{"id":1077,"date":"2025-08-19T06:31:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T06:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stg.womennc.org\/?page_id=1077"},"modified":"2026-06-02T19:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T19:05:44","slug":"board-and-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/womennc.org\/index.php\/board-and-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Staff\/Board of Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet our Board and Staff<\/h1><\/div>

WomenNC’s board, staff, and interns are devoted gender equity advocates who are dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Staff<\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Danielle Watson-Goetz<\/h2><\/div>

Staff \u2022 Executive Director<\/p>\n<\/div>

Danie Watson-Goetz is a writer, editor, and social media manager that serves as the Executive Director of WomenNC. Danie\u2019s work has always prioritized education and empowerment. Her previous work in higher education, justice reform, curriculum development and nonprofit operations especially drew her to this project because she believes that education is at the cornerstone of reform and equity. She holds an MA in Creative Writing, an MFA in Creative Writing Education, both from Wilkes University, an MBA from St. Mary\u2019s University of Minnesota, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Board of
\nDirectors<\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Beth Dehghan<\/h2><\/div>

WomenNC Founder, President, Programming Co-Chair<\/p>\n<\/div>

Beth Dehghan is a humanitarian and activist advocating for women\u2019s human rights locally and globally, and she is also the fonder of WomenNC. Her unwavering commitment to gender equality has been showcased at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meetings since the Beijing Conference in 1995. Her vision and leadership has gained international recognition. Beth\u2019s advocacy work extends beyond her local work. She has actively participated as an NGO representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. She attended the 54th session of the HRC in 2023, highlighting issues to advance the cause of women\u2019s rights at the international level. Beth is also the founder of the NC Coalition for CEDAW and has served as a board member for several local and national organizations, including UNA-Wake, Wake County Commission for Women, Iranian American Community of NC, and the US Women Caucus at the United Nations. Beth\u2019s educational background is in Biological Sciences. She and her husband are entrepreneurs. She has two daughters and one granddaughter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Allyson Cobb<\/h2><\/div>

Vice President, Fundraising Co-Chair<\/p>\n<\/div>

Allyson Cobb, MPA, a San Francisco native with deep Durham roots, serves as Director of External Partnerships at North Carolina A&T State University, where she advances collaboration at the intersection of research, economic development, and emerging technologies.<\/div>\n
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Formerly the Director of Community Engagement & Learning at United Way of the Greater Triangle, she has led cross-sector partnerships that drive equitable outcomes across the region. A 2022 Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, Aspen Institute Fellow, and Leadership Triangle Goodmon Fellow, Allyson also serves as Co-Chair of the Durham Minority Economic Development Institute Council, Vice President of WomenNC, and on the Board of Directors for the Triangle MLK Committee.<\/div>\n
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She holds degrees from North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central University, and is pursuing her Doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill. Inspired by Coretta Scott King, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive innovation and purpose-driven impact.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Gabriela Goodman<\/h2><\/div>

Secretary, Alumni Relations Co-Chair, WomenNC Alumni<\/p>\n<\/div>

Gabriela Goodman is a research assistant at the Brookings Institution\u2019s Center for Economic Security and Opportunity. She was a 2021 \u2013 2022 WomenNC Scholar, during which she conducted a Durham-based study about the effects of child care access on parental employment and well-being. Gabriela graduated with a BS in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Luther Hodges Scholar and was awarded the 2023 Undergraduate Prize in Economics and the Kenan Institute\u2019s 2022 James Johnson Policy Impact Award for efforts to alleviate socioeconomic disparities. While at UNC, her experiences included conducting research in the economics department, interning at the US House of Representatives, and serving as president of UNC Mental Health Ambassadors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Talia Chavis<\/h2><\/div>

Programming Co-Chair, Alumni Relations Co-Chair, WomenNC Alumni<\/p>\n<\/div>

Talia Chavis is an alumna of North Carolina Central University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education with Honors Distinction. She is a previous scholar, having participated in the program during the 2022-2023 year. Her research topic was Addressing Health Disparities: Would Black Women in Leadership Be Part of the Solution? She has a strong interest in health policy, research, and administration. She has interned with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Health Equity and with Wake County Health and Human Services. Talia plans to pursue both a Master\u2019s and Doctorate in Public Health. Her education and experiences during her collegiate career have shaped her into a champion for equity and change. Talia served multiple student leadership roles during her time at North Carolina Central University, including as an Honors Council member. In addition to the WomenNC Board, she volunteers actively on the Executive Leadership Team of The HBCUSTEMuLus. In her free time, Talia enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading, and following women\u2019s basketball.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Lori Bunton<\/h2><\/div>

Marketing and Outreach Co-Chair<\/p>\n<\/div>

Lori Bunton is a retired pharmaceutical executive and longtime activist for women\u2019s rights. She spent nearly 28 years working in established companies as large as Eli Lilly and instart-up biopharmaceutical organizations. Her career spanned sales, marketing and market research. Lori has previously served on the board of Planned Parenthood in TN. In N.C., she was Secretary and Membership Chair with the NationalOrganization for Women and President of the North Carolina Alliance for HealthyCommunities in Raleigh. She is past Co-President of the ERA-NC Alliance, where she has been a Board member for seven years, serving as Secretary and VPMembership for the Alliance and recently resumed a Board VP role helping with membership. Lori also serves on the board of ProChoice NC and as VP of Programming with AAUW ODC. She has served on the Advisory Board for WomenNC for over two years. Her other volunteer work has included career coaching with Dress for Success in Durham and moderating panel discussions for the social club, Gray Matters.<\/p>\n

