Chapter Officers and Directors| IIBA RTP-Raleigh Chapter
The IIBA RTP-Raleigh Chapter is run by members who dedicate their time and effort for the BA community. It is led by an elected Board of Directors which includes chapter officers and directors. The chapter has several committees and volunteers which support its activities in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina.
The IIBA RTP-Raleigh Chapter's officers and directors for 2026 are listed below.
President
Pamela Thomas, CBAP, CBDA
Pamela Thomas has served as President of the IIBA RTP chapter since 2025, providing strategic leadership rooted in her extensive background as a Senior Business Data Analyst (BDA) with IIBA-CBAP and CBDA certifications.
Her career is marked by a consistent ability to drive organizational change through the strategic use of data, process improvement, and agile methodologies. Pamela's experience includes leading multi-national teams through data, process/assessment, testing and transformation projects. Her experience is enhanced by a deep understanding of both product and enterprise-level Agile and Six Sigma implementations.
Her commitment to the IIBA is further evidenced by her prior role as RTP Chapter VP Membership (2020-2024), Chapter Speaker, Mentor and TriBADD Speaker/Facilitator. She has engaged in partnerships with other IIBA chapters as guest Chapter Speaker and CBAP Study Group Instructor/Facilitator. Pamela has hosted networking socials In-Person (such as "BA Bingo") and Virtually (such as "Agilists Perspective & Networking").
With an MS in Professional Technical Communication (NJIT) and a BS in Electrical Engineering (Tufts University), alongside Scrum Alliance - CSPO and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certifications, Pamela champions a future-focused approach that emphasizes continuous upskilling and engagement with evolving technologies within the business analysis profession.
Treasurer and Director Mentorship
Lori D. Stewart, CBAP, CSPO
Lori D. Stewart is a Senior Project Analyst at Labcorp, on the Digital Business Transformation & Strategy Team. She has been a member of IIBA RTP Chapter since 2013 and is currently serving on the Board as Treasurer and Director of Mentorship.
Lori is excited to revitalize the successful mentoring workshop for the chapter. She has over 15 years of experience as a Senior Business Analyst in both the Financial and Health Care industries. As a CBAP and CPOA, Lori enjoys teaching and helping others to reach their goals.
Secretary
Tyronda K. Ricks, CSPO, CSM
Tyronda K. Ricks is an experienced IT and business analysis professional with more than 20 years of expertise spanning business analysis, data management, project management, and process improvement. With a strong foundation in SDLC, Agile, Waterfall, and iterative methodologies, she has led business and technical teams, driven enterprise application enhancements, and contributed to organizational excellence across multiple state agencies.
Tyronda holds an M.S. in Information Technology – Project Management, dual B.S. degrees in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems, and multiple industry certifications including Certified AI Manager, Certified Scrum Master, Certified Scrum Product Owner, ITIL 4 Foundations, and Six Sigma Green Belt.
Passionate about elevating the business analysis profession, Tyronda is dedicated to supporting the IIBA community through mentorship, collaboration, and the promotion of best practices that strengthen both business outcomes and analyst capability.
Vice President (VP) Marketing & Communications
LaVern Witherspoon
LaVern Witherspoon is a Senior IT Business Analyst/Data Analyst and has experience working in Financial Services, Banking, and Healthcare IT companies in the Research Triangle area.
LaVern began her career as a software engineer and later moved into product and customer engineering roles in technology companies. She enjoys product design, architecture and delivering value for customers. Her recent experience is in data governance, information security, and enterprise risk management.
LaVern enjoys the connections and professional advancement opportunities found in the business analysis community.
Vice President (VP) Membership
Dawn Kibler, CBAP
Dawn Kibler has been a member of the Raleigh Chapter of the IIBA since 2021 and has worked in Business Analysis since 2003. Her background includes both contracting and full-time roles, primarily in the banking industry, with additional experience in insurance and retail.
Dawn has extensive experience in eliciting and documenting requirements, as well as creating comprehensive as-is and to-be process maps across a wide range of projects and subject areas. Dawn actively shares her expertise by training and mentoring others in her current role at Truist, where she leads a team of Senior Business Analysts and oversees the governance of Business and Solution Requirements for Enterprise releases.
Dawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and continually seeks opportunities to learn and grow each year.
Vice President (VP) Professional Development
Tina Ewing, MBA, ECBA, CSM
Tina Ewing is a highly accomplished IT and project management professional, based in Raleigh, NC, with a robust educational background including an MBA from Strayer University and a BA in Business Management & Economics from North Carolina State University. As a certified Scrum Master and Business Analyst, Tina has developed a specialty in overseeing critical projects across IT, healthcare and insurance sectors, which have significantly improved organizational processes and efficiency.
Director, Certification
Keith John Ellis
Keith John Ellis became a member of the IIBA and the IIBA Raleigh (RTP) chapter in 2024 and is actively working toward his IIBA certifications. As the chapter's Director of Certification, John is able to combine his strong background in educational technology and technical domains. His commitment to continuous professional growth aligns perfectly with the IIBA’s mission, making him a valued addition to the community.
John’s academic journey reflects his dedication to technical and quantitative excellence. He holds an MBA in Quantitative Analytics from Southern New Hampshire University, where he also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. Continuing his education, he is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering. Furthermore, he is a DS4EDU Fellow through Carnegie Mellon University’s Simon Initiative, showcasing his commitment to data science applications in education.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, John is passionate about contributing to the broader technical, educational and career transitioning communities. He has designed undergraduate courses in Business and Data Analytics and has served as a technical tester for certificate courses in areas like Quantitative Finance and Artificial Intelligence. He actively volunteers with the Code With the Carolina's civic tech organization, is a member of IEEE ICICLE, and previously served as co-chair for a related Special Interest Group.