Wanda L. McArn

CEO & Founder

Wanda L. McArn is the driving force behind the forming of Next Step Development Corporation and serves as the CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors. Wanda grew up in Lumberton, NC in one of the poorest counties in the state and saw the effects of generational poverty. Her mother, Rosa worked multiple jobs to care for her three children and oftentimes, going without meals for herself. She was able to maintain a loving household and her children wanted for nothing. However, she did receive subsidized housing and by the grace of God, they were never homeless. Her mother’s drive, encouragement and support of others in the community is what led to Wanda’s desire to always help those in need. 

Wanda lived in and traveled to some of the largest cities in the US during her career and was overwhelmed by the sheer number of homeless Americans sleeping under highway underpasses, in tents cities or the parks, streets and storefronts. Closer to home, she has several family members dealing with substance abuse issues and mental illness. Others are couch surfing, paying daily for hotels or sleeping in their cars and all of them with jobs but can’t find affordable apartments. This firsthand experience has made her an advocate for an improved and more robust mental health system and affordable housing that keeps pace with the community needs. 

She retired in January of 2020 from W.W. Grainger to pursue her passions and Next Step Development Corporation was birthed. All of the Founding Board members have the same heart for helping those in need of a hand up. 

Wanda earned her B.S. degree in Industrial Relations with a minor in Economics from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a proven track record in sales leadership, business development and business process consulting. 

Additionally, she serves as a Founding Board Member and VP of Events for the National Sales Network’s Raleigh chapter; member of NC Coalition to End Homelessness, National Association of Mental Illness, NC Nonprofits and Christ Our King Community Church.