Mike Rooney*

At Large, President

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A Durham resident for nearly 25 years and father of three, Rhode Island native Mike joined Sister Cities of Durham (SCD) after his youngest son’s 2026 trip to China. Having lived in Australia and traveled to six continents, Mike is eager to serve as SCD President to build on the organization's foundation and create more international travel and cultural opportunities for Durham youth.​

Di Qin*

At Large, Vice President

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He is an accomplished MD, PhD, and MBA candidate at Duke University, where he is  the President of the Duke Chinese Students and Scholars Association (DCSSA). With a strong  background in global healthcare leadership, strategic partnerships, and non-profit  management, Dr. Qin is passionate about fostering international relations and cultural  exchanges, particularly between Durham and its sister cities. 

John Felheim*

At Large, Secretary

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He is interested in blending media and culture into engaging content that stands out from the conventional. Most recently, John held a professional position coordinating Internal Events and Communications for a faith community in Durham. John has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a Japanese Culture minor from the University of South Carolina and he studied at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. He has also joined the Toyama committee.

Mark Goodwille*

At Large, Vice President, Co-Chair, Zhuzhou and Zhuzhou Board Representative

 

He had a career in education and video production. He developed our ties with Zhuzhou, China as a sister city with Durham.

Katie Vanhoy*

At Large and Co-Chair Kavala

 

is the Associate Director of the Duke Homestead and Tobacco Museum. She has served on the Kavala, Greece City Committee since 2018 and was part of SCD's initial delegation to Kavala in 2028 to partner with Kavala's Tobacco Museum.

Nancy Cox

At Large, Treasurer
 

She is a member of the Sister Cities of Durham executive committee and Board Secretary. She most recently worked at Bike Durham as Director if Development and Communication and has a career in K-12 Public Education.

Violet Evans

Co-Chair, Kunshan

 

Her background in biostatistics, she is interested in applying quantitative methods to issues at the intersection of China, demographics, and culture. She is specifically interested in understanding China’s growing global influence and emerging economic growth through a public health lens.

Leslie Fischer

Co-Chair, Durham, UK

 

She is a nutritionist. she has traveled extensively including in Turkey. Leslie is also serving as the Interim Office Manager through January 2025.

Chris Boyer*

Chair of Toyama

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She retired from a career with Durham City administration. She led the committee in developing an annual exchange between Toyama and Durham Tech.

Susanna Ochala*

At Large and Chair, New Cities Committees

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She is an at Large director at Sister Cities of Durham and Executive Staff, Event Planning, and Community Engagement at Self Help.

Dot Borden

LifeTime Director

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She is the founder of Sister Cities of Durham. 

Gwenn Bookman*

At Large, and Co-Chair, Arusha

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She is a Associate Professor of Poltical Science at Bennett College and has a focus on Global Studies.

Lusia Li

Co-Chair, Zhuzhou

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She ls a Senior Programmer Analyst with Duke University 




 

Dr. Carolina Vera Reséndiz*

Chair, Celaya

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She is a prosthodontist from Mexico City, earned her DDS from UNAM in2000 and completed her MS and specialty training in Prosthodontics and Oral Implantology at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Eve Marion

Co-Chair, Durham, UK

 

She is a past President and works at Duke University's Clinical Research institute.

Mitch Scurtu

Chair, Sibiu

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He has close ties to Ramona and a 30+ career in major Pharma and CRO companies.

Ronda Pierce*

Co-Chair, Arusha and Arusha Board Representative

 

She is a board memeber with Sister Cities International (SCI), serving as the SCI country Representation to Tanzania.

Brady Surles*

Co-Chair, Kavala and Kavala Board Representative

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He is a past SCD President and served the organization through many initiatives.  

James Long*

Co-Chair, Kunshan, Kunshan Board Representative and Chair Economic Development

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Drawing on his background in international business, venture development, and China's startup ecosystem, entrepreneur James works to strengthen economic, technological, and educational ties between Durham and Kunshan. Driven by the belief that mutual understanding unlocks opportunity, he leverages his active business projects in China to build a bridge for cross-border collaboration, sustainable growth, and innovation between the two communities.

Alma Reynaga*

At Large

 

She is the Director, CSP Operations ISG - Global Supply Chain at Lenovo US. Alma graduated with Honors as Engineer in Computer Sciences, and a Master in Innovation for the Entrepreneurial Development degree by the ITESM University. Alma lived and worked in the Triangle from 2010 to 2012 and was happy to return from her hometown in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2019 to assume her current position with Lenovo. Alma has been an active member of the Celaya, Mexico City committee and also volunteers with Raleigh Sister Cities. She is very passionate about connecting with different cultures, and sharing her Mexican heritage