Celebrating Women

For nearly two decades, Heather LaGarde has been at the heart of revitalization in Saxaphaw.  With career roots in event design, strategic planning, and global leadership, she is now the founder and owner of the award-winning Haw River Ballroom, co-owner of Cup 22 Coffeehouse, and producer of Saturdays in Saxaphaw, a long-running music and farmers’ market series. Under her leadership, she has found creative ways to champion the preservation of historic spaces, support local artisans, create jobs for this rural area of Alamance County, and has been an integral part in making Saxaphaw a tourist destination, bringing in visitors from across the region. Through these efforts, she has successfully worked to transform the village into a vibrant cultural hub.

Heather also serves on numerous community boards, such as the Culture Mill, Paperhand Puppet Intervention, and the Saxaphaw Rivermill Community Association.  Through these roles, she has forged important partnerships that connect arts, businesses, environmental stewardship, and community life. She is also a long-standing partner of the Hawbridge School, demonstrating a deep commitment to education, youth empowerment, and community collaboration through her generosity and leadership. High school graduations, proms and other milestone school events are hosted at the Haw River Ballroom, providing unforgettable experiences for students and families. 

This past July, when Tropical Depression Chantal stalled out over Alamance County, it left the community of Saxaphaw with historic levels of flooding and tremendous amount of devastation, especially for local business owners.  Heather jumped in immediately, using her connections and masterful facilitation skills.  She hosted a meeting for the entire community in less than 24 hours after the storm and opened the Haw River Ballroom as a hub for donations and volunteer coordination. Under her leadership, teams worked to clean and salvage iconic Saxaphaw businesses and landmarks, such as Paperhand Puppet’s studio and Saxaphaw Island Park. She worked tirelessly to convert a disaster into a moment of resilience and community, which will serve the community well moving forward. Heather’s work has not only strengthened the cultural and economic fabric of Alamance County, but has inspired many others to lead, create, and give back.  We are so thankful to have her as a change agent in our community, and we are thrilled to honor her this year as a recipient of the Founder’s Award!

Yholima Vargas-Pedroza, known as Yholy, embodies a remarkable balance of professional excellence, community leadership, and a deep commitment to enriching the lives of others. She is not only a dedicated coordinator for Alamance Community College’s ESL program but also a dynamic community advocate, cultural ambassador, and inspiring leader within the Alamance County community. Her unwavering dedication to the arts, education, and social well-being of community members truly makes her a distinguished honoree at this year’s Leading the Way ceremony.

Since joining Alamance Community College in February 2023, Yholima has been a cornerstone of the ESL program, helping immigrants and non-native speakers acquire English skills and navigate the pathway toward citizenship. Under her guidance, the program has grown, expanding opportunities for adult learners to gain both language proficiency and career training in areas such as HVAC, BioWorks, esthetics, and cosmetology. Her focus is not merely on teaching English, but on creating comprehensive avenues for personal and professional advancement for underserved populations. Before her current role, Yholima spent ten years as a Care Manager at Duke Health, working tirelessly to provide holistic care to patients, and supporting their complex needs. This experience laid the foundation for her keen sense of compassion, commitment, and drive to help others succeed in all aspects of life.

Originally from Columbia, Yholima’s influence is deeply felt throughout the communities she has served in both Durham and Alamance counties. As an immigrant herself, she has always been passionate about fostering cultural and social integration, particularly within the Hispanic/Latino community. She has played a pivotal role in initiatives targeting gang and domestic violence prevention, mentoring at-risk youth, and has been a part of the first community policing accountability board in Burlington. Her commitment to cultural preservation and celebration is especially evident in her founding of the Huepa Culture & Arts Institute in 2015. This dance academy not only celebrates Latin American heritage but also provides a vital platform for young people to engage with their culture and express themselves creatively. The institute has served not only as a platform for Yholima to mentor the young dancers of the company as well as Elon University students involved in service leadership. Yholima has always been an advocate for equitable access to the arts, believing that they are essential to building healthy, authentic communities. Through her work with the DALI Fellowship and other artistic initiatives, she has championed increased opportunities for children and teens from minority groups to participate in the arts.

Yholima is a respected and trusted leader who frequently collaborates with local organizations and advisory boards. She currently serves on several key initiatives and advisory boards, including the Community Police Advisory Team (CPAT), the advisory board for the Harwood Institute,  the For Alamance Initiative, and is a 2024 LatinxED fellowship. Furthermore, she co-chairs the Esperanza Festival, an annual community event that brings together people from all backgrounds to celebrate Latin culture. In 2023, Yholima was a finalist for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, further showcasing her tireless dedication to service. She has also been featured in various media, including a recent segment on PBS Newshour, where she represented Alamance County in discussions about community engagement and social progress.

