Homegrown Leaders

Olaunda is the director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center. In this role, Olaunda oversees the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) and Homegrown Leaders programs. With over 20 years of professional experience, Olaunda has worked with local communities, nonprofit organizations, and state government entities by providing training, facilitation, and technical assistance.

Olaunda was born and raised in Bunnlevel, a small township in rural Harnett County, about 20 miles north of Fayetteville.  She received her bachelor’s degree in health education at North Carolina Central University and her master’s degree in human services counseling with a life coaching cognate from Liberty University.

In her spare time, Olaunda enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Susannah started at the NC Rural Center in 2025 as the program associate with our leadership training programs and the Faith in Rural Communities program. Prior to joining the Rural Center, Susannah worked at Episcopal Migration Ministries building capacity for highly vulnerable refugees and newcomers. She worked with agencies across the country on their volunteer and mentorship programs, oversaw the development of a comprehensive e-learning platform, and submitted required data and reports to the federal government. Before that, she worked at the Hispanic Alliance in Greenville, S.C., managing the Student DREAMers Alliance and collaborating across the Upstate of South Carolina to build a vibrant and thriving community for all.

Susannah studied psychology and Spanish at Furman University. She loves books and movies, cooking and walking with her husband and dog, and would always rather be exploring a trout stream in Western North Carolina.