Wake Tech Foundation
Foundation Board of Directors Welcomes New Members
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 9, 2025) – The Wake Tech Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of six outstanding business and community leaders to its Board of Directors.
Shweta Bhatia, Dr. Chhavi Chauhan, Albert R. Eckel, Ehsan Khani, Greg Poole IV and Briana (Bri) Smith will fill strategic needs at the Foundation with their impressive records of local leadership and their deep commitment to Wake Tech's mission.
Bhatia is executive vice president and chief technology officer at Advance Auto Parts. She brings more than 20 years of technology and operational leadership and is known for guiding transformational programs that deliver quality solutions with speed and efficiency. Before joining Advance, Bhatia served as senior vice president of technology at Dollar General, where she led a multi-year, end-to-end modernization effort. She also previously held leadership roles at Walmart International, overseeing the core retail technology portfolio for global markets, and at Kohl's, where she drove multi-channel strategy and implementation. In 2023, she authored "Reinvent Your Career: Key Strategies to Unlock Professional Success and Design a Fulfilling Life," a practical framework for navigating career transitions and achieving long-term fulfillment. Bhatia holds an MBA from Amity University in India and is passionate about enabling career growth and workforce development.
Chauhan is the founder and president of Samast AI, director of scientific outreach at the American Society for Investigative Pathology and a volunteer program manager for the Women in AI Accelerate & Raise Programs. She serves on the boards for various mission-driven organizations in scholarly publishing, digital pathology, AI ethics and youth education. Chauhan is a former biomedical researcher, expert scholarly communicator and sought-after mentor in the fields of scientific research, scholarly publishing and AI ethics. She is a renowned international speaker, an award-winning author and a strong advocate for accessible health care.
Eckel is a co-founder and partner for E&V Strategic Communications in Raleigh. He has more than 30 years of communications and marketing experience in the areas of corporate reputation, brand positioning, executive visibility and issues management. In his current role, Eckel guides E&V and its clients in public affairs, crisis communications and public relations by building trust and offering unique problem-solving experience in complex communications and brand-oriented matters. Eckel is a board member of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and has twice served as its chair. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Elon University and is a graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Development program at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Khani is the dealer principal of Westgate Auto Group and owner of Westgate Realty. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1987 after growing up in Iran and living for a year in Pakistan. He enrolled in Wake Tech's English as a Second Language program and took night classes while holding day jobs at a survey company and a grocery store. Khani has amassed a substantial real estate portfolio over the past several decades, encompassing multiple dealerships and 1 million square feet of commercial property. Among his most significant acquisitions are a 123-acre income-producing landfill and a 140,000-square-foot building, now the corporate headquarters for his real estate and automotive businesses. Khani is a proud supporter of the Foundation of Hope and the American Red Cross.
Poole is senior vice president at Gregory Poole Equipment Company, representing the fourth generation of Poole family leadership. He oversees strategic growth, operations and industry partnerships, driving innovation and business performance. Poole has held leadership roles in product support and rental operations and has extensive experience in service operations and customer solutions. Previously, he worked in corporate advisory at IHS Markit (now S&P Global), where he specialized in financial analysis, market strategy and corporate governance. Poole holds a bachelor's degree in business from North Carolina State University and a master's degree in accounting from UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Poole is passionate about workforce development and increasing awareness around skilled trades. He actively supports initiatives that connect education with industry needs and help build a strong pipeline of skilled professionals for the future.
Smith brings nearly 15 years of experience in wealth management to the board, currently serving as vice president and financial advisor at CAPTRUST, a Registered Investment Advisor firm headquartered in Raleigh. She specializes in comprehensive financial planning for high-net-worth individuals, working collaboratively to develop and implement tailored strategies that support their long-term financial objectives. Smith's strengths lie in her ability to act as a trusted accountability partner, translating complex financial concepts into actionable plans that align with her clients' values and goals. Her dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Wheaton College in Massachusetts provide her with unique insights into behavioral finance and family dynamics, enriching her approach to client relationships and strategic planning. As a Certified Financial Planner® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, Smith is committed to excellence in financial stewardship. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about empowering communities and fostering inclusivity. Her experience equips her to contribute valuable financial governance and strategic guidance to the Foundation board, ensuring sustainable impact and fiduciary responsibility.
The leadership team of the Foundation's Board of Directors includes Chair Will Smith and Chair-Elect Tomesah Harrison. Other Executive Committee members include Tim Burgess (treasurer), and Dr. Scott Ralls (secretary). The Foundation's executive director is Matt Smith.
Other members of the Foundation Board of Directors are Angela Boykin, Audrea Caesar, Scarlet Edwards, Tony Holmes, Dana Martinez, Nick Neptune, Carnessa Ottelin, Candis Parker, Karen Schaefer, Marshall Stein, Mari Suzuki, Anna Tison, Christine Vannais, Sharma Vemuri, Sophia Wajnert, Kevin Walker and Pat Wilkins.
