Speaker Information

Olaunda Green
Director of Leadership Training

Olaunda is the director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center. In this role, Olaunda oversees the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) and Homegrown Leaders programs. With over 20 years of professional experience, Olaunda has worked with local communities, nonprofit organizations, and state government entities by providing training, facilitation, and technical assistance. Olaunda was born and raised in Bunnlevel, a small township in rural Harnett County, about 20 miles north of Fayetteville.  She received her bachelor’s degree in health education at North Carolina Central University and her master’s degree in human services counseling with a life coaching cognate from Liberty University. In her spare time, Olaunda enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.



Dalton Bailey
Research and Data Manager

Dalton Bailey is a data manager for the NC Rural Center. He conducts research and data analysis for the Rural Center. Dalton was born and raised in a small rural town in Northern Indiana. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice at Manchester University, a small college in rural Indiana, in 2020. He graduated cum laude and won several research conference awards while enrolled. During this time, Dalton participated in a handful of research and data projects at Manchester and in the surrounding rural counties. These projects included evaluating a local county’s drug court program, general community development, and programs at Manchester. He also served as a student board member for the peace studies program, played collegiate tennis, and worked in the university’s first year student experience department.

Dalton then attended Western Kentucky University and completed his master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in psychological science in 2022. This research focused program allowed him to continue to develop his research skills and provided several opportunities to use them in applied contexts. While enrolled, Dalton completed his thesis on political information evaluation and selective political memory. He also managed the program’s social cognition research lab and taught a research methods lab. Dalton also worked as an intern and subcontracted consultant for Elevate Consulting, an evaluation and consulting firm based in Nashville that predominantly serves local non-profit organizations.
Coming from a rural background, Dalton is passionate about using his knowledge to benefit rural communities. He believes these communities are often underserved, and wants to do what he can to improve this in his chosen home of North Carolina. In his free time Dalton enjoys playing with his dog, staying active, and trying new food.



Morgan Welch
Church Engagement Specialist

Morgan is the church engagement specialist for the Faith in Rural Communities team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from Winthrop University and a master of divinity degree from Duke University.
She is passionate about community engagement and empowering people to share their stories as a means of connection. She is sure life’s mundane ins and outs are inherently meaningful. Pulling weeds in a garden, washing dirty dishes after a meal, and other ordinary tasks are all opportunities for us to grow closer to one another.
Morgan grew up along the South Carolina coast and is now grateful to call North Carolina her home.
In her spare time, Morgan enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, playing with her Golden Retriever, and spending time with family and friends.



Mark Molitor
Lead Effectively

Mark Molitor is a leadership development consultant. He serves as a designer and instructor for a variety of leadership development programs. He consults with leadership teams, and, he coaches executives.  Mark has served in leadership roles throughout his life, such as president, CEO, chair, managing partner, cofounder, and team lead. In this phase of his career, he finds deepest fulfillment investing in others to enhance their leadership effectiveness and be their best selves. Mark believes that people are essentially good, innately creative, and able to continually learn and develop their skills.