Anika Horn

Ecosystem Builder for Social Change, Lead Storyteller at Zebras Unite

Mark A. Lawrence

Paulo Gregory

Inventor of Cohado and Founding CEO of COHADO, inc and Cohado Consulting

Pave LaPere

I'm the Founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer of EcoMap Technologies, Inc. I'm passionate about helping people become entrepreneurs and building equitable and accessible entrepreneurial ecosystems. In addition to my work with EcoMap, I also founded the Accelerators at Johns Hopkins University and work to support student entrepreneurs across the state of Maryland through my work with Innov8MD.

Philip Gaskin

Philip Gaskin is vice president of Entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he is responsible for leading the Kauffman Foundation’s efforts to build an economy that works for all people by making entrepreneurship an integral component of economic development policies, practices, and programs. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Gaskin was chief operating officer for Impact Hub in the U.S., where he led organization-wide initiatives to develop and scale a social innovation marketplace to support entrepreneurs and impact investors to build sustainable businesses that drive long-term social and environmental change. He served as lead partner to Impact Hub’s global association to promote interorganizational alignment, shape global business strategy, and advance strategic efforts in developing regions of the world – including Africa and Latin America.

Andy Stoll

Krista Covey

Justin Minott

Justin is a talented Durham-based impact amplifier, business coach, community Builder, and entrepreneur dedicated to championing the region's Black entrepreneurial community.

Tom Chapman

Tom Chapman is regarded as one of the leading entrepreneurial ecosystem leaders in the world. He has particular expertise in measuring and creating metrics for entrepreneurial ecosystems. His work has been referenced, cited, and quoted in numerous publications around the world, and he is an active speaker on entrepreneurial ecosystems and their importance. Beyond his work for Chapman and Company, Tom helped grow Beehive Industries (a Lincoln based government technology company), Nebraska Global (a Lincoln based funding organization), and is an alum of Enron and American Electric Power in the energy industry. Tom has both a J.D. and an M.B.A from the University of Nebraska and undergraduate liberal arts degrees from Creighton University.

Fay Horwitt

Fay serves as the President of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational strategy and serves as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. In addition, Fay is a dedicated advocate for the emerging profession of ecosystem building, and as a founding member of Ecosystems Unite. Beyond her formal roles, she is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Never one to be content with status quo, Fay has also recently begun addressing a new need in local communities: ecosystem healing–helping pivot ecosystems and institutions in this time of the dual COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice pandemics.

Anika Horn

Ecosystem Builder for Social Change, Lead Storyteller at Zebras Unite

Jessica Edwards

Debbie Irwin

Jess Porta

Jess Porta is a social architect who works to connect people to the resources they need to be successful. Her passion for helping others started in her work with human rights and has grown with experience in supporting entrepreneurs and innovators who are looking to leave the world better than they found it.

Clark Rinehart

Mel Wright

Mel is the founder of The Wright Village, an incubator enterprise for Black entrepreneurs and other underserved communities. TWV was established to unify and foster a community of ambitious entrepreneurs from disenfranchised communities across America looking to hone their skills to pursue growth.

Garry Lyon

As the Director of Programs at the American Underground, Garry leads the strategic vision, curation , and execution of programs for members.

Henry McKoy

Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is the lead entrepreneurship faculty and Director of Entrepreneurship at NC Central University in the School of Business. He is also on the faculty of the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he is Professor of Practice in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. In addition, he teaches in Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and is part of the faculty of Duke’s Executive Leadership Institute where he teaches on Public-Private Partnerships. Dr. McKoy has been a Fellow of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as an Aspen Institute Scholar. He currently has an appointment at Harvard University Kennedy School’s Ash Center, where he is an Associate Fellow of Municipal Innovation, and leads the effort to launch a national network of economically inclusive and equitable cities.

Allan Younger

Allan is the Senior Director of Programs at NC IDEA where he leads the Foundation’s programmatic priorities and partnerships. He oversees program development and management for all entrepreneur programming; including the Foundation’s NC IDEA LABS customer discovery curriculum, programmatic support for NC IDEA MICRO grant recipients and deployment of the Ice House curriculum through NC IDEA MINDSET. Prior to NC IDEA, Allan served as the Director of the Small Business Center at Forsyth Technical Community College located in Winston-Salem, NC where he was responsible for strengthening operations and services, enhancing support to small businesses and providing community advocacy.

