Alexis Addison (MPA 2020) is a Strategy, Growth, and Transformation Consultant at CREO Consulting. She currently serves as the President of the NC State Master of Public Administration Alumni Society Board and was recognized as the NC State MPA Distinguished Alumni in 2024. She started her career in the non-profit sector as an Administrative Assistant, transitioning to an Administrative Coordinator, and then the Business Operations Manager at the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA). Alexis then took a new opportunity in the public sector as a Program Manager at the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships prior to joining CREO. During college, she served as Captain of the NC State Women’s Track and Field team, earned various All-American and All-ACC Conference honors, and competed at the 2016 USA Track and Field Olympic Trials. Alexis was initiated in the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Incorporated® at NC State University, and is currently a proud member of the Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of AKA serving the Western Wake County community.

Christopher (Chris) C. Blue (MPA 2005, AOMP Alumni). In his time with CHPD, he served as a patrol officer, Crime Prevention officer, SERT Commander, Patrol Commander, and Assistant Police Chief​ before he was appointed to the position of Police Chief in 2010. ​In 2017, Chris was named as Chapel Hill’s Executive Director for Community Safety and his portfolio expanded to include Parking Services, Building and Development Services/Code Enforcement, and Emergency Management​. Chris was appointed as Interim Town Manager in January of 2023 and was selected as Town Manager a few months later. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill​ and his Master’s in Public Administration from North Carolina State University​. Chris currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of Coastal Horizons, and as Chair of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.​

Ms. Evonne Carawan (PS 1986) is a Department of the Navy Senior Advisor for Quality-of-Life programs provided to Sailors, Marines, families, retirees, and civilians worldwide. Her experience includes oversight of civilian leadership and development for Headquarters Marine Corps, as well as the conceptualization and implementation of the Single Marine Program statewide and overseas. Evonne has a distinguished volunteer background, having served in regional and national leadership positions with Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity (National Vice President and Foundation Trustee) and the National Panhellenic Conference.

Bill Hodgin (PS 1974/MPA 1976) retired from Wells Fargo Private Bank where he served as the Senior Vice President and Senior Trust and Fiduciary Specialist. Bill’s entire career was spent in the Financial Services Industry. He served in the U.S. Army as a Captain, Airborne Infantry Officer. He volunteers with Friendship Trays and the Shepherd Center. He served as the Board President of Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Center, and a board member for Charlotte Goodwill Industries. Bill was Chairman of the Boy Scout Committee MPUMC and served on the Boy Scout Eagle Review Board. 

Bryan Hum (PS 2013) is a Senior Government Relations Director with Elevance Health, using his experience in government and policy to advocate for and support Elevance’s Medicaid business in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Elevance, Bryan served in the Washington Mayor’s Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs working as a liaison between the executive and legislative branches, advocating for Mayoral policies focused on health, labor and workforce development, government operations, and budgetary matters. In 2017, with a fellow NC State alumna, he created the Wilkinson-Hum Government Scholarship to support students interested in careers in government, international affairs, public policy, and law. Bryan earned his bachelor’s degrees in political science and international studies from NC State in 2013, and his juris doctor from Albany Law School in 2016. 

James Kryskowiak (LPS 2018) is the Brand Protection Manager at Church & Dwight Co., Inc., where he leads global initiatives to safeguard intellectual property and combat counterfeiting. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Raleigh Police Department supervisor, he has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, security, and brand protection. James co-founded and co-leads Church & Dwight’s Veteran Employee Resource Group, serves as a mentor with American Corporate Partners, and regularly delivers informational talks through NC State’s Leadership in the Public Sector program. He was named a Brand Protection Hero by Michigan State University’s A-CAPP Center for his contributions to intellectual property enforcement.

Ryan Minto (PS 2007) serves as Managing Director of North Carolina State Government Affairs for Duke Energy.  Prior to joining Duke, Ryan was Vice President, External Affairs, for UnitedHealth Group. He was responsible for the company’s Federal Government Affairs activities with a focus on Republican Members of Congress and the Administration. He previously led State Government Affairs activities for UnitedHealth Group in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.  Ryan has over a decade of state and federal government experience, having previously served in senior staff positions for former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R-NC), North Carolina Department of Revenue Secretary Lyons Gray, and U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC). He has extensive relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle in the North Carolina General Assembly and across state government. 

