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
Dave Rizzo, Co-Chair
Chief Talent Officer, Deloitte US
Ralphine Caldwell
Executive Director - LISC
Laura Yates Clark
President - Foundation for the Carolinas
Kim Henderson
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer
-Novant Health
-Novant Health
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
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
Grace Nystrum
Senior Vice President -
Bank of America, Charlotte Market Executive
Bank of America, Charlotte Market Executive
Matthew Ridenhour
Manager, Third-Party Risk Brightspeed
Mike Rizer
Executive Director, Corporate Affairs - Ally Financial
Winston Robinson
Executive Director-
Applesauce Group
Applesauce Group
Kathryn Firmin-Sellers
President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlotte.
Anna London
CEO & President. Charlotte Works.
Dr. Sharon Gaber
Chancellor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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