Stacey Williams

Dr. Williams brings nearly 15 years of public health research experience and training to the Department of Research and Evaluation. With an eye towards the social determinants of health, she uses public health concepts to produce evidence on systemic inequities. Through the use of existing data and primary data collection tools, she works with the team to generate actionable information for informing local efforts to increase equity in opportunities. She completed her graduate training at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health. In her free time, Stacey enjoys tending to her flower garden, nature photography, and ancestry research.

Jon Fjeld

Jon Fjeld has been teaching entrepreneurship and strategy, and leading the entrepreneurship efforts at Fuqua since 2005.

Before returning to academia, he spent over twenty years in marketing, engineering and general management in start-ups and public companies.

From December, 2000, until July, 2004, he served as vice president of engineering for Align Technology in Santa Clara, CA. Between 1995 and 2000, he served as CEO of two RTP venture backed firms: Geomagic, a 3D software company and NetEdge Systems, a data networking equipment company. Prior to that, Fjeld spent 13 years at IBM, where he served in a number of management and executive positions within the networking and software business units. He began his professional career as an assistant professor in the philosophy department at Duke University.

Fjeld holds a Ph.D. and MA in philosophy from the University of Toronto, an MBA from Duke University, an MS in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BA in mathematics and philosophy from Bishop's University.

Fay Horwitt

Fay serves as the President of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational strategy and serves as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. In addition, Fay is a dedicated advocate for the emerging profession of ecosystem building, and as a founding member of Ecosystems Unite. Beyond her formal roles, she is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Never one to be content with status quo, Fay has also recently begun addressing a new need in local communities: ecosystem healing–helping pivot ecosystems and institutions in this time of the dual COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice pandemics.

Anika Horn

Ecosystem Builder for Social Change, Lead Storyteller at Zebras Unite

Krista Covey

Justin Minott

Justin is a talented Durham-based impact amplifier, business coach, community Builder, and entrepreneur dedicated to championing the region's Black entrepreneurial community.

Mark A. Lawrence

Thom Ruhe

CEO of NC IDEA, Board UNC Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Governors Entrepreneurship Council, avid Fisherman and lover of everything outdoors. Son, Husband (32 years), Father, and Brother.

Talib Graves-Manns

Serial impact entrepreneur driven to create equitable communities. Former Google Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Co-Founder of CDFI-backed HBCU Entrepreneurship Center, Knox Street Studios, and Black Wall Street Homecoming.

Cecilia Wessinger

Cecilia Wessinger is the Director for Global Community at the Global Entrepreneurship Network. She serves as the primary interface between GEN and its leadership teams in nations around the world as they seek to nurture more robust ecosystems and build GEN’s brand and presence in those economies. Prior to joining GEN, Wessinger was a consultant with the Kauffman Foundation, Future Agro Challenge and has led small group mastermind workshops and cohorts around the world. She has extensive experience mentoring and advising startup founders, ecosystem builders and organizations. Wessinger has served as a speaker, facilitator and panelist at innovation- and entrepreneurship-focused events such as Shift, Tom-Tom Festival and ESHIP Summit. She has judged and supported pitch competitions for SXSW, U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of State's Global Innovation through Science and Technology program. She currently serves on the board of the Institute for Work and the Economy and executive board of Startup Champions Network. She is a former travel industry professional who has lived, worked and traveled throughout the world.

Anika Horn

Ecosystem Builder for Social Change, Lead Storyteller at Zebras Unite

Julie Heath

Heather McDougall

Ben Redding

After having the good fortune of working with great teams as a CFO, in private equity, and for software startups, I’m now the Chief Financial Officer at NC IDEA where I oversee the day-to-day management of the Foundation’s financial activities. I also manage the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant program working with partners throughout the state who share in our vision to maximize the economic potential of the people of North Carolina.

Justin Sosne

Justin is a senior executive with a passion for creating opportunity for and improving the lives of others. He has a diverse background in public and private sector leadership experience in developing innovative partnerships, driving large-scale organizational change and growth, and achieving concrete, measurable results.

Anjanette Miller

Anjanette is the Executive Director of Audacity Labs, democratizing entrepreneurship for teens in Durham through exposure, exploration and implementation. She is also the founder of ASNC, an educational advocacy consulting service aimed at eliminating barriers for youth to access higher ed. Prior to moving to Durham in 2019, she founded and led Academic Solutions: an education center providing concierge-style programs and services and amplifying relationships between private and public organizations to maximize resources for under-resourced youth in the community.

Brett Brenton

As Senior Director of Learning Networks, Brett coordinates the ESHIP Communities engagements and oversees the expanded learning work that centers the partnership. He also helps to ensure that the practices of Forward Cities and that of it’s partners is properly disseminated to people committed to advancing the craft of building equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Brett is drawn to the idea that we can solve for major systemic issues in America through impact at the granular level. Brett spent thirteen years in public education before starting a diversity-focused, STEM-themed career development non-profit for the Research Triangle Foundation. This led to other opportunities in program design and implementation, stakeholder engagement, and small business tenant recruitment at The Frontier RTP. Brett loves hitting the local trails on his mountain bike as an active way to appreciate the beauty of North Carolina.

Fay Horwitt

Fay serves as the President of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational strategy and serves as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. In addition, Fay is a dedicated advocate for the emerging profession of ecosystem building, and as a founding member of Ecosystems Unite. Beyond her formal roles, she is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Never one to be content with status quo, Fay has also recently begun addressing a new need in local communities: ecosystem healing–helping pivot ecosystems and institutions in this time of the dual COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice pandemics.

Ariel Powell

Fay Horwitt

Fay serves as the President of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational strategy and serves as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. In addition, Fay is a dedicated advocate for the emerging profession of ecosystem building, and as a founding member of Ecosystems Unite. Beyond her formal roles, she is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Never one to be content with status quo, Fay has also recently begun addressing a new need in local communities: ecosystem healing–helping pivot ecosystems and institutions in this time of the dual COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice pandemics.

Michelle Benham

Michelle's background in marketing, media, science, and organizational development led her to create award-winning content and campaigns for nonprofits, federal and local government agencies, and the private sector. Prior to Forward Cities, Michelle led the marketing and communications team at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, an internationally renowned program of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Previously, she led efforts at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Discovery Learning Alliance, and Discovery Communications. Michelle is an alumna of the esteemed Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program, and was a founding board member of the Conservation Leadership in the Caribbean fellowship—a capacity-building, networking, and leadership development program for emerging leaders in climate science and wildlife conservation in the wider Caribbean region. Michelle holds an M.F.A. in Film & Media from the School of Communication at American University and a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. She and her family are proud Durham residents with deep affection for the Eno River.

LaTasha Best-Gaddy

La-Tasha Best-Gaddy is a City Director with Walkers Legacy. She is also a Business Counselor with Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) on the campus of NC Central University. La-Tasha has over 20 years of experience in the Accounting, Insurance, Financial Services, and Non-Profit Industry Sectors. She is a guest instructor at various North Carolina Community College Small Business Centers. She is the Chief Strategist of Infinity Bridges, Inc, a consulting firm that specialises in general accounting, training and strategic facilitation. She is the owner of several real estate rental properties in Sampson, Roberson and Durham Counties. She is the mother of two teenage business owners.



La-Tasha received several curriculum certifications and is a continuous learner. She is currently pursuing Economic Development Finance Professional Certification and Leadership Enhancement & Development Certificate.She holds graduate (MPA) and undergraduate ( BBA Finance) from North Carolina Central University. She has a certificate from The College of Insurance in New York. She is a graduate of the NC Rural Economic Development Institute, Leadership North Carolina and Leadership Triangle (a Goodman Fellow). She has recently received the 2019 SDG Honors Award sponsored by AgroBiz.

Brett Brenton

As Senior Director of Learning Networks, Brett coordinates the ESHIP Communities engagements and oversees the expanded learning work that centers the partnership. He also helps to ensure that the practices of Forward Cities and that of it’s partners is properly disseminated to people committed to advancing the craft of building equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Brett is drawn to the idea that we can solve for major systemic issues in America through impact at the granular level. Brett spent thirteen years in public education before starting a diversity-focused, STEM-themed career development non-profit for the Research Triangle Foundation. This led to other opportunities in program design and implementation, stakeholder engagement, and small business tenant recruitment at The Frontier RTP. Brett loves hitting the local trails on his mountain bike as an active way to appreciate the beauty of North Carolina.

Lee Gray

Andre Pettigrew

Andre Pettigrew is a senior executive, business strategist and economic development professional with more than 15 years of experience developing and managing complex multifaceted organizations. He has been the accountable and responsible executive for achieving organizational success in dynamic and sometimes contentious business environments. He’s held the positions of chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, executive director and consultant. He’s a former entrepreneur and has worked in the private equity industry.

He is currently the Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development for the City of Durham, North Carolina. He is the former executive director of Clean Economy Solutions a national non-profit whose mission is to accelerate the growth of sