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Andrew Kragie
Smith Anderson
Andrew, an attorney with Smith Anderson’s Workplace Law and Employment Litigation teams, advises employers on employment law compliance, litigation, workplace speech issues, and restrictive covenants. Before practicing law, Andrew spent six years as a journalist covering law, policy, and politics for outlets including Law360 and The Atlantic.
Benji Taylor Jones
Smith Anderson
Benji is a corporate transactional attorney with more than 20 years of experience advising public and private companies on securities law, capital raises, M&A transactions, corporate formation and governance, and regulatory compliance. Her unique toolbox of financial strategies has helped countless companies navigate both conventional and alternative paths to raising capital. She also served as an adjunct professor at Campbell Law School and was a founding member of xElle Ventures, an early-stage angel network supporting women founders.
Carina Arellano
Smith Anderson
Carina is an attorney with Smith Anderson’s Technology Transactions and Intellectual Property, and Data Privacy practice groups who advises companies on intellectual property strategy, commercial contracts, artificial intelligence, data privacy, software licensing, and other issues at the intersection of law and emerging technology. She works closely with business, legal, and technical teams to help clients navigate risk, close deals efficiently, and support growth.
Before practicing law, Carina worked in Duke University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, where she developed strong skills in communication, evaluation, and relationship-building. She remains passionate about mentorship, entrepreneurship, and expanding access in law and technology.
Dean Gooden
North State Bank
Senior Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer
A Raleigh native, Dean, has worked in corporate finance and commercial banking for over 30 years. He joined North State Bank in 2011 as a Market President in one of Raleigh’s fastest-growing areas. In 2021, Dean joined the Bank’s Government Lending Division as an SBA business development officer, where he works with companies nationwide to structure and secure SBA-backed lending opportunities.
Dean earned a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in finance from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business. He furthered his professional education at the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania.
Hal Averette
Jones Advisors
Senior Commercial Advisor and Partner
Hal Averette is a Partner of Jones Advisors and specializes in business insurance. Prior to joining Jones in 1992, Hal spent ten years in the banking industry where he learned much about the financial workings of many types of businesses and non-profit organizations. Hal strongly believes in our core value of being driven to serve, as is evidenced by his service on the local Board of Directors for North State Bank and his ongoing support of various local charities and non-profits. He especially holds Falcon Children’s Home, the Frankie Lemmon School and Development Center and Hilltop Home, near and dear to his heart.
Currently, Hal focuses on bonding and risk management strategies for both public and private organizations. He particularly enjoys tackling challenging cases. Hal’s greatest strength lies in his ability to truly understand a business’s risks and design customized plans to address their unique situations.
When he isn’t in the office, you can find Hal engaging in activities such as golfing, hiking, and smoking meat. He is a certified Kansas City Barbecue Judge and takes pleasure in traveling and judging various competitions throughout the state. Furthermore, Hal is an avid hunter and has gained a well-earned reputation as the greatest wild-game chef in the area!
Julie Dillon
EisnerAmper
Senior Manager, Construction Services
Julie B. Dillon is a Senior Manager in the firm's Private Client Services Group as well as the Industry Leader for the firm's Construction practice. With over 20 years of experience, Julie specializes in providing tax services and primarily helps closely held businesses, with a focus on the construction industry. Julie also works with family businesses, professional services, wholesale distribution, real estate, and manufacturing. Additionally, Julie has served in a position with a Fortune 500 company.
In her current role, Julie provides tax compliance services for both business and individual clients. She assists clients who file in multiple states with income, franchise, sales & use taxes. She also supports clients by consulting on transactional events, such as mergers, sales, purchases, and owner retirement activities.
Prior to joining the firm, Julie was a Senior Manager at Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG), a North Carolina-based leading accounting firm. She also served part of her career at a Big 4 accounting firm.
Luke Hoffman
North Carolina Employee Ownership Center
Director of Programs
Luke has a background in nonprofit operations, program development, event and project management, building strong partnerships, and managing committees and boards. He previously worked for NCEOC from 2022 to 2024 and is looking forward to continuing the work of expanding employee ownership in North Carolina. He was first introduced to employee ownership while studying at Appalachian State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development with a focus in Community, Regional, and Global Development and a minor in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. Luke lives in Winston-Salem, NC.
Mark Weldon
City of Raleigh
Small Business Development Manager
Mark Weldon leads the Small Business Development Division for the City of Raleigh, delivering new resources and tools for entrepreneurs and the storefront businesses that are the heart and soul of Raleigh.
Mark has devoted the last 2 decades of his career to serving Raleigh’s small business community. He has private sector small business experience, along with non-profit work in small business promotion, advocacy, and service.
After joining the City of Raleigh over 6 years ago, Mark has built an expert team, launched several small business initiatives and events, and connected a collaborative network of business alliances and support organizations, all working on behalf of Raleigh’s small business owners.
Monica Molina
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
Business Solutions Officer
Monica Molina is a dynamic professional with over 25 years of business experience spanning multiple industries. As a first-generation business owner, Monica understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with entrepreneurship. With eight years spent managing businesses, she has honed her ability to navigate complex industries and empower others to achieve their goals.
A passionate advocate for underserved communities, Monica possesses a broad professional network and a deep understanding of diverse business landscapes. Whether coaching aspiring business owners or connecting them with key resources, Monica is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth and driving success for small businesses.
Roberta McCullough
Institute Capital/NIMED
Senior Vice President and COO
Roberta McCullough currently serves as Senior Vice President and COO of Institute Capital (ICAP), a community development financial institution (CDFI) and the lending affiliate of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development. She leads her team in providing investment capital for small businesses, affordable housing developers, and community-based organizations across ICAP’s multistate service region. McCullough has forty years of experience in banking, community and economic development; financing affordable housing developers and community development corporations (CDCs) in predevelopment funding and providing permanent capital on completed housing projects.
McCullough holds a BS in Mathematics from Shaw University and MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.