s our responsibility to be the change we want to see in our community, not just talk about it.
She is active in the community and serves on the boards and leadership committees of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, Carolina Core FC Academy, and Winston-Salem Fashion Week. She is also a contributor for Triad Voice Business Inspiration section.
Joy has received numerous honors recognizing her accomplishments as a nonprofit and business leader. Most recently, she was the proud recipient of the 2022 Black Business Ink 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad and the 2021 Triad Business Journal C-Suite Award.
When Joy is not working to change a girl, a community, and the world, she’s spending time with her husband Jasper and her four-year-old son, JT.
Tahja Gaymon
Development & Community Engagement Coordinator
Read Tahja's Bio
Tahja holds an M.P.A from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a B.A. from Bennett College. Most recently she worked as the Director of Alumnae Engagement for Salem Academy.
With over eleven years of nonprofit experience Tahja most recently served on the board of LEAD Girls of NC before joining the organization as the Resource Development Officer. She currently serves on the Seven Over 70 Committee and has served on several other boards in the community including Horizons Residential Care Center, Winston-Salem Foundation Women’s Fund Committee, and the YWCA Women of Vision Committee. She is also a graduate of the HandsOn Wake Forest University Women’s Emerging Leaders Program. And she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tahja is a connector, servant leader and always looks for opportunities to help enrich someone’s life. “Each time I encounter someone I want to be able to say their life is better because of something I said or did to help them along the way.”
Tahja is a native of Charlotte, NC but spent her high school years in Oklahoma. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching action-packed movies with her husband, and is a dedicated ‘dance mom’ to a very active teenage daughter.
Nadiya Debnam
Program Coordinator
Read Nadiya's Bio
Nadiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership in the Public Sector from North Carolina State University. She is passionate about youth development, community engagement, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Through her volunteer leadership with Top Teens of America and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., she has dedicated her time to mentoring youth, serving the community, and creating opportunities for young people to grow in confidence and leadership.
Nadiya believes that every girl deserves access to positive role models, meaningful experiences, and a supportive community that encourages her to reach her full potential. She is excited to be part of the LEAD Girls team and support its mission of developing strong, confident, and purpose-driven young women. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Nadiya enjoys fashion, traveling, spending time with family, and creating memorable experiences.
Jacqueline Morgan
Program Facilitator
Read Jacqueline's Bio
Jacqueline Morgan holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from High Point University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. With over a decade of experience in teaching and mentoring, she is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Jacqueline has dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds. She finds fulfillment in teaching and guiding others to embrace growth and pursue meaningful success.
Deeply committed to her community, Jacqueline actively supports initiatives that promote personal and professional development. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, writing, mentoring others, and finding inspiration in life’s simple moments. Jacqueline resides in Winston-Salem, NC, with her family, drawing strength from her faith and the love of those closest to her.
Shine Seon
Fellow
Read Shine's Bio
Shine Seon is a Chicago native and a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. She is currently living in Winston-Salem as a member of the Winston-Salem Fellows program, through which she is excited to be a member of the LEAD Girls team. Her academic passions include positive psychology, addiction psychology, and trauma studies.
Having worked with youth through church and summer camp for years, Shine is especially passionate about working with young girls—empowering them to recognize their worth, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, and supporting them as they grow.
Outside of her academic and professional interests, Shine enjoys playing team sports, cooking and baking, and enjoying the outdoors. She is so excited to be in Winston-Salem and at LEAD Girls!
Ambassadors
Kenya Anthony
A’lani Gaither
Audrey Greene
Shaquinn Harrison
Sienna Keoner
A’Laya Little
Zion Moffett
Aujanae Pate
D’Khariyah Patterson-Stevenson