Sector leadership is core to our work in leading North Carolina’s collaborative community economic development efforts, driving innovation, investment, and action to create prosperous, sustainable communities.
The Initiative connects community economic development leaders with the financial and human resources, training, and networks they need to better serve their communities. Through cross-sector collaborations with groups that include the conservation sector, we are leading discussions about how best to support communities in sustainable, inclusive development. We work on the ground with local governments, nonprofits, and investors to transform individual communities in North Carolina through strategic investments and collaboration.
Since 2008, the Initiative’s Summer Youth Leadership program has offered leadership development programming and mentorship for rising high school seniors who might not have otherwise have access to this resource, specifically youth living in our state’s most economically disadvantaged counties, young women, and minorities.