Fall Triad Phenomenal Women of the Triad

Phenomenal Woman: Spotlighting Inspiring Women Around Us. Our column “Phenomenal Woman” aims to celebrate impressive, daring, and trailblazing local women who empower and uplift our community. We’re on a mission to highlight the changemakers, go-getters, and advocates that readers can find inspiration and wisdom from.

Meet Ashley (Greensboro, NC)

Ashley Carter is the creator of the affordable life and style brand, FabEllis. Her passion is encouraging women to live and dress fabulously. Online she shares her passion for style by showing how to mix thrift finds with current trends as well as how to add more color into your wardrobe. She also shares inspiration daily to encourage women to protect their inner peace, grow and live in their God-given purpose. Learn more about Ashley & FabEllis here.

Meet Angeli (Winston-Salem,NC)

Angeli was raised by immigrant parents, in small-town S.C. Her food service & nutrition career took her all around the Carolina’s in her 20’s & most of her 30’s. Finally wanting a place to settle, she’s called Winston Salem, NC “home” for nearly a decade. Entering real estate four years ago, she’s the chief negotiator (her favorite part) @Thrive Real Estate @ Keller Williams Realty Elite. She loves practicing residential real estate, helping first time buyers, & has started dabbling in commercial. She loves the Piedmont Triad & supporting her local & small business community (as she was raised in a local, family business, herself). She’d also like to be a proponent in our affordable housing market & believes that home ownership should be a possibility & reality for every individual. In her free time, she loves hanging with friends & her mom, gardening, running, & taking her dog, Archer, around town.

Meet Britney (Winston-Salem,NC)

Britney holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a Life Coach for parents and teenagers. She also is a Hands On North West & Wake Forest University Women’s Emerging Leaders Graduate and City of Winston Salem University 2022 graduate. Britney also has several certifications from her 10-year tenure as a public school teacher and her role in the non-profit sector. Britney believes in “working hard and being nice.”

Britney is a 2022 United Way Women United Transformational Leader and she has been featured in several media publications. She serves on the board for Triad Restorative Justice and volunteers with many local organizations. In her spare time, Britney enjoys reading, watching Jeopardy and playing board games with family and friends.

Welcome, Michelle (Winston-Salem, NC)

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Michelle Merrill is the dynamic Music Director of the Winston-Salem Symphony and Coastal Symphony of Georgia. As a guest conductor, she has led renowned orchestras including the National Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Dallas Symphony, and more.
Merrill previously served as Assistant and Associate Conductor of the Detroit Symphony under Leonard Slatkin from 2014-2018. She has been recognized with awards including a 2016 Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award and the 2013 Ansbacher Conducting Fellowship.
Originally from Dallas, Merrill holds conducting degrees from Southern Methodist University. When not conducting, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Meet Sherricka (Greensboro,NC)

Sherricka Carpenter Stanley is an author and founder of Wabash To Worthing
Publishing, LLC. A native of Durham, NC, she resides in Greensboro, NC with her
husband and children. Sherricka is a twenty plus year former educator and an alumnus
of NCA&TSU. Fulfilling a dream no longer deferred, this lifelong learner is the author of
two childrens’ books with more on the way. Lover of rainy days, applesauce, and a good
book, Sherricka has recently added Bookstore Owner to her name. Housed in the foyer
of a local Black owned restaurant, (Ben’s Boyz Restaurant), this NC A&T graduate has
turned Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop into a gem of a spot for local and national
artisans of all types to showcase their work.

Meet Katie (Winston-Salem,NC)

Katie Hall joined the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County in 2021 as Chief Advancement Officer.
In 2023, she was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Development. She leads fundraising, communications, branding, and marketing for the $2MM organization.
Katie earned her BA from Salem College in 2014 and MBA from Wake Forest in 2019. She is actively involved in the Winston-Salem community, serving on boards for organizations like the Symphony, Old Salem, and Rotary Club.
Awards include 2023 40 Under 40, 2020 20 in their 20s, and 2019 Young Alumna from Salem College. In her free time, Katie enjoys traveling, community arts, and connecting with all generations in the City of Arts and Innovation.