The Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
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 and lead 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 opportunities, and build thriving communities, while actively advocating issues like homelessness and poverty at regional and statewide levels.
Director of Programs
Stephanie Cox
From a part-time Purchase of Care Provider to a Teacher’s Assistant, Acting Supervisory Teacher, and a Family Development Specialist, 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).
