Entrepreneur. Educator. Public servant. Nonprofit executive. Corporate leader. During my career, I’ve held all of these roles. The industries in which I have delivered value are just as diverse—energy, state government, nonprofit, small business development/financial and higher education. The common thread throughout my roles is my commitment to affecting meaningful community change, as well as organizational performance and success. I bring a deep understanding and appreciation of ESG principles and practices to board service, a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion [DE&I] initiatives, and financial stewardship and budgeting best practices.

Earlier in my career, I served as Special Assistant to the Governor of North Carolina. Later, I completed three terms as a member of the city council of Durham, North Carolina. During that time, I saved the city approximately $30M. I later returned to the Governor’s office, adding value as his Chief of Staff.

My passion for advocating for the local business community is apparent in the success of my endeavors at the Small Business Administration [SBA], the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, and the Civitas Institute. At the SBA, I helped connect small business owners with capital to support economic development, and at the Civitas Institute, I advocated for policies to improve the local economy. Private enterprise is the backbone of the economy; through my work at the Kenan Institute, I improved the entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem, contributing to North Carolina’s reputation as a hub of innovation.

I have worked extensively with public and private-sector organizations to promote DE&I efforts and won Progress Energy’s esteemed Pinnacle Award for my accomplishments. I also won the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council and the Florida Minority Council Corporation of the Year awards on behalf of Progress. As President of the North Carolina Community College System, I led the organization in making an unprecedented number of diverse hires in a single year.