Lori has a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Tennessee. Lori has lived all over the U.S. and in Germany and now resides in the Raleigh-Durham area since 2007. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Chalina Morgan-Lopez<\/h2><\/div>

Board Member and WomenNC Alumni<\/p>\n<\/div>

Chalina graduated from NC State University with a degree in Political Science in 2026. She is an alumni of the 2025-2026 WomenNC Scholars Program. Her research examined access to resources for Latinx survivors of intimate partner violence in Mecklenburg, Durham, and Duplin counties. She is passionate about advancing public health policy for marginalized communities and has held various roles in sexual violence prevention, reproductive justice, and disability advocacy on and off campus. Most recently, Chalina has interned with the U.S. House of Representatives and Dysautonomia International and currently serves on the board of Pro-Choice North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Cindy Sinkez<\/h2><\/div>

Marketing and Outreach Co-Chair<\/p>\n<\/div>

Cindy Sinkez is a passionate advocate, connector, and community leader with over two decades of experience championing women and driving grassroots impact. As the Marketing Coordinator for The Mirrors Venue at The Woman\u2019s Club of Raleigh, Cindy brings both creativity and purpose to her work. She is helping amplify voices and create spaces that inspire connection and empowerment.<\/p>\n

Throughout her career, she has led several successful non-profit organizations and has been a tireless advocate for women’s issues. She\u2019s knocked on doors at the North Carolina Legislative Building, shared her personal story with elected officials, and continues to believe that every story has the power to create change.<\/p>\n

Cindy is dedicated to building community through meaningful relationships and believes in the power of bringing people together to support and uplift one another. Her message is clear: every story makes a difference, and all stories deserve to be heard.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Johnette Smith<\/h2><\/div>

Board Member<\/p>\n<\/div>

Johnette Smith is a seasoned Career Coach at Wake Technical Community College with over five years of experience supporting students through career exploration, professional development, and successful transitions into the workforce. She works with prospective, enrolled, and alumni students to clarify career pathways, set achievable goals, and access resources that support long-term success.<\/p>\n

Deeply committed to equity in education and employment, Johnette\u2019s work focuses on dismantling barriers to career advancement, challenging misconceptions, and creating opportunities that translate aspiration into action. She brings a student-centered, justice-oriented approach to her leadership and collaboration across higher education and community partnerships.<\/p>\n

Beyond her work in career development, Johnette is a dedicated advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. A former North Carolina Domestic Violence Commissioner, where she contributed to statewide advocacy efforts, approved court-ordered Domestic Violence Intervention Programs, evaluated survivor support services, and championed innovative initiatives to strengthen systems of care.<\/p>\n

A proud North Carolina native with roots in historic New Bern, Johnette holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. She currently resides in Cary, NC and is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for WomenNC, advancing the organization\u2019s mission to promote equity, justice, and empowerment for women locally and globally.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr. Melanie Mintzer<\/h2><\/div>

Board Member<\/p>\n<\/div>

Medicine is in Dr. Mintzer’s roots. Her father was a small-town family doctor, and growing up watching him care for his community planted something in her that never left. She trained at McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, graduating in 1980, and completed her Family Medicine residency at UCSF San Francisco General Hospital in 1983.<\/div>\n
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Dr. Mintzer spent nearly two decades at UNC School of Medicine, where she taught in pre-clinical courses in Social Medicine, Pharmacology, Pathology,\u00a0 and Clinical Problem Solving. She taught third and fourth year students during their rotations in Family Medicine and also trained resident physicians during their three years of family medicine residency.\u00a0 Dr. Mintzer has served as medical director of the Orange County Health Department and Planned Parenthood of Orange and Durham Counties, doing work that shaped her commitment to underserved communities.<\/div>\n
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In 2005, Dr. Mintzer founded Generations Family Practice in Cary, which grew into a ten-provider practice and earned recognition as the Best Family Doctor in Western Wake County by Cary Magazine for five consecutive years.\u00a0 She retired from full time private practice in 2022, and now is in part time medical practice with Aegis Medical Center, a division of the Rao Clinic. Dr. Mintzer volunteers as a physician at the Mariam clinic, a free clinic on Sundays which provides care for patients without insurance.\u00a0 Her hobbies include weaving, knitting, growing vegetables, and providing childcare for my grandson one day a week.\u00a0 Dr. Mintzer is honored to serve on the board of Women NC.<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
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Mouniratou Maman Alfa<\/h2><\/div>

Board Member<\/p>\n<\/div>

Mouniratou Maman Alfa graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Master\u2019s in International Studies with a pre-law background. Her work and advocacy focus on human rights, global health, and social justice, with particular attention to structural inequalities, post-colonial governance, and access to health and education in underserved communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1077","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nStaff\/Board of Directors - WomenNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/womennc.org\/index.php\/board-and-staff\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Staff\/Board of Directors - 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