Lisa Reid (LPS 2022) has over 28 years of experience in operations and management of Fayetteville’s Emergency 911 Communications. For the past 12 years, Reid  served in the top 911 leadership position for the City of Fayetteville’s Police Department, leading organizational change and managing the agency’s core values. Reid’s military career framed my career path, which began at Fort Hood, Texas, assigned to the Military Intelligence (MI) Unit and through Signal and Communications Units while serving in Garlstedt, Stuttgart, and Augsburg, Germany. 

Lieutenant General John (Jack) N.T. Shanahan (MIS 2022), United States Air Force, retired in 2020 after a 36-year military career. In his final assignment he served as the inaugural Director of the U.S. DoD Joint Artificial Center (JAIC). Jack served in a variety of operational and staff positions in various fields including flying, intelligence, policy, and command and control. He commanded at the squadron, group, wing, Agency, and Numbered Air Force levels. He is Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Jack serves on a variety of AI-related committees, boards, and advisory groups, and as a consultant on the use of AI-enabled technologies for national security.

Andriy Shymonyak (PS 2015) serves as a Senior Program Manager at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Washington, D.C. In his current role, Andriy supports political, civic, and media partners in Eurasia to fight for democratic political processes, demand credible elections, and enhance the integrity of their information space. Previously, Andriy supported 100+ programs in 51+ countries (approximately $100 million in funding) that protected fundamental freedoms, electoral processes, and rights of marginalized populations. Andriy also represented NDI’s 200+ bargaining unit staff as a Union shop steward. Andriy is a 2024 Carnegie-Maxwell Public Policy Lab Fellow at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Andriy is originally from Novoyavorivsk, Ukraine, and an active supporter of Ukrainian and Eastern European causes.

Shannon Beasley Taitt (PS 1992/MPA 1994) is the director of the Office of Program Analysis and Coordination within the Office of the Assistant Secretary at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In this role, she provides programmatic and budgetary guidance in the administration and planning of the Office’s initiatives. She has more than 25 years of experience as a recognized public health expert with special emphasis on workforce development, women, and minority health. Shannon is a Certified Professional and Executive Coach has extensive experience in both addiction treatment and increasing access to care for under-served populations.

Patrick Weninger (PS 1991) is a retired Senior Intelligence Officer from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who has over 28 combined years of National Security experience, which includes eight years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Weninger served in executive-level CIA headquarters assignments overseeing clandestine operations, tradecraft, and technical operations for the Directorate of Operations. He also served worldwide as a Case Officer in the Senior Executive Service with senior field assignments in the Near East, South Asia, and European regions, including multiple Chief of Station and war zone assignments. Since retiring from CIA in the fall of 2020, Mr. Weninger is a founding member of Presage Security Inc. and serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Weninger maintains a Top Secret/SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph and is a Portuguese speaker.

Sherald Cratch (PS 1985) has over 25 years experience in the banking industry, primarily in Trust and Investment Management with Wachovia Bank/Wells Fargo and Capitol Bank. Prior to his banking career, Sherald served on the staff of U.S. Congressman L. Richardson Preyer (NC) and also served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the North Carolina Association of Realtors.  Sherald has also served as a member of the Board of Directors and finance committee for the Greensboro Science Center for over a decade. 

Sarah Crawford (PS 2003) is an American politician and nonprofit executive. She has served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, having represented the 66th district (including constituents in Wake County) since 2023. She previously served in the North Carolina Senate from 2021 to 2023, representing the 18th district (which includes parts of Franklin and Wake counties).

Shirreef Loza (MIS 2003) is a Senior International Trade Specialist with the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, and currently serves as the Director of the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service office in Raleigh.  In this role, he actively works with foreign service officers in U.S. Embassies to promote U.S. businesses, schools and organizations in international markets. Since 2003, Shirreef has held a variety of leadership roles on the Healthcare, Education, and Information Communication Technology teams, and served as Deputy Leader for the Africa/Near East/South Asia regional team.  

Anita Watkins (PS 1994) joined Rex Health Ventures in 2012 and serves as the Director for Strategic Innovations. Anita leads partnership, due diligence and strategic opportunities with potential and existing portfolio companies. Rex Health Ventures is the venture arm for the UNC Health Care system and is based at UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina. RHV works to spur innovation in healthcare through equity investments in and partnerships with healthcare startup companies.