Lelia Duncan, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, has been elected chairperson of the North Carolina Coalition of Big Brothers Big Sisters and reappointed to a second term as Co-Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s National Leadership Organizational Excellence Committee.
In her new statewide role, Duncan will spearhead efforts to align and amplify the work of all five BBBS agencies across North Carolina, advancing a united vision for youth empowerment, expanded mentoring access, and sustainable impact. Her leadership on the national stage continues to shape strategy and excellence across the BBBS network, the country’s largest volunteer-supported mentoring organization.
“It’s an honor to work alongside such dedicated and visionary leaders in North Carolina and across the country,” said Duncan. “Together, we’re not only building a more unified mentoring movement – we’re helping young people unlock their greatest potential and imagine brighter futures.”
A thought leader in crisis-ready leadership, Duncan is the author of Calm Before the Chaos: Building Organizational Resilience, a nationally recognized guide for nonprofits navigating uncertainty and disruption. The manual is currently being distributed throughout the BBBS Federation, and Duncan is in high demand as a speaker on resilience, leadership, and community restoration, regularly presenting to affiliates and organizations nationwide.
With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Duncan has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets and championed programs supporting children and families across the Southeast. Under her direction, BBBS of Western North Carolina has more than doubled its service area and tripled its annual budget, emerging as a model of innovation and impact.
A native of Mississippi now living in Brevard, NC, Duncan holds credentials from the University of Southern Mississippi and the London School of Economics. She is a graduate of BBBSA’s Inaugural National Leadership Class, the Leadership Western North Carolina Pathway Class, and the DuPont Leadership Institute, and was recently selected for the prestigious Leadership Asheville program.
