Lunch & Learn - The State of Raleigh and Economic Growth

150 Fayetteville Street,Raleigh NC 27601

25 January, 2023

Description

Lunch & Learn with one of our Board of Governors and President & CEO of the Raleigh Chamber, Adrienne Cole & Michael Haley, the Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and the Senior Vice President of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. The topic to be discussed is "The State of Raleigh and Economic Growth". 11:30 AM - 12 PM: Networking 12 PM: Lunch & Learn begins $65 | includes: two-course lunch, coffee & tea & the learning experience Introducing our speakers: Adrienne Cole is the president and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber and leads the Triangle’s largest business membership organization representing two-thirds of the private sector employment in Wake County. In this role, Adrienne and her team support the interests of the local business community while building a thriving regional economy, enhancing the community’s quality of life, and strengthening member businesses. Adrienne’s core focus areas are economic development, diversity, equity and inclusivity, government affairs, transportation, workforce development, talent, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and supporting small business. Adrienne is a graduate of Meredith College and received a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University. Adrienne serves on numerous boards including the Triangle YMCA and Board Development Committee, the Meredith College Board of Trustees and chairs the Business and Finance Committee, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance Board of Directors, City Club Raleigh Board of Governors, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum and the Watauga Club. Adrienne has been the recipient of the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award and CEO of the Year award. She has also been recognized by Business NC as a Top 100 Influencer in North Carolina and in their Power 100 list. Adrienne and her husband Walt live in Raleigh and have three children. Michael Haley is the Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and the Senior Vice President of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Wake County Economic Development – a program of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce – is the lead economic development agency for Wake County and the City of Raleigh. Michael leads WCED’s business recruitment, retention, and expansion; marketing and public relations; talent recruitment; and support of entrepreneurship. Prior to his current role, Michael served as the Director of Business Recruitment and Expansion for WCED. Prior to joining WCED, Michael served as a Public Policy Analyst and then the Public Policy Director for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Michael was named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America in 2019 by Consultant Connect and the North Carolina Economic Developer of the Year for 2018 by the NC Economic Development Association.