Raleigh, N.C. – The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University has announced the graduation of the 2025 class of the Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative (SWLI). This professional development program is designed to strengthen leadership in workforce and economic development across North Carolina. The 2025 cohort completed the program April 29–May 2 at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on NC State’s campus.

Organized by the Workforce Leadership Institute, SWLI provides participants with the tools and knowledge to analyze regional economic trends, understand workforce dynamics, and lead efforts to create stronger, more inclusive workforce systems. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates earn the Strategic Workforce Leader Certificate, signaling their preparedness to lead in roles such as workforce board directors, strategic planners, educational leaders, and employer engagement professionals.

The program includes in-depth sessions on a wide range of critical topics, including:

• Assessing talent-related economic trends

• Designing strategies to build skilled workforce systems

• Understanding the impact of public policy on workforce and education

• Identifying and utilizing funding sources for skills development

• Leveraging labor market data and workforce metrics

• Exploring the role of boards, task forces, and community action in workforce planning

The 2025 SWLI experience featured presentations and insights from leaders and practitioners representing organizations such as Accenture, Lightcast, Social Finance, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the NC Association of Workforce Development Boards, the NC Department of Commerce, NCWorks Commission, Walden Economic Consulting, Wichita State University, and NC State University.

Participants engaged in collaborative workshops, data analysis exercises, and leadership development sessions that enhanced their ability to respond to workforce challenges and seize emerging opportunities. The program emphasized system-level thinking and cross-sector collaboration to help leaders drive regional economic resilience and inclusive growth.

2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative Graduates

• Faith Barlett, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, Kernersville

• Sarah Bennett, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, Kernersville

• Kristy Brinson, NC Dept. of Health and Human Services, Raleigh

• Cameron Cochran, Wilson Forward, Wilson

• Wiletta Cummings, NC Dept. of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division, Raleigh

• David Garrett, Southwestern Commission, Sylva

• Arva Gathers, Capital Area Workforce Development, Raleigh

• Courtland Gingles, NCWorks Career Center, Raleigh

• Sonja Godsey, NC Dept. of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division, Raleigh

• Samantha Graham, Institute for Emerging Issues, Raleigh

• Monica Gramling, NCWorks Centralina, Wadesboro

• Rosemary Guendner, Cape Fear Workforce Development Board, Wilmington

• DeWarren Langley, Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Inc., Durham

• Natalie Mabon, Capital Area Workforce Development, Raleigh

• Susan Oney, Front Porch Consulting LLC, Clayton

• Shaheedah Ross, City Startup Labs Inc., Charlotte

• Brittany Sinka, NC Dept. of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division, Raleigh

• Matthew Strobl, Trailhead Advisory LLC, Apex

• Davina Thrash, Institute for Emerging Issues, Raleigh

• Linda Whipker, The Forge Initiative, Cary

• Sarah Wright, NC State University, Raleigh

The Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative supports IEI’s broader mission to bring North Carolinians together to address the state’s most pressing and emerging challenges. Workforce development remains a key focus of this work, especially through platforms like the Emerging Issues Forum, which each year highlights timely topics such as talent development, economic resilience, and equitable opportunity.

About the Institute for Emerging Issues

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University is a nonpartisan public policy organization that connects people across sectors, regions, and ideologies to address critical challenges facing North Carolina. Through initiatives like SWLI, IEI helps build leadership capacity and strengthen community responses to evolving workforce needs.

To learn more about IEI’s workforce initiatives and the Emerging Issues Forum, visit Institute for Emerging Issues.