Celebrating Women

When you meet Allison Gant, you quickly realize that leadership is not just a role she plays—it’s a calling she lives out every day. With a career spanning education, nonprofit leadership, the arts, and civic engagement, Allison has spent decades shaping the future of Alamance County through her unwavering commitment to service, mentorship, and community growth.

Mentoring: Empowering the Next Generation

Allison’s passion for mentorship shines through her 15+ years with the Alamance Youth Leadership Academy (AYLA), where she now serves as Chair. She helps guide and inspire local 7th and 8th-graders through leadership development and civic engagement. Her influence extends beyond formal programs—she is a trusted mentor to many, offering guidance, encouragement, and a model of integrity.

It is clear that Allison continues to search for opportunities to learn and develop as a leader. She is an example to people that engage with her and a mentor to so many.

Community Development: Building a Stronger Alamance

From 2014 to 2022, Allison served on the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, including five years as Chair. She led the district through a transformative redistricting process and championed a $150 million bond referendum that funded a new high school and critical infrastructure improvements. Her leadership was marked by thoughtful collaboration and a steadfast focus on students.

Allison welcomed input from every voice, even from those who strongly disagreed with her. She treated people with respect and fairness, guiding the process with persistence and balance.

Beyond education, Allison has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees, always seeking ways to strengthen the community she has called home for over 30 years.

Philanthropy: Giving Back with Purpose

Allison’s philanthropic spirit is evident in her extensive volunteer work. She has chaired the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, led fundraising for the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, and supported the Alamance County Arts Council, United Way, and Alamance-Caswell Hospice League.

She also continues to support the arts through her role as Company Manager for KARIZMA, a nonprofit performing group at the Burlington Academy of Dance and Arts, where she taught for 31 years. Her love for dance began early—she opened her own studio at just 13 years old in Suffolk, Virginia.

Business & Advocacy: Driving Innovation and Inclusion

As Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Institute for Community Service Leaders, Allison is leading the organization into a new era of growth and sustainability. She also serves as Vice Chair of Investor Engagement for the Alamance Chamber, helping shape the future of local economic development. Her leadership of the ROAR Women’s Symposium, which now draws over 500 attendees, reflects her commitment to professional development and community connection.

Allison was also an early and passionate advocate for women in Alamance County. She served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Resource Center, chaired key committees, and led as Board President, championing fundraising efforts and always keeping the needs of the center—and the women it serves—at the forefront.

Allison Gant’s legacy is one of service, strength, and steadfast dedication to others. She leads not for recognition, but from a deep belief in the power of community and the potential of every individual. She is also a proud wife to Eddie Gant, Jr., mother to Olivia and Edmund, and grandmother to baby Thomas—roles she cherishes most of all.

For these reasons and many more, Allison truly exemplifies what it means to Lead the Way.

Lauren Kapler, Senior Director of Enterprise Acquisition Integration at Lapcorp, is a shining example of servant leadership in Alamance County. Lauren is a valued employee, with more than 25 years at Labcorp, where she has built a career defined by excellence, dedication to her team, and an enthusiasm for helping others.

At Labcorp, Lauren’s drive to grow has been evident in her leadership across various roles. From earning her MBA to now pursuing a PhD, she exemplifies lifelong learning and professional ambition. But Lauren’s leadership extends well beyond her impressive résumé. As co-lead of Labcorp’s Women’s Empowerment Network (WEN), she helps create a safe space in the workplace for women to grow, connect, and lead, which fosters both professional development and personal support.

Outside of work, Lauren is deeply committed to community involvement and service. Lauren has been involved for many years with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and sets the example of service for her teammates on builds. Lauren’s biggest community commitment, however, is to YoungLives, a ministry that supports adolescent mothers through education and support. Her journey with the organization began when her son was in middle school and got involved with YoungLife, which quickly became an important part of their entire family. When asked to lead a group of middle schoolers on a weeklong summer camp trip to Florida, Lauren stepped up. Leading youth in this capacity was unfamiliar territory for her, but by taking a step out of her comfort zone to exercise her leadership skills in a different way, the door to her deeper involvement with this local ministry opened.