Yholima Vargas-Pedroza’s remarkable contributions to the community, her passion for cultural advocacy, and her tireless commitment to empowering others through education and the arts make her a deserving recipient of the Founder’s Award at the 11^th Annual Leading the Way. Her leadership is felt across multiple dimensions—from the classroom to the stage to the advisory boards on which she serves. She is a shining example of what it means to lead with compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of society.

Sara Beth Hardy, the Assistant Director for Community Partnerships at Elon University’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life, is making a significant impact in both the academic and local community through her dedication to fostering relationships and driving positive change. Since stepping into her role in 2022, Sara Beth has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to enhancing community engagement, advancing civic learning, and nurturing the next generation of community leaders.

In her current role, Sara Beth excels in forging and nurturing collaborative relationships between faculty and community partners, creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, real-world experiences through Elon’s community-based learning initiatives. These initiatives aim to deepen students’ understanding of civic responsibility while simultaneously benefiting the local community through projects that address real-world challenges.

Her work in advancing these collaborations has been widely recognized across campus. In 2024, Sara Beth was honored with the Division of Student Life’s Academic Partnership Award. This accolade reflects her success in building strong ties between Elon’s academic programs and local nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses. Thanks to her leadership, the number of community-based learning courses offered at Elon has grown substantially, providing more students with the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to help meet community needs.

Beyond her professional work, Sara Beth is deeply involved in various local initiatives. She serves on the Bridging Team for the “For Alamance” Initiative, a collaborative effort to address key issues facing Alamance County. She also serves on the ABSS Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. Her active involvement in these initiatives, along with her role at Elon, speaks to her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those around her. Sara Beth’s ability to balance her professional responsibilities with her commitment to local progress is a testament to her leadership and passion for service.

One of Sara Beth’s defining qualities is her dedication to mentoring others. Whether it’s through formal programs like Elon’s Campus Alamance Program, which places over 30 interns with local nonprofits, or her informal mentorship of young professionals, Sara Beth continually invests in the development of future leaders. Her mentees often speak of the personal and professional guidance she provides, noting that her encouragement has been instrumental in shaping their careers and commitment to service.

Sara Beth’s connection to Alamance County runs deep. Born and raised in the area, she has always been passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Appalachian State University and her Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia, she returned home to make a difference.

Sara Beth Hardy is a remarkable leader whose work in civic engagement, community development, and mentorship has had a profound impact on both Elon University and the wider Alamance County community. Her achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration, advancing civic learning, and building stronger, more connected communities. Through her work, Sara Beth exemplifies what it means to be a Rising Star.

LaShauna Austria is a transformative leader whose work bridges social justice, racial equity, and food systems. As the owner and principal operator of Seeds of Change Consulting and Kindred Seedlings Farm, LaShauna has dedicated her career to addressing issues of race, land ownership, and food justice, particularly in rural communities. Her deep-rooted passion for rural life and Southern foodways is evident through her farm work, where she cultivates vegetables and herbs, produces homegrown products, and nurtures spaces that connect people to the land.

Born and raised in Alamance County, North Carolina, LaShauna has a long history of community engagement. Her journey in social justice began through various leadership roles in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She has worked to empower marginalized voices, particularly Black and Brown communities, by fostering strong relationships and building local collaborations. Through Seeds of Change Consulting, she offers racial equity consulting, organizational development, and conflict resolution, helping individuals and organizations embed equity into their missions.

LaShauna’s faith is a cornerstone of her work. As the Minister of Becoming and Belonging at Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville, she leads discussions on anti-racism, community engagement, and reparations. Her leadership in Barn Church, a multiracial fellowship space born from her collaboration with the Culture Mill Lab, reflects her commitment to creating inclusive spaces for creative expression and healing.

In addition to her work in ministry and consulting, LaShauna is a co-founder of Alamance Agents for Change, a coalition dedicated to police reform and civil rights activism. She has also led efforts to address racial equity in food systems through organizations like Community Food Strategies, where she advocates for the growth of farmers of color and equitable policy change.

LaShauna’s work is defined by her relentless pursuit of justice and equity, whether through her advocacy, ministry, or farming. Her impact extends across Alamance County and beyond, making her a powerful voice for transformative change. Through her tireless efforts, LaShauna Austria continues to cultivate a future where equity and justice are not just ideals but realities in our communities.

In the tapestry of our community, some individuals stand out as bright threads that weave people together, creating a stronger and more vibrant whole. Emilia is one such person, whose five-year journey at the Dream Center has left an indelible mark on countless lives.

