OUR TEAM
Blair Dwyer
Director of Youth Program
Danielle Heindl
Program Manager
Emily Mitchell
Director of Development
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As Development Director at StepUp Wilmington, Emily Mitchell oversees fundraising, donor stewardship, and community partnerships in support of the organization’s workforce development and job readiness programs. In her role, Emily works to build sustainable revenue streams and strengthen relationships with individuals, businesses, and community partners who believe in expanding access to opportunity throughout the Cape Fear region.
She brings a relationship-driven, strategic approach to her work and is passionate about connecting people to purpose-driven causes that make a tangible difference. Outside of work, Emily enjoys being involved in local civic leadership, spending time in nature (whether hiking, kayaking, or birdwatching from a hammock) and soaking up time with her family.
Eric Gillentine
Fractional CFO
Capone & Associates
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"Eric brings extensive accounting experience from the hospitality and financial services industries. After earning his degree in accounting, he began his career in hospitality and then spent more than five years working directly with the CFO of a Boston investment advisory firm.
His expertise includes bookkeeping, month-end close, KPI reporting, forecasting, compliance, operations, and sales. Eric is known for improving internal processes and building strong, collaborative relationships with clients. At Capone & Associates, he focuses on creating clarity and operational consistency for the businesses he supports.
Outside of work, Eric enjoys time outdoors with his wife, Paige, and their children. Family time is always at the center, whether traveling, enjoying the beach, or sharing meals together."
Samantha Osario
Development Associate
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Samantha’s bio is coming soon
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Blair serves as the Director of Youth Programs at StepUp Wilmington, where she leads, creates, and supports programs focused on career readiness, confidence building, and workforce development for high school students and recent grads. Her work includes coordinating partnerships, facilitating youth trainings, and fostering opportunities that support teens exploring careers, prepare for employment, and/or pursue postsecondary education or training.
Blair’s role is deeply connected to StepUp Wilmington’s mission of helping individuals build skills, stability, and pathways to success, particularly from an early age. She is passionate about supporting first-generation college bound students and young people who may be navigating life with limited guidance - helping them feel seen, capable, and supported as they work to reach their personalized goals.
Blair has a masters degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), brings over 10 years of experience in education and youth development, making her a strong advocate for collaboration across schools, nonprofits, and local employers. She is active in the Wilmington community serving on boards, attending leadership programs, volunteering on time off, and earning new professional development certifications to better her skills and impact. She is driven by a belief that when young people are given the right support and opportunities, they can thrive.
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With experience spanning over career services, human resources, and the nonprofit sector, I am a dedicated people development professional passionate about helping individuals and teams grow with purpose. I hold a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and the SHRM-CP certification, which allow me to bring both strategic insight and hands-on experience to every initiative I lead.
I’ve worked in career centers guiding job seekers toward meaningful employment, in HR roles designing talent development strategies, and within nonprofits focused on workforce readiness and empowerment, leading a team in supporting individuals in finding meaningful work. Across each setting, my focus has remained consistent: fostering professional growth, building inclusive environments, and equipping others with the tools to thrive professionally.
Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of personal and professional development, I focus on coaching, training, and organizational support that builds both individual confidence and team effectiveness. Whether facilitating workshops, launching employee development programs, or supporting career transitions, I bring a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every challenge.
TJ Dohner
Director of Grants & Analytics
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TJ Dohner joined the organization in July 2022. Driven by strategic thinking and an analytical approach, TJ leads grant strategy and works across teams to support strong programs and long-term organizational health. After spending two years on the program's side, he brings a deep understanding of StepUp Wilmington’s services and how they support individuals and families in the Wilmington community. With more than 15 years of experience in workforce development across nonprofit and private sectors, including behavioral health and recruiting, TJ combines data-informed insight with practical program knowledge to advance the organization’s mission.
Rick Quintana
Talent Manager
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Enrique Clinton-Quintana is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Arts from Pembroke State University. He has held various leadership roles, including serving as the Keeper of Record and Seal, Basileus, and Vice Basileus in his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. Enrique is known for his analytical, organized, and detail-oriented approach to his work, making him a valuable asset in roles involving bankruptcy, portfolio management and collections. He has worked with reputable organizations like Wells Fargo and Regional Finance, where he contributed as a Senior Research and Remediation Analyst and Assistant Manager. Outside of his professional life, Enrique is a dedicated family man. He enjoys spending quality time with his lovely wife, four children, three grandchildren, and their beloved dog, Maya. His commitment to the community is evident through his volunteer work with the OOPS Foundation, where he helps pack and deliver healthy food boxes to those in need.
Rashawn Sidbury
Talent Manager
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Rashawn Sidbury currently a Talent Manager at StepUp Wilmington. Over 6.5 years of reentry transitioning individuals coming home from incarceration back in to society successfully. Journey with SUW started with completion of Jobs Week, and graduating in the beginning of July. His transition has started coming to a head. Continuing to support individuals during their journey to success.
Teresa Wolf
Chief Executive Officer
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More about Teresa coming soon!
Jordan Reuck-Harter
Volunteer and Employer Relations Manager
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Jordan brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to StepUp Wilmington, combining a passion for systems and efficiency with a creative spirit. She excels at building thoughtful processes that support people, strengthen organizations, and foster community growth.
Jordan believes that lasting relationships require time, heart, and effort, and she is excited to bring those values to her work with StepUp Wilmington’s volunteers, employer partners, and broader community. In her role, she focuses on building meaningful connections that create opportunities for participants while deepening engagement with the organization's mission.
Outside of the office, Jordan enjoys channeling her creativity into new projects and spending time with her family, including her dog, Bowie.
OUR BOARD
Board of Directors
Henry Cherry, Chair, First Citizens Bank
Sandy Spiers, Vice Chair, First National Bank
Chris Cox, Treasurer, Apiture
Zach Cockerham, Secretary, Novant Health
Riley Stephenson, Immediate Past Chair, Rockefeller Wealth Management
Bhavik Raval, Ex Officio, BYP President
Kate Brant
Matthew Adams
Desmond Herbert, Synchrony Bank
Liz Kase, Self Employed
Alice Hogarth, Vantaca
Board of Young Professionals
President - Bhavik Raval
VP - Kerry Doute
Secretary - Gabriella Cicco
Marketing Chair - Hannah Williams
JOIN OUR TEAM!
JOIN OUR TEAM!
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS AT STEPUP WILMINGTON
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