Now in her fifth year on the YoungLives Planning Committee, Lauren serves teen moms and their babies regularly by organizing events, preparing meals, providing childcare, and ensuring every young woman feels seen and supported. It’s a mission close to Lauren’s heart, and one that speaks to her broader vision: building a community where everyone, especially women, is empowered to thrive.

Whether she’s mentoring colleagues, supporting young moms, or swinging a hammer on a build site, Lauren leads with grace and generosity. Her story reminds us that when we lead with compassion, we create lasting change.

When you meet Staci Stepp, you quickly realize she is not just building rooms, she is building hope. As the founder and Executive Director of Home Sweet Hope, Staci has turned her creative talents and compassionate heart into a powerful force for good in Alamance County and beyond.

Born and raised in Iowa, Staci’s early life was marked by adversity, but those experiences planted the seeds of empathy and advocacy that now define her work. Her nonprofit, Home Sweet Hope, creates custom room makeovers for youth in foster care or recently adopted. Spaces filled with items they love, designed to restore dignity and a sense of belonging. These rooms are not just beautiful, they are healing.

Since founding the organization in 2019, Staci has led the transformation of over 55 rooms, each one a reflection of her belief that every child deserves a safe, affirming place to call home. Her latest project, the renovation of The Wake House Family Visitation Center in Wake County, is a shining example of community collaboration. Churches, organizations, and individuals have come together under her leadership to create a warm, welcoming environment for families navigating the foster care system.

Staci’s courage is evident not only in her entrepreneurial journey but also in her personal life. As a mother to two teenage daughters, a licensed foster parent since 2018, and a gestational surrogate, she embodies strength, resilience, and unwavering love. She often says, “Anything worth anything is not easy,” and her life is a testament to that truth.

Her impact extends beyond her nonprofit. Staci is an active member of the Mebane Women’s Club and was recognized by Fox 8 News as one of North Carolina’s “Remarkable Women.” Her dedication to service inspires others to get involved, care deeply, and believe in the power of community.

Staci’s favorite quote, “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up” by Babe Ruth, perfectly captures her spirit. Whether she is designing a room, mentoring others, or advocating for children, Staci leads with heart, creativity, and an unshakable belief in the worth of every individual.

It’s no surprise that she’s been nominated for the Founder’s Award. Staci Stepp is not only leading the way, she is lighting the path for others to follow.

Alamance County native Jennifer Wilson notes that she would tell her younger self to “don’t be afraid to take up space and to use your voice”. She believes that every challenge will prepare you to lead with compassion and resilience; her life embodies these principles, too.

A former United States Army Medical Department member, Jennifer earned the prestigious Expert Field Medical Badge, a reflection of precision, grit, and excellence. Today, those same traits define her approach to mentorship, civic engagement, and advocacy.

Through her 25 years at Labcorp, Jennifer has held many positions, starting out as a Patient Services Technician Specialist. Here she did everything from procuring blood samples from patients to performing Occupational drug testing and paternity testing. While moving up, she served as an intermediary between Labcorp and Hospital Services clients, which included conducting on-site visits to hospitals. As the Administrative Phlebotomy Team Lead, she developed and implemented tools and processes to improve efficiency and minimize errors.

As a Key Account Executive at Labcorp, Jennifer supports healthcare providers across the Triad regions. She partners closely with medical practices in Alamance County to improve diagnostic workflows and to expand patient access to care. She is known for her strategic acumen and community-first mindset. Her greatest legacy to date within the organization is the launch of PACES (Parents and Caregivers Employee Support) group, which she founded to create a space that uplifts and supports working families. This Labcorp Employee Resource Group is now active across twelve counties.

Jennifer’s service extends far beyond her workplace. Since 2016, she has served as a Guardian ad Litem, standing up for children in vulnerable situations and advocating for them in the court systems. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, The Bridge Community Outreach, and the Alzheimer’s Association, where she lead the 2024 Burlington Walk in memory of her mother.

