Leslie J. Winner is a champion for the people of North Carolina. She has spent much of her career as a public servant and public interest lawyer working on issues such as civil rights, gender equity, affordable housing, public education and higher education. In January 2008, Leslie joined Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation as executive director. ZSR – a Winston-Salem based private philanthropic foundation – invests in nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable, sustainable and vibrant State and communities. Leslie spearheads the Foundation’s grantmaking efforts and its work with leaders in the private and public sectors to develop best practices, respond to challenges and opportunities and generate strategies that will advance the future of North Carolina. Prior to this role, Leslie worked as general counsel to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and as Vice President and General Counsel to the University of North Carolina, where she provided legal advice to UNC’s Board of Governors, president and senior administrators at the 17-affiliated institutions. She was also elected to three terms (1993-1998) with the North Carolina State Senate, serving among other positions, as Senate Majority Whip and as co-chair of the Education and Higher Education Committee and Appropriations Committee. Leslie is a native of North Carolina. Click here to download the complete bio.

A native North Carolinian, Joy received a BA in Politics from Wake Forest University and a MPA from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  The Kennedy School named her a Lucius N. Littauer Fellow for her academic achievement and contributions to the school.  After internships in the NC Governor’s Office and The White House, Joy Began working with the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in 1998.  As the Director for Programs, she is responsible for the Foundation’s work in its Strengthening Democracy focus area and works on special projects across the Foundation’s five focus areas.  She has served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors of Wake Forest University, the Board of the Environmental Grantmakers Association, and was a founding member of the boards of the NC Network of Grantmakers, NC Center for Afterschool Programs, and NC Civic Education Consortium.

Hawley Truax served as senior policy advisor to Governor Michael Easley from 2000 to 2008, focusing on energy, environment, transportation, economic and workforce development issues.  He joined the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in December 2008, where he is responsible for the Environment focus area.  Hawley also serves on the North Carolina Building Code Council and has been selected as a 2009 Eisenhower Fellow from the Research Triangle International Leadership Initiative.  Prior to joining the governor’s office, Hawley served as Grants Manager and Senior Planner for City of Cambridge, Massachusetts; consultant to the Boston Foundation's Persistent Poverty Project; and deputy director of Environmental Action Foundation, a national environmental organization.  Hawley graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Amherst College and received his Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.   He is co-editor of Approaches to Community Capacity Building, 1997, The Boston Foundation; and editor of Our Earth, Ourselves:  A Citizens' Guide to Saving the Planet, 1990, Bantam Books. 

Tracey Greene-Dorsett joined the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in June 2011, where she is responsible for the Community Economic Development focus Area. She came from the National Rural Funders Collaborative where she was a Program Officer and Director of Learning and Evaluation. At the Collaborative, she managed a portfolio of grantees in NC, SC, AR, LA, MS, CA and the Northern Plains. She also led projects regarding family economic success and regional asset development, as well as structural racism in rural communities of color. Before going to the Collaborative, Tracey worked as the Director of Technical Assistance and Training for the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations where she focused on providing technical assistance and training to over 50 nonprofits in 26 counties across South Carolina. Tracey's dedication to strengthening the field of community economic development and supporting change agents on the ground--particularly in Southern in communities of color--led her to work with Bank of America's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative over the past five years in its effort to serve next generation leaders in the non-profit sector. Tracey is a native of Asheville, NC, holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received her Master Degree of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.

A native of Biscoe, North Carolina, Natalie received a Bachelor's in Anthropology from Wake Forest University. Upon graduation, Natalie served on a congressional campaign and then moved to Kaneohe, Hawaii where she worked with special needs children conducting behavioral research. After moving back to North Carolina, Natalie took a position as Operations Manager of Citizen Schools, NC - an educational nonprofit organization that serves middle school students in low-income communities. During her time at Citizen Schools, Natalie designed and implemented systems around grant compliance, finance, volunteer management and staff recruitment. Most recently, as a Teach for America Corps Member, Natalie taught ninth grade World History in Miami, Florida, while also earning a Master's Degree in Education and Social Change at the University of Miami. As Associate Program Officer with Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Natalie will work with grantees and communities across the state to recruit and retain excellent leaders in education, build the public will to invest in public education and support diversity and equity in public schools.

Tom joined the Foundation in 1978 as Executive Director and now continues to serve the Foundation as senior fellow.  Throughout his career, Tom has dedicated himself to the people of North Carolina and has worked in a variety of capacities.  He was on the campaign staff of gubernatorial candidate Terry Stanford, was assistant to the chair of the NC Democratic Party, and was administrative assistant to Governor Sanford.  From 1965 to 1969, he was an administrator at the Smith Richardson Foundation in Greensboro, and from 1969 to 1978, he worked as administrative assistant to U.S. Representative Richardson Preyer.  Tom has served on numerous Boards, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem State University, the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the NC Rural Center, and the Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership. <click here to download the complete bio>

Pat Williamson is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and has been with the Foundation since 2002.  Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, she lived and worked in Raleigh, NC as an Administrative Officer with the State Library of North Carolina in the Department of Cultural Resources, and worked in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill for a number of years before returning to the state.  She is a graduate of Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia and received a graduate degree from North Carolina Central University in 2000.   She enjoys reading, writing and spending time with her daughter, Brittany, and their dog, Puff.

Barbara joined the Foundation in 2000 and works in accounting and grants and database management. Before coming to the Foundation, she was an Office Manager with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. Barbara has earned an AAS in Accounting, an AAS in Business Administration and an AAS in Computer Information Technology from Surry Community College, all with honors. She is interested in learning anything new, photography, gardening, and technology and enjoys spending time with her family and animals.

LaRita Bell has been with the Foundation since 1990 in the areas of accounting, grants management and travel.  She is currently the Travel/Meetings Coordinator for the Foundation.  Before coming to the Foundation, LaRita worked as a Secretary in the Law Department of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where she was responsible for the legal accounting system and month-end closing, and as a National Sales Assistant in the Traffic Department of WXII TV 12.  LaRita attended Salem College and enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Gloria Puckett has been with Foundation since 2003 as Administrative Assistant.  Before coming to the Foundation, Gloria worked as Supervisor for the Winston-Salem office of Easter Seals of NC and as a Scheduler/Production Planning Assistant with ARMTEX, Inc.  She has earned an AAS in Accounting and an AAS in Business Administration from Surry Community College, both with honors.  She is married to Petty Officer Adam Puckett and they live in King, NC.  She has two children, Emily and Zach.

Jill Ray has been with the Foundation since January 2, 1997 as an administrative assistant.  Before coming to the Foundation, she was employed as a buyer’s clerk in Purchasing for four years and secretary for six years at AT&T/Lucent Technologies.   She attended Forsyth Technical Community College where she earned a Microcomputing Certificate.  Jill has two children, Taylor and Cady, and a dog, Toby.  She enjoys sports and attending her children’s ballgames.

Terry Lockamy joined Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation as Business Manager on March 30, 2011. He comes to the philanthropic sector after a successful career at Hanesbrands, Inc., formerly Sara Lee Branded Apparel, where he most recently held key positions of divisional Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance.  Terry earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Appalachian State University where he was a Magna Cum Laude graduate.  He also holds an MBA from Appalachian State University. Terry is a native of North Carolina and currently resides in the High Point area.  He is married to Libby and has three children and five grand children.  He enjoys fishing, golf, and being with family.