ArtXecute Board of Directors
Lisa Taylor (Board Chair) brings more than 30 years of dedicated service as an educator in North Carolina’s public schools. Her career has included roles as an Exceptional Children’s Teacher, Behavior Support Liaison, and currently Educational Consultant for the State of North Carolina. In each position, she has remained committed to student growth, equity, and inclusive learning environments. A seasoned professional developer, Lisa specializes in restorative practices, equipping educators and leaders with tools to create respectful and supportive communities.
Beyond her professional work, Lisa is deeply committed to service. She actively volunteers at community events that support children and families and serves as a youth leader and teacher within her faith community. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she embodies a lifelong commitment to leadership, sisterhood, and service.
Lisa’s passion for the arts began at age seven through instrumental performance and has been a constant in her life. As a parent, she encouraged the arts through her children’s choral and dance involvement, reinforcing her belief in the arts as a transformative force for self-expression, well-being, and community. Now serving as Board Chair of ArtXecute, Lisa is eager to mentor youth, foster positive relationships, and guide the organization in fulfilling its mission to inspire, empower, and uplift the next generation.
Nicol Lofton (Vice Chair) brings over three decades of experience in service and leadership to her role as Vice Chair of the ArtXecute Board of Directors. She retired after 31 years with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, where she served as a supervisor and CNA II, working extensively with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her career also included supporting youth in community group homes who faced significant behavioral challenges, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to care and advocacy.
Beyond her professional service, Nicol has been a therapeutic foster parent to four children over the course of eight years, an experience that deepened her dedication to creating stable, nurturing environments for young people. She is also a proud mother of two and grandmother of two.
Her community leadership is equally distinguished. Nicol serves on the City of Goldsboro’s Commission of Community Relations and Development and is a board member for Kriquette’s Kidz. She is an active volunteer with Wayne Uplift, which provides shelter and resources to women and children affected by domestic violence, and she contributes to the WAGES Meals-On-Wheels program, ensuring seniors in the community receive daily meals and support.
When she is not serving others, Nicol enjoys cycling and cherishes time with her family and friends. At ArtXecute, she is passionate about using the arts to build family, foster belonging, and create safe spaces where youth feel seen, heard, protected, and empowered to thrive.
Jennifer Isenhower (Finance Director) brings strong financial expertise and community leadership to her role as Finance Director for ArtXecute. She holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management, equipping her with the skills to provide clear oversight of ArtXecute’s fiscal health.
Jennifer’s professional background includes more than 20 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, and financial management. In addition to her work as a licensed Realtor with The Property Shoppe, she serves as Treasurer for both the Wayne Museum and the Goldsboro-Wayne County Association of Realtors (GWCAR). In these roles, she collaborates with boards, committees, and volunteers to strengthen organizations, support small businesses, and develop community programs and events.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Jennifer enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandsons. She is excited to bring her skills and passion for service to ArtXecute, helping ensure the organization’s resources are stewarded with integrity as it grows and impacts the community.
Sunday Williams (Secretary) brings over 10 years of experience in management and administration, excelling at keeping operations efficient, coordinating schedules, streamlining communication, and ensuring the right information reaches the right people. Her background in people development has shaped her ability to anticipate needs, build strong teams, and support both individuals and organizational goals. Beyond her professional work, Sunday’s role as a devoted mother and proud aunt has deepened her commitment to service, patience, and resilience. She believes in leading with integrity, paying it forward, and pouring into others—especially children, who are the future—with care and purpose.
LaVelle Payne (Member-at-Large) moved to North Carolina in 2011 with her son, Jordan, who now proudly serves in the United States Air Force. She is the Founder and President of Haven of Love & Restoration, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women who struggle with addiction. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, she serves as the Peer Support Supervisor at Cherry Hospital through the Department of Health and Human Services.
LaVelle chose to serve with ArtXecute because she has personally witnessed the unifying power of the arts—how they bring people together across age, background, and culture. She has seen firsthand how the arts can be life-changing for participants and looks forward to the continued growth and impact of this program.
Barbara I. Jones (Executive Director) brings a lifetime of service, creativity, and dedication to her role as founder and executive director of ArtXecute. A United States Air Force veteran, Barbara has called Goldsboro home since 2005, raising three adult children here and contributing to the community in countless ways.
Her career reflects both depth and breadth. She homeschooled her children for ten years and has taught at every educational level—elementary, middle, high school, and college—spending four years as a faculty member at Wayne Community College. With over five years in the nonprofit sector and more than three decades in theatre as a writer and director, Barbara has devoted the vast majority of her work to helping young people grow in confidence and discipline through the arts.
Barbara holds a master’s degree in Communication—Script and Screenwriting from Regent University. She is also an attorney, an author, and a playwright, bringing a unique blend of artistry, advocacy, and leadership to ArtXecute.
What drives her is simple yet profound: “I love seeing kids discover things in themselves that they didn’t know were there. I love being a part of that process.”