Board service is one of the many ways alumni and friends continue to strengthen the Pack, because the Pack is always stronger together.

The NC State Alumni Association board of directors recently welcomed five new members. Board members provide input and guidance to the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving team and are charged with creating an engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life. Currently, twenty-five alumni serve on the board, with a term of service that can last up to eight consecutive years. Board members are leaders in their respective fields and engaged members of the Wolfpack. They are active through their involvement in volunteering, philanthropy and taking part in Wolfpack experiences. Through an application process, the Alumni Association board of directors is open to graduates and friends who have an interest in NC State. 

“I’m excited to welcome the new members of the board as we continue the work of creating an engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life,” said Reshunda Mahone, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

“I’m excited to welcome the new members of the board as we continue the work of creating an engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life.”

Jay Biggs

Jay Biggs ‘95 received his bachelor’s degree from NC State and his master’s from Appalachian State. He has been an HR professional since 1998, including at NC State from 2000 to 2005. He has served in several roles with the Wake County Alumni Club, including as Pack partners coordinator, philanthropy coordinator and president. He has also served as a Wolfpack Club representative for close to a decade. Biggs has served on the board of directors for a local athletic association for 15 years and as the director of a traveling soccer program for 10 years. 

Photo coming soon.

Karen Bullock

Karen Bullock ’90, Ph.D., is the Louise McMahon Ahearn Endowed Professor in the Boston College School of Social Work and in Global Public Health. Her work is focused on clinical practice and research with older adults and serious illness care, including hospice, palliative and end-of-life care decision making. She has over 20 years of experience volunteering with the Park Scholarships program as a member of the selection committee, as well as serving as a faculty research member for Park Scholars. She is a former department head of Social Work in CHASS. Bullock was born and raised in Warren County, North Carolina. 

Kaitlyn Gainey

Kaitlyn Gainey ’26 is a construction engineering major and Caldwell Fellows class of 2026 member. While at NC State, she has been immersed in acts of service and academic enhancement. During her time with the Caldwell Fellows, specifically, she has aided in the organization of Shack-A-Thon endeavors for numerous years. She has also been a team lead for the Engineering Career Fair at NC State for the past three years, with roles in shipping, analytics and publicity. Gainey acts as a chancellor’s aide and a Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering Department Ambassador. In addition, she is the director of activities for the Associate General Contractors chapter, a University Honors Program student, has led with SATELLITE Camp and Service Raleigh and is active in Cru, where she is a Bible study leader. Gainey plans to work in the construction industry after graduation, having interned during her time at NC State with Crowder Construction, Habitat for Humanity and DPR Construction.

Kylee O’Keefe

Kylee O’Keefe ’26 is a senior at NC State from Cary, North Carolina, and is majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in leadership. She is the president of the Student Alumni Association Ambassadors and the social media intern for the Poole College of Management. In addition to these extracurricular activities, she has served on the recruitment committee for the Poole College of Management Student Ambassadors and was the fundraising chair for Studio 804 Ballet Company. O’Keefe is also a member of both the American Marketing Association and Women in Business at NC State. After graduation, she plans to work in digital marketing and social media after internships in marketing and communications, sales and social media. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the board and further bridge the gap between students and alumni.

John Powers

John Powers ’91 earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from NC State in 1991 and his M.D. from Wake Forest University in 1998. He has been an invasive cardiologist for Novant Health in Winston-Salem for 21 years. Powers enjoys patient care and has served in multiple leadership positions, including lead physician for Novant Health Cardiology in Winston-Salem. Before beginning medical training, he was a process engineer for Procter & Gamble in Browns Summit, North Carolina. John and his wife, Anne, have been supporters of the Caldwell Fellows program, are members of the Forsyth County Alumni Network and are big Wolfpack sports fans.

About NC State Alumni

NC State Alumni connects more than 300,000 alumni worldwide through meaningful opportunities to engage, give back through passion-driven philanthropy and volunteer opportunities, and celebrate their Wolfpack pride. From student programs and young alumni initiatives to affinity groups and regional networks to WolfTreks travel experiences, we provide connection points for every stage of life. As keepers of NC State’s traditions and champions of its bold Think and Do spirit, we create an engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life.