Guiding our journey
Our Council
Our Council reflects our Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Their experiences and wisdom are coupled with a deep commitment to take bold action to improve economic mobility for all while governing our work.
Miriam Espaillat, Co-Chair
Director of Community Engagement – Raydal Hospitality LLC
Mike Rizer, Co-Chair
Executive Director, Corporate Affairs – Ally Financial
Cathy Bessant
President & CEO - Foundation for the Carolinas
Ralphine Caldwell
Executive Director - LISC
Laura Yates Clark
President & CEO - United Way of Greater Charlotte
Brian Collier
President - Gambrell Foundation
Dr. Kinneil Coltman
Executive Vice President, Chief Community & Social Impact Officer - Advocate Health
Dena Diorio
County Manager
Mecklenburg County Government
Mecklenburg County Government
Danielle Frazier
Special Assistant to the City Manager, Workforce Development -
City of Charlotte
City of Charlotte
Kim Henderson
Executive Vice President -Novant Health
Dr. Crystal Hill
Superintendent
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Dr. Devonya Govan-Hunt
CEO & Master Trainer - Govan-Hunt Staff Development, LLC & Critical Curriculum Consulting
Marcus Jones
City Manager - City of Charlotte
Rob Kelly
President & CEO - FORCLT
Daniel Lugo
President - Queens University
Valecia McDowell
Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations - Moore & Van Allen
Ebony A. Thomas
President, Bank of America Foundation and Racial Equality and Economic Opportunity Executive
Matthew Ridenhour
Manager, Third-Party Risk Brightspeed
Dave Rizzo
Chief Talent & Responsibility Officer - Deloitte LLP
Winston Robinson
Executive Director-
Applesauce Group
Applesauce Group
Council Emeritus
In Memoriam:
Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown
Dee O'Dell
Executive Vice President, Head of Business Banking Sales-
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank
