I am proud to shine a light on our dynamic Executive Director, Danie Watson-Goetz, whose leadership over the past two years has revitalized our organization and sharpened our focus on youth-driven change and gender equity. Danie is not only a skilled strategist and communicator—she’s also a people-first leader who listens deeply, builds trust, and works tirelessly to move our mission forward.
Since stepping into her role in July 2023, Danie has brought a surge of new energy and direction to WomenNC. One of her earliest accomplishments was collaborating with the board to develop and launch a bold two-year strategic plan. Her leadership also saw the successful relaunch of our flagship WomenNC Scholars Program, which had been on pause due to the pandemic. Under her leadership, we secured over $67,000 in new funding to support this work, enabling us to mentor and train a new generation of young leaders committed to gender justice.
Danie’s approach to leadership combines thoughtful planning with hands-on execution. She oversees $100,000 annual budget with full fiscal transparency, manages payroll, and is actively building a sustainable funding pipeline. She has increased our visibility through engaging and consistent social media campaigns and has taken the lead in authoring our monthly newsletters, keeping our supporters informed, engaged, and connected.
At the heart of Danie’s work is a commitment to local-to-global advocacy. Under her guidance, WomenNC became an official member of the National Cities for CEDAW Alliance, affirming our role in a growing national movement to advance the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in U.S. cities and communities. Danie’s vision aligns perfectly with our mission—to develop youth leaders who advocate for change not only in North Carolina, but also on the national and international stage.
What truly sets Danie apart is her unwavering dedication and integrity. She leads with both head and heart, blending data-informed decision-making with an open, inclusive leadership style. Her colleagues describe her as warm, collaborative, and inspiring—someone who uplifts others while driving forward meaningful results.
Danie’s professional background is as impressive as it is diverse: she launched a legal advocacy nonprofit, taught college courses in sociology, writing, literature, and communications, led editorial teams, and built marketing strategies for award-winning publishers. She holds five academic degrees, including an MBA and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.
With Danie at the helm, WomenNC is growing stronger each day. Her leadership is bold,
compassionate, and deeply rooted in the belief that youth voices matter. We are grateful for her presence, her passion, and her powerful example.
Thank you, Danie, for leading with vision—and for believing so fiercely in the future.
