The Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO of Passage Home Inc., my goal is to expand access to affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and strengthen support services that help individuals and families achieve stability. I am committed to addressing food insecurity, providing critical emergency assistance, and advancing workforce development opportunities so the communities we serve can build lasting self-sufficiency and thrive.
Crystal Gwendo
Crystal Gwendo is the Chief Executive Officer of Passage Home, bringing more than 18 years of leadership experience across nonprofit and public service sectors. She leads the organization’s work in Wake County focused on housing stability, workforce development, emergency assistance, and economic mobility.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Gwendo held senior leadership roles across domestic and international installations, managing federal budgets exceeding $137 million, overseeing $3.2 billion in assets, and leading large-scale and disaster response operations. Her service earned multiple honors, including the USAF Humanitarian Medal.
Gwendo holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, degrees in Occupational Safety and Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Production Maintenance, and is currently pursuing an MBA. A Certified Community Action Professional, she is deeply committed to strengthening systems that support families, expand opportunity, and build thriving communities, with active leadership at regional and statewide levels addressing homelessness and early childhood education
Director of Programs
Stephanie is a native of Eastern North Carolina. She is a former Head Start parent and believes that Head Start was one of the foundations that helped her and her son begin their journey towards gaining greater economic self-sufficiency and effectively breaking the cycle of poverty, by providing a safe and secure place for her son to play, as they both set out to further their education to soaring heights.
Upon obtaining Early Childhood Credentials, and Child Development Associates Credentials, Stephanie began her career with Coastal Community Action, Inc.
Stephanie Cox
Stephanie has assumed many roles since her tenure with Community Action began in 1998. Leading to her current role as the Director of Programs here at Passage Home Inc.
Her desire to help set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time sensitive goals is what has been the most rewarding. Stephanie’s greatest hope is that the families serviced through the programs via Passage Home, Inc. feel encouraged, heard, supported, and valued.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Education Degree. Both earned through Ashford University.
Stephanie is a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP), a Nationally Certified Results Oriented Management Accountability Implementer, a Certified Community Resiliency Model Trainer (CCRMT), and a Professionally Certified Empowerment Life Coach (PCELC).