Jennifer and her husband have raised all five of their children in Alamance County while nurturing values of compassion and civic engagement. They have also welcomed international exchange students into their home. Her sense of community extends to her faith, where she actively participates in Trailhead Church in Graham. Here she guides worship and serves on the Medical Response Team. Jennifer reports that her most courageous step recently was to apply and be accepted in the BS program in Health Studies with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership at the University of Memphis, a step that reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth.

Kristen Sutherland does not just see problems; she sees patterns, systems, and possibilities. As the Housing Program Manager at United Way of Alamance County, Kristen brings a unique blend of academic insight, lived experience, and deep compassion to one of the most complex challenges facing our community: housing insecurity.

With a background in anthropology and women’s and gender studies, Kristen approaches housing not just as a logistical issue, but as a deeply human one. She understands that housing intersects with education, health, employment, and justice. She is committed to addressing those intersections with both strategy and empathy. “The belief that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world,” by Paul Farmer, is one of the guiding quotes that shapes her work.

Kristen’s journey into housing advocacy began while working at Alamance Community College, where she supported students facing financial and housing crises. Her role as Single Stop Coordinator gave her firsthand insight into the barriers people face and the power of timely, compassionate support. That experience laid the foundation for her transition to United Way, where she now leads collaborative efforts to improve housing stability across the county.

Since stepping into her new role in March 2025, Kristen has helped strengthen housing workgroups, build bridges across agencies, and respond to urgent community needs, including helping coordinate emergency housing assistance during recent local flooding. Her leadership is marked by courage and humility. “I don’t have the answer,” she says, “but I’m willing to keep showing up and moving the needle even a tiny bit further because it matters.”

Her colleagues describe her as fearless, action-oriented, and deeply collaborative. She’s known for making space at the table for voices that are often overlooked and for mentoring women navigating leadership, life balance, and personal growth. Whether she’s coordinating fundraisers, mentoring students, or helping someone facing eviction, Kristen leads with integrity and heart.

Margaret Mead’s renowned quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” serves not merely as a guiding principle but as a reflection of Kristen’s professional ethos. It encapsulates her commitment to empowering individuals, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering meaningful change through collective action.

In Alamance County, few leaders embody the spirit of service, authenticity, and impact quite like Sarah Hardin. As Associate Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at Alamance Community College (ACC), Sarah leads with clarity, empathy, and a deep commitment to both institutional excellence and community connection.

Transforming Communication Through Leadership

Sarah’s role at ACC is multifaceted—she oversees strategic communications, marketing, events, and public safety. Under her leadership, the college has undergone a transformative rebrand, launched a new website, and implemented major safety enhancements. Her work has contributed to meaningful enrollment growth, strengthening both the college and the community it serves.

Her career also includes impactful service in law enforcement and the justice system, where she built trust through transparency and effective crisis communication. Across every role, Sarah is known for leading with resilience and heart—advancing strategies that leave a lasting mark.

Mentorship and Community Engagement

Sarah’s leadership extends far beyond her professional title. She serves as a head varsity basketball coach at Clover Garden School, mentoring young women to embrace confidence, lead with strength, and believe in their potential. A former Division I athlete herself, Sarah understands the power of teamwork and the importance of showing up for others.

She’s also deeply involved in community initiatives through the Alamance Chamber, supporting programs like the Alamance Youth Leadership Academy and the R.O.A.R. Conference, which focuses on women’s empowerment and connection. Her ability to build and sustain partnerships is one of her greatest strengths—and a key reason she’s being recognized as a nominee for the Rising Star Award.

Rooted in Faith, Family, and Purpose

Sarah’s life is grounded in faith and family. She’s a devoted wife and mother, passionate about creating a legacy of courage, service, and inspiration for her children and her community. Whether she’s volunteering at Trailhead Church, coaching on the court, or leading strategic initiatives at ACC, Sarah brings authenticity and purpose to everything she does.

Sarah Hardin is more than a rising star—she’s a guiding light for those around her. Her leadership reminds us that real impact comes from showing up with courage, serving with heart, and always striving to make a difference.