Angella Dunston is a servant leader with a heart for people. She is a dedicated community change champion and policy advocate who has a demonstrated history of working to bring about effective statewide change in the nonprofit and government sector. She began her training in environmental justice fighting as an activist for the removal of toxic cancerous chemicals dumped in rural Warren County, where she grew up. She is the Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy for Dunston Leadership Consulting; in that role, she ensures that low-income communities are provided a seat at the decision-making table alongside government leaders, as well as public- and private- sector representatives. Dunston previously served as Director of Community and Faith-Based Outreach for former Gov. Beverly Perdue. In that role, she was responsible for building a network of statewide advocates that included black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and the faith-based community. For more than 10 years, she was director of the Education and Law Project at the NC Justice Center. Dunston currently serves as the co-chair of fund development on the Board of Lillian’s List, which supports progressive women running for legislative office, and on the advisory council for Volunteers of America Carolina Council. She is a professional with more than 20 years of experience in government relations, community engagement, and social advocacy. She has expansive skills in leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is currently utilizing those skills to bring about effective change and enhance community impact in North Carolina. Dunston is a proud mom and aspiring author. In her spare time, she takes care of her loving family, which includes a Pomeranian pup named Mr. Polo “THE Personality.”