VOLUNTEERS & LEADERSHIP
Rostock Ambassador
Bill Borden
Bill is a retiree from both the NC Attorney General’s Office and Marine Corps Reserve. He loves traveling the nation and world, and keeps abreast of the local scene on foot, by bicycle, and by taking any excuse to drive around town.
Compíegne Ambassador
Cara Nina Gentile
Cara went to Compiegne as an exchange student many moons ago, an experience that fostered a love of travel and cross-cultural connection. These days she travels with her husband Tim, daughter Giavanna, and son Laszlo.
Director of Community Relations
Charles Helms
Charles is a North Carolina native, UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and current customer solutions/problem solver at Pendo. He helps RSC by being an advocate for global communities and membership to support our global programs.
Director of Affiliations
Clare Makumi
A healthcare professional and currently a Global Medical Affairs Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline, Clare is originally from Nairobi. She helps to guide our new agreements through formation across the world.
Clare@RaleighSisterCities.org
Board President + City Council Appointee
Cody Charland
Cody is a Raleigh native and a second-year MBA student at NC State University. He is hopeful that Sister Cities continues to transform Raleigh into an international partner and an inclusive destination for many across the world.
Board Member
David Kilbride
David is Assistant Principal Second Violin of the NC Symphony and is on the faculty of Raleigh Charter High School. He is a Raleigh City Council appointee and received a certificate in non-profit management from Duke University in 2019.
Nairobi Ambassador
Isaac Kuria
Isaac is the President and Founder of Myles of Great Hopes and leads the organization's work in several states and different countries. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, and organizing international events.
Board Member
Jessica Holt
Jessica is the Public Relations and International Tourism Director for Visit Raleigh. She looks forward to continuing to promote Raleigh as an international gateway and an innovative destination for businesses and leisure travelers from around the globe.
Hull Ambasssador
Katey Ahmann
Katey worked in the professional museum field for over 20 years and recently retired from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences as the Head of Featured Experiences. She manages our partnership with Hull, England.
Student Ambassador
Kiran Soma
Kiran is a second-year student double majoring in chemistry and communication media at NC State. He sees Raleigh as an incredibly welcoming city with a unique culture, and is excited to have the opportunity to share that culture with individuals around the world.
Treasurer
Kevin Lord
Kevin retired in 2017 after 40+ years in the banking industry. He now stays busy by being on the Boards of three non-profits and with his activities as a volunteer photographer for various non-profits. He manages accounts and finances for RSC.
Director of Communications
Matt Lail
Matt works in marketing and communications during the day, and is also a husband, father, and occasional podcaster by night (Check out Finest Work Songs!).
He loves the vibrancy of Raleigh, as well as the tremendous momentum it has as a city.
Board Member
Melissa Kolodziej
A proven and successful governmental affairs and community relations specialist, Melissa helps guide RSC with domestic administration and diplomacy policy. She has the most wonderful two dogs in the world, Boone and Graham.
Board Member
Michele Young
Michele is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®. She has only been in Raleigh for the past two years, but it has been one of her favorite places to live. During her free time, she likes to try new cuisines and spend quality time with her family.
Director of Development
Meetal Shah
Meetal is a mathematics education researcher. She is a proud nerd and loves collaborating with Sister Cities volunteers. Her role is to support the community-facing board members in achieving the RSC's mission through fundraising and other external investment.
Board Member
Linda Wharton
Linda is a retired after several decades working in software R & D at SAS, in Cary, North Carolina. She enjoys cooking, gardening, hosting visitors, museums, reading, theater, traveling, and spending some downtime with her family in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Marketing Intern
Jada Landrum
Jada is a senior at NCSU majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She is excited to serve the Raleigh community by creating and supporting beautification and sustainability projects.
Chief Information Officer
Pat Hall
Pat is a retired non-profit administrator and helps out with administrative items and membership for RSC. She enjoys all the arts that the City of Raleigh has to offer and likes to get out and explore the Raleigh greenways and enjoy hosting group bike rides for RSC.
Lead Ambassador
Ximena Uribe
Ximena has dedicated her career to designing and producing events while connecting her passion to her work. Business trips have taken her to many countries, where she has been able to learn about their cultures and ways of life.