North Raleigh Today

Governor Josh Stein has announced new additions to his team as he aims to strengthen North Carolina. The appointments include individuals with diverse backgrounds in law, policy, education, and public service.

Adam Chandler will serve as Policy Director. A Burlington native, Chandler has a 12-year tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General. His academic credentials include Yale Law School, the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and Duke University.

Kindl Detar joins as Senior Policy Advisor. Detar's previous roles include Special Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Public Protection Section at the North Carolina Department of Justice. She is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Sadie Weiner is appointed Senior Advisor. With nearly two decades in government and campaigns, Weiner served in Governor Roy Cooper’s office as Communications Director and Director of External Affairs. Her past experience includes roles with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and U.S. Senator Kay Hagan.

Awo Eni becomes Digital Director after working on Cheri Beasley’s Senate campaign in 2022 as Deputy Digital Director. Most recently, she was Director of Digital Content for Senator Sherrod Brown’s re-election campaign in Ohio.

Liz Doherty takes on the role of Policy Advisor after serving Governor Roy Cooper in similar capacities. She holds a Master’s degree from Duke University's Sanford School.

Rania Hassan joins as Policy Analyst, having previously worked under Governor Roy Cooper in policy-related roles. She graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science.

Madhu Vulimiri steps into the role of Senior Advisor for Health & Families Policy from her position at NCDHHS where she was Deputy Director for Child and Family Well-Being programs.

Elena Ashburn will be Senior Advisor for Education Policy following her time as an area superintendent within Wake County Public Schools System.

Jonathan Moch is named Senior Advisor for Climate & Energy Policy after serving as Science and Technology Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of State.

P.J. Connelly returns to his role as Director of the Governor’s Eastern North Carolina Office, having previously served under former Governor Roy Cooper from 2022 to 2024.

Governor Stein expressed confidence in his new team members' abilities to contribute towards building "a safer, stronger North Carolina."