IEI Celebrates 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative Graduates

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University is pleased to announce the graduation of the 2025 class from the Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative (SWLI), a professional development program for leaders in workforce and economic development. The program was held April 29–May 2, 2025, at NC State University’s James B. Hunt Jr. Library.

“Developing a regional skilled workforce requires well-informed leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed today while preparing them for what may come tomorrow,” said IEI Director and Workforce Leadership Institute Board Member Sarah Hall.

Presented by the Workforce Leadership Institute, the SWLI equips professionals with the strategic insights and leadership skills needed to understand the economic conditions of their community and state, and leverage those strengths to capitalize on opportunities as they emerge. The program prepares graduates for careers as workforce board directors, strategic workforce planners, economic developers, educational leaders, employer consultants and more. Upon completion, graduates earn the Strategic Workforce Leader Certificate, issued by the Workforce Leadership Institute.

“The SWLI was an invaluable professional development experience,” said Southwestern Commission Workforce Development Director David Garett. “The training has reinforced my commitment to building a more resilient and opportunity-rich workforce system in our region. I highly recommend this program to fellow workforce professionals who are ready to elevate their leadership and make a lasting impact.”

During the program, graduates participated in several sessions covering topics like:

• Understanding how economists evaluate “talent” issues
• Developing strategies to build a skilled workforce system
• Navigating the public policy process and its impact on workforce and education initiatives
• Exploring funding sources for skill development
• Analyzing workforce data sets and metrics
• Identifying community action dynamics and the role of formal boards and task forces

The SWLI was an invaluable professional development experience.

The program featured guest speakers from 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, NC State University, Walden Economic Consulting, Wichita State University and more.

The 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative graduates are:

• 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

Considering workforce needs is an annual focus of the Emerging Issues Forum. To learn more about the Emerging Issues Forum, visit emergingissues.org.

About the Institute for Emerging Issues
The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University is a public policy think tank and nonpartisan connector, bringing North Carolinians together to find solutions to the state’s emerging and most critical policy issues.