Staff
Anna Koltchagova, Interim Executive Director
Anna is responsible for implementing the vision and mission of NC REAL and for resource development and overall management of organization. She has been a small business owner prior to joining NC REAL in 2000. Currently, she manages the financial and administration aspects of the organization, including grants management. She also has assisted in the development of technology based entrepreneurship business modules and served on staff for REAL Entrepreneurship Institute trainings. Anna has BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University – Sofia and a Masters in Business Administration from Meredith College. She is an active member of Phi Beta Lambda Professional Division. She also serves on the Board of PBL Foundation. Anna won first place in International Business at the Phi Beta Lambda National Conference in 2001. She completed the Education Public Policy Fellowship Program in 2005.
Malinda Todd, Assistant Director
Malinda joined the NC REAL staff in February of 2006. Her primary responsibilities at NC REAL are reaching out to new facilitators and providing support, training, and networking opportunities for current REAL facilitators. Her previous experience with entrepreneurship includes working at the NC Rural Center in entrepreneurship development and microfinance. She also served as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for Orange County Habitat for Humanity. She has an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Latin American Studies and master’s degree in Public Administration both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Arlene Childers, Program Coordinator
Arlene joined the NC REAL staff in January, 2008. Formerly a public school teacher, she is a REAL certified facilitator and has offered REAL in both the public schools and also as a part time facilitator at the community college level. Arlene has been a staff member for a REAL Institute and helped develop and deliver the first K-8 REAL Institute in 2007. She has experience working with Broyhill Furniture Industries and Blue Ridge Healthcare as a Computer Programmer and Senior Systems Analyst. She also worked as a Project Manager for ITP Business Communications. Prior to accepting the position of Program Coordinator for NC REAL, Ms. Childers integrated the REAL Entrepreneurship Curriculum into computer technology classes at Liberty Middle School in Morganton, NC. She has a B.S. in Computer Science from Appalachian State University; and has additional certifications in Business Education and as a CWNA, Certified Wireless Networking Administrator.
Laura Tanzini, Office Manager
Laura joined NC REAL Enterprises in August 2006. She graduated from Peace College in 2004 with a B.A. in Graphic Design. Her previous office experience includes work with Flywheel Design and the NC Farm Bureau Insurance Group. She provides administrative support to staff and facilitators and is the editor of NC REAL’s newsletter REAL Talk.
Eleanor Herndon, Special Projects
Eleanor came to NC REAL in November 1999 as Associate Director for Eastern North Carolina. For 31 years, Eleanor was an educator in grades seven-adult. She has been a school counselor, Director of Student Services, and Director of Career Programs in five school systems. Eleanor served as an Executive Director of NC REAL from 2003 to 2007. At the present, Eleanor works with NC REAL on contract basis. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.