The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity today announced Maggie Woods as the new director of the Office of Digital Opportunity, Christina Strickland as chief deputy general counsel, and Dana Lee as deputy general counsel. The division was created in May 2021 to expand access to high-speed internet, computers and digital skills to all North Carolinians.
“We’re excited to have Maggie, Christina and Dana step into these roles to further advance our initiatives and ensure all North Carolinians can thrive in today’s digital world,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity Annette Taylor. “Their extensive work as civic leaders will help drive our efforts to create a more connected and prosperous state.”
As director of the Office of Digital Opportunity, Maggie Woods is responsible for overseeing the division’s $50 million in economic development efforts to ensure North Carolinians have the skills and technology needed to compete for jobs. During Woods’ previous service as deputy director for the office, she helped stand up a series of grant programs that provide computers and digital literacy resources through 74 grantees. She was also instrumental in creating the nation’s first statewide digital support program by partnering with NC 211/United Way of North Carolina to provide free assistance by phone and collaborating with community organizations to launch the Tech Resource Finder website to provide free access to local services that offer help using the internet, public computers, Wi-Fi, and digital classes. Prior to that, Woods was policy and program manager at the Institute for Emerging Issues and served as director of its BAND-NC digital opportunity program. She received her master’s degree in public policy from Duke University.
Christina Strickland joined NCDIT in June 2025 as chief deputy general counsel for the department and general counsel for the division. She will provide legal guidance for all programs, including the $1.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program that will expand high-speed internet access to homes and businesses across the state. Strickland brings a wealth of legal knowledge, having previously served as legal counsel for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Information Technology and general counsel for the North Carolina Retirement Systems within the N.C. Department of State Treasurer’s Office. She has also worked on a wide variety of legal matters as a senior attorney advising the Public Health Division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She received her bachelor’s degree with distinction and honors in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill and her juris doctor from Duke University School of Law.
Dana Lee joined NCDIT in March 2025 as the division’s deputy general counsel. In this role, she has finalized contracts between counties, internet service providers and NCDIT for more than $255 million in high-speed internet projects that will connect nearly 70,000 North Carolina homes and businesses in 83 counties. Lee previously provided a full range of legal services in her roles as assistant general counsel at the N.C. Office of the State Auditor and assistant attorney general at the N.C. Department of Justice, serving N.C. Medicaid. Lee received her bachelor’s degree in English literature and linguistics from Sogang University, her juris doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law, and her master of laws from George Washington University Law School.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, please visit ncbroadband.gov.