In a move to strengthen philanthropic leadership, Chancellor Karrie Dixon has appointed five new members to the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, all committed to advancing student opportunities.
The NCCU Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, secures and manages private gifts that fuel student scholarships, strengthens academic programs and drives the university’s mission forward.
The newest appointees - Carla Willis, Clastrola Williams, Jerraé Williams, Josh Parker and Paul Andrew Norman, Ed.D. - add expertise spanning higher education, finance, corporate strategy, real estate, philanthropy and public service.
“Each of these leaders understands that our best investment is in our students,” said Chancellor Dixon. “Their roles on the Foundation Board advance the core goals of Soaring to New Heights: Vision 2030, from greater scholarship support to high-impact learning experiences. They are helping us shape pathways that allow every Eagle to thrive.”
Meet the New Board Members
Carla Willis
Co-Managing Principal, Washburn McGoldrick
Willis is a nationally respected advancement strategist with 25 years of experience across major gifts, planned giving and comprehensive campaign leadership. Her campus roles include senior advancement positions at The University of North Carolina Asheville, Kean University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
She has supported campaigns ranging from $40 million to more than $7 billion and has advised Duke University, Grinnell College and the University of North Carolina System. Willis serves on the CASE Industry Advisory Council and the Giving USA Foundation Board. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and The Links Inc.
Clastrola Williams
Senior Vice President, First Citizens Bank
Williams oversees a national portfolio of retail branches and income-producing facilities in 25 states, directing facilities strategy, vendor compliance and lifecycle investment. She brings more than 20 years of expertise in corporate real estate and facilities management.
A first-generation college graduate, she holds an electrical engineering degree from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from Meredith College. Williams previously served on the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Board of Visitors and diversity committee at Raleigh Charter High School.
Jerraé Williams
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Project Kitty Hawk
Williams has nearly three decades of financial leadership across banking, treasury management, global finance, government and higher education. She is also the founder of The Rae Michelle Group, advising organizations such as UPS Global and the North Carolina Treasurer’s Office.
She has served as municipal treasurer in Atlanta, Raleigh and Austin, managing billions in public assets. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Business Administration from Capella University.
Josh Parker ‘08
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Ancora
Parker is a national leader in innovation investment and anchor institution development.
Over the past two decades, he has led more than five million square feet of real estate development valued at over $4.5 billion, including major projects in Downtown Durham and the Cortex Innovation Community in St. Louis.
His civic service includes roles with the Council on Competitiveness, the Real Estate Round Table and the Urban Land Institute. Parker is an NCCU alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Paul Andrew Norman, Ed.D. ‘90
President, Beyond Blessed Coaching and Empowerment Services
Norman brings more than 40 years of experience in higher education and human services, including leadership roles at Wake Technical Community College and Saint Augustine’s University.
An alumnus of ECSU, he earned a master’s degree in counseling from NCCU and an Ed.D. from North Carolina State University. His statewide service includes the North Carolina Human Relations Commission, and he is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Building on Current Board Leadership
The newly appointed members will join the Foundation’s existing board of directors whose oversight ensures continuity, stewardship and strategic support for NCCU’s philanthropic mission.
Current board of directors include:
- Frankie Perry, president; retired senior vice president, wealth management, Wells Fargo Bank NA
- Ernest Jenkins Jr. ‘74, ‘80, vice president and executive director; retired corporate vice president
- Omar Banks, Ed.D. ‘01, director; deputy athletic director and chief financial officer, West Virginia University
- Cornell Slade ‘75, director; partner, 5B Venture Capital, and retired executive and food processing company owner
- James Williams Jr. ‘76,’79, treasurer; owner, The Law Offices of James D. Williams Jr.
- Paula Hubbard, human resources chair; senior vice president of human resources, McLane Company Inc.
- D. Carr Thompson ‘90, resource committee chair; owner, commercial real estate
- James Speed ‘75, finance committee chair; independent director, mutual funds and public companies
- Garland Avent ‘79, audit chair; retired financial officer
- Antoinette Burwell ‘99, governance committee chair; attorney and secretary, Durham Bar Association
- Geoffrey Hudson, investment chair; senior vice president of wealth management, financial advisor, executive financial services director and portfolio manager
- Charles Travis III, real estate committee; architect, Housing Studios
- Dr. Harry Stafford, governance committee; Duke Primary Care physician and sports medicine specialist
- Christopher Boozer ‘78, resource committee; retired government housing professional
- Dr. Kamaria Brown, governance committee; medical director, Pfizer
- Calvin Crosslin, resource committee; vice president of human resources, chief inclusion officer and president of Lenovo Foundation
- Herbert Rivera-Sanchez, governance committee; principal engineer, Marvell Semiconductor
Chancellor Dixon; Susan Hester, institutional advancement vice chancellor; Farad Ali, NCCU Board of Trustees member; and Nikki Davis Green ‘98, president of the NCCU Alumni Association Inc., also serve on the board in ex-officio capacities.
For photos of the newest members of the NCCU Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, view here.
For more information about the NCCU Foundation Inc., or to make a contribution, visit nccu.edu/foundation.