Meet the Team

Nicole Holubar Walker is a strategic leader in alumni engagement, currently serving as the Managing Director of Alumni Engagement – Leadership Engagement at Emory University. With a background in relationship building, volunteer management, and program development, she specializes in fostering meaningful connections between Emory alumni and the university. Before  joining Emory in 2017, Nicole built her expertise in alumni engagement and nonprofit management through roles at the Georgia Tech Alumni Association and the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia. Her career spans roles in higher education, nonprofit organizations, and community initiatives, where she has successfully developed impactful programs that enhance engagement and volunteerism. She is passionate about creating opportunities for alumni to stay involved with their alma mater, grow professionally, and contribute to causes that matter to them.

Beyond her professional role, Nicole is deeply committed to volunteerism and community engagement. In recent years, Nicole has served as a volunteer leader with the Junior League of Atlanta, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority’s Atlanta Alumnae Chapter, and the Georgia Tech Business Network. She has led community events, mentored emerging professionals, and played a key role in organizing initiatives that support women’s leadership, networking, and philanthropy. Whether planning high-impact speaker series or fostering community networks, she is dedicated to building inclusive, supportive communities. Nicole resides in the Decatur, GA area with her husband, daughter, and two beloved cats.

Ricardo Horne is a proud Mississippian-turned-Atlantan. Around the city, Ricardo spends his free time volunteering as an Atlanta Beltline tour guide. In the past, he has volunteered at the Oakland Cemetery, with Open Hand Atlanta, and with Beltline efforts to help homeowners appeal their property taxes. Professionally, Ricardo leads the Impact Circle program at Emory University. The circles provide funding for causes important to women, the Black community, and the LGBT+ community. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Emory University School of Law.

Damoneke Harper is an Assistant Director of Alumni Services at Emory University, where she plays a vital role in fostering meaningful engagement between the university and its alumni community. She supports the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of alumni programs, events, and initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections and encourage philanthropic support. As Team Lead for Emory Impact Circles, Damoneke oversees both virtual and in-person programs, collaborating with alumni leaders, university stakeholders, and donors to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and community engagement.

As a young professional with a passion for event planning and higher education in student affairs, Damoneke brings strong skills in advising, communication, public speaking, and leadership to every role she takes on. She earned her Master’s in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs from Old Dominion University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In addition to her work in higher education, Damoneke is the co-owner of a Black card game business called "BLK House Games," where she creates content and materials for new card games designed for the Black community.

Iram Mehal is a certified life coach, educator, and entrepreneur with a rich background in education and real estate. As the founder of Iram Mehal Coaching, she draws from her experience in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and group coaching to guide individuals through meaningful transformation. A former educator and successful real estate professional, Iram blends practical wisdom with proven techniques to help clients lead purpose-driven lives. She is also the author of The Mehal Method: A Five-Phase Transformation and a passionate advocate for mindset and personal growth.

Outside of coaching and writing, Iram enjoys reading historical fiction and suspense thrillers, spending time with her family, and being in nature—whether soaking in mountain views or the calming rhythm of ocean waves.

Donnisha Lavigne is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). With over eight years of experience in the mental health field, Donnisha has a diverse background, having worked in various settings such as community mental health, correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric emergency services, private practice, and outpatient facilities.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2015 and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in 2017. Donnisha specializes in supporting individuals with co-occurring disorders, including substance use disorders and chronic health conditions. A passionate advocate for underserved populations, Donnisha was selected as a 2017-2018 Minority Youth Fellow in Addictions Counseling through the NBCC Foundation. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those in marginalized communities throughout her career.

In addition to her counseling work, Donnisha is venturing into writing, exploring blogging, memoirs, non-fiction books, e-books, and mental health-related workbooks as a way to share her insights and connect with others on their healing journeys.Outside of her professional life, Donnisha enjoys exploring her interests in makeup, fashion, and reading. She also relishes in fine dining experiences and cherishes time spent with her beloved fur baby, Loki Maximus, a 2-year-old Maltipoo.

Kiran Shaikh is an impactful leader and operational strategist with more than 15 years of experience leading initiatives across the healthcare, retail, and restaurant industries. As a PMP-certified professional with an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Kiran specializes in delivering high-impact solutions that optimize workflows, strengthen team dynamics, and drive measurable growth. Kiran is known for her people-centered leadership style and her ability to build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders. Her expertise in emotional intelligence—paired with her experience leading workshops on the subject—allow her to cultivate trust, boost team morale, and lead with empathy in every environment she steps into.