Three more CBC’ers have now earned the title of Goodmon Fellow. FOX 50 Executive Producer HolaNC & Latino Marketing Specialist Ana Maria Bonell, CBC New Media Digital Sales Manager Chris Weatherly and ATC Financial Analyst Matt Honeycutt all graduated from the Leadership Triangle Spring Regional Leadership Program on Monday, May 4, 2015. The evening ceremony took place in the PNC Triangle Club at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The three embarked upon their journey with Leadership Triangle in January.
“I decided to go to the LT Spring Regional Leadership Class because I saw a great opportunity to learn about the region and also an opportunity to meet influential leaders in the area,” said Bonell. “I had heard really good comments from different people and the feedback was extremely positive about the leadership class. Many people mentioned that the class had changed their way of living by teaching them to look beyond what we are normally accustomed.”
Weatherly also said he had heard good things about the course from fellow CBC’ers.
“Since I had just moved into a new management role, I thought it was the perfect time to take the class,” he said.
The course involved bi-weekly, daylong classes from late January to early May. Participants visited different locations in the Triangle, learning about challenges faced by a variety of non-profits, the needs in our region, and how working together can help address these issues.
“The class we held at the Hope Center was incredibly impactful as was the poverty simulation we did with the United Way,” said Weatherly. “Both of these took me far outside my comfort zone and forced me to confront the reality and struggles that so many people in our community are battling daily.”
Bonell also shared what most struck her.
“What impacted me the most was hearing about the different issues that happen every day in our community and that we might not be aware due to several reason like for example our jobs, our daily routine, taking care of our children, etc,” said Bonell. “The class showed me that we must work together in order to make our community a better place to live and to help people that are in need.”
The evening consisted of a buffet and time to mingle, followed by an official graduation ceremony. CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon, Chair Emeritus of Leadership Triangle, helped award the diplomas. Then LT alumni pinned the new graduates. The 24 class members are now Goodmon Fellows and alumni of Leadership Triangle.
The evening concluded with an ever-festive round of Triangle Trivia led by LT alum Ben Hitchings. And ATC Vice President of Real Estate and current LT Board Chair Michael Goodmon provided a few parting words.
“Diversity is directly related to the growth of a company,” said Goodmon, speaking of the initiatives currently underway at American Underground. The space for entrepreneus, startups innovators and investors headquartered at American Tobacco is working to become the most diverse startup incubator by 2016.
“We’re no longer talking about walking the walk,” he said. “The success is here. The Triangle is best place to be.”
Leadership Triangle has been a part of bringing to the Triangle to where it is today and by training more leaders and educating people in our area about social issues we’re facing.
“It completely changed my perspective and gave me a broader idea of what is really happening in our community,” said Bonell. “Also, I met people from different industries and was a very good opportunity to learn from them and see different view and opinions.”