A Natural Leader with a Servant’s Heart

What began as a volunteer role during the COVID-19 vaccination efforts has blossomed into a remarkable story of leadership and community impact. Now serving as the Program Director at the Dream Center, Emilia brings her warm, energetic presence and compassionate spirit to every initiative she touches. From managing diaper distribution to spearheading health initiatives and family programs, her work touches lives across multiple dimensions of community need.

The Joy of Community Impact

For Emilia, the rewards of her work are deeply personal. “I find great joy in initiating new activities for individuals, as I have witnessed how these programs bring people together and facilitate learning. Witnessing the smiles on people’s faces during these programs and various events reinforces my appreciation for the meaningful work I do every day.”

Bridging Cultures, Building Community

As someone who moved from Colombia to make her home here, Emilia brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work. Her role as a parent liaison between families and schools ensures clear communication and sets the foundation for success. Through her involvement with Huepa Dance and Arts, she helps celebrate Latin American culture, allowing community members to embrace and share their heritage.

Leadership That Lifts Others

Emilia’s completion of The Leadership Institute marked not just a personal achievement, but a stepping stone to even greater community impact. Her colleagues note her exceptional ability to bring out the best in others, a skill that makes her an invaluable mentor and team leader. Whether at the Dream Center, her church, or the Women’s Resource Center, Emilia’s commitment to service knows no bounds.

Looking to the Future

As Emilia continues to develop new programs and expand existing ones at the Dream Center, her impact only grows. Her story reminds us that true leadership isn’t just about directing others—it’s about serving them, lifting them up, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

In a world that often seems divided, Emilia stands as a beacon of unity, reminding us that when we lead with love and serve with compassion, we create ripples that transform entire communities. Her story isn’t just about personal success; it’s about the profound impact one person can have when they dedicate themselves to the service of others.

Leadership That Lifts Others

A Philosophy of Kindness

At the heart of Emilia’s approach to life and work lies a profound philosophy that guides her actions. “My fundamental belief in life is that when you engage in positive actions and show kindness, the universe responds with kindness which awards you with the goodness you deserve,” she shares with conviction. This isn’t just a passive belief for Emilia, but an active principle that drives her daily efforts. “I am dedicated in my actions because, through hard work and a strong effort, you can work towards fulfilling your personal aspirations, which will ultimately lead you to the rewards of success.”

This mantra isn’t just words for Emilia—it’s evident in her tireless dedication to community service, her warm approach to everyone she meets, and her consistent efforts to create positive change. Her belief in the reciprocal nature of kindness has created a ripple effect throughout the Dream Center and beyond, inspiring others to embrace this philosophy of positive action and dedicated service.

We are proud to celebrate Breana Southerland as one of our Rising Star recipients. Breana’s deep love for God and passion for serving her community is evident in every aspect of her life. At just 31 years old, she is already making an incredible impact as the HR / Office Coordinator for the Salvation Army of Alamance County, a role that extends far beyond her official title.

Breana’s work with the Salvation Army has touched countless lives, particularly through her involvement with the food pantry and emergency assistance intakes. Each day, she assists individuals and families in need, ensuring they receive the support necessary to move forward. Breana’s efforts aren’t just about providing immediate help; her commitment is to create lasting change and foster hope within the community.

Her co-workers describe her as a natural mentor—someone who is always willing to lend a listening ear and offer guidance. Her compassion shines through as she works with clients who are struggling with hardships, whether it be financial difficulties, hunger, or other challenges. Breana’s genuine love for helping others has cemented her as a key figure at the Salvation Army, where she has made a lasting impression on those around her.

riginally from Virginia, Breana now calls North Carolina home. She is a proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in gerontology. Her passion for helping others led her to further her education, earning a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in healthcare. With her SHRM-CP certification, Breana’s background and expertise have made her an invaluable asset, both in the nonprofit sector and in her community work.

Before joining the Salvation Army, Breana spent over a decade working in senior care, where she honed her skills in compassion and leadership. Today, she continues to leverage her experience in care and service to uplift those in need.

Outside of work, Breana enjoys poetry, yoga, and swimming, but most of her free time is spent with her beautiful daughter, Ammia. Breana’s commitment to service extends to her family life as well, as she often brings Ammia to volunteer at the Salvation Army, teaching her the importance of giving back. Together, they participate in community events, continuing Breana’s legacy of service and love.

One of Breana’s favorite quotes, “Be the change that you want to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi, is one she truly embodies. Every day, Breana Southerland is being the change in her community, working tirelessly to make the world a better place for those in need. She is a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose, and we are honored to recognize her as one of our Rising Stars.