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

Clarence D. Armbrister

President - Johnson C. Smith University

Ralphine Caldwell

Executive Director - LISC

Laura Yates Clark

President & CEO - United Way of Greater Charlotte

Dr. Kinneil Coltman

Senior Vice President and Chief Community & Social Impact Officer - Atrium Health

Matthew Ridenhour

Senior Manager, Third-Party Risk - ACA Global

Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer

President - Central Piedmont Community College

Dena Diorio

County Manager - Mecklenburg County Government

Dr. Crystal Hill

Interim Superintendent Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Danielle Frazier

Executive Director - Charlotte Works

Dr. Sharon L. Gaber

Chancellor - University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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

Laura Smith

Interim CEO - Foundation For The Carolinas

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

Douglas A. Hicks

President - Davidson College

Dave Rizzo

Chief Talent & Responsibility Officer - Deloitte LLP

Winston Robinson

Executive Director-
Applesauce Group

Council Emeritus

In Memoriam:
Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown,

Dee O'Dell

Dee O'Dell

Executive Vice President, Head of Business Banking Sales-
U.S. Bank