Read and Feed Welcomes New Board Members
10/25/2021
CARY, NC, October 25, 2021 – Read and Feed, an organization known for giving kids an appetite for reading, appointed three community members to their Board of Directors: Nia Doaks, Niya Fonville, and Benjamin Swaney. These new directors will provide strategic direction for continued growth around Read and Feed’s mission and add to the wealth of experience, talent, and energy present in the volunteer board.
Nia Doaks is an attorney at the law firm Poyner Spruill LLP, counseling business owners and practitioners on employment-related issues. Nia received her Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law and also received her Master’s in Business Administration from Wake Forest University School of Business. Nia advises clients on federal and state employment law matters and represents clients in proceedings before various administrative agencies and courts. Additionally, Nia assists with immigration needs and counsels on related questions. Nia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, volunteers for CORRAL Riding Academy as a member of the Internal Affairs Committee, and is on the Executive Committee for the British American Business Council. Of her board service, Nia states, “I was drawn to Read and Feed because of my passion around mentorship and recognize the impact a good mentor can have on a child’s life. I look forward to deepening my commitment to mentorship and service through my tenure on the Read and Feed Board.”
Niya Fonville serves as the Director of Externships and adjunct faculty member at Campbell Law School. Prior to joining Campbell Law, Niya worked for more than a decade with Legal Aid of North Carolina, where she helped some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens at times of greatest need. Currently Niya sits on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Board of Governors and chairs the Wake County Bar Association’s (WCBA) Committee for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Other professional memberships include the N.C. Equal Access to Justice Foundation Board, the Capital City Lawyers Association and the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers. Of her board service, Niya shares, “since childhood, I used reading to provide access to a whole new world of possibilities, as I could be anywhere and do anything I wanted at any given time. As a board member, I am eager to leverage my networks and skillset to expand Read and Feed’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in further service to our community.”
Benjamin Swaney is a Senior Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors FiNet. Benjamin holds both a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, adding expertise and specialization in his work managing investments for families and small businesses. After taking a short break from board membership, Benjamin returns to continue his good work for the organization. “I am excited to resume my involvement,” he shares. “I am excited to help Read and Feed grow and continue to strengthen our commitment to the children we serve.”
“I am delighted to welcome such talented individuals to the board,” said Read and Feed Board President Tina Vrabel. “I know that Nia, Niya, and Ben are all passionate about making a difference in the lives of children in Wake County. I look forward to working with them!”
