Start Date: November 2020

Role at Book Harvest: As Director of External Relations at Book Harvest, Benay leads the department to raise the resources required to meet the annual budget; build and execute brand; further and strengthen marketing and communications; foster strategic partnerships; maximize sponsorship programs; and expand relationships with influencers and stakeholders.

Community Involvement: Grow Your World, Board of Directors; Students to Scholars, Founder; Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Communications Committee

Where she studied: BA in Psychology and Religion from Simpson College in Iowa; Master’s of History of Religion from Boston University; Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University

Experience: 16+ years working with nonprofits, including four years as Director of Operations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. Her background includes marketing/communications, development, volunteer management, and operations.

What she’s hopeful for: Universal equity in education and access to education — from birth to graduate school and everything in between.

Favorite Children’s Book Right Now: “Thunder Cake” by Patricia Polacco

Likes & Loves: Benay loves adventure, whether it’s in her backyard or across the world. You’ll find her out hiking, in the gym, hosting dinner parties, trying a new restaurant, or picking fruit at a local orchard. Her favorite people include her husband and a teenager they’ve been mentoring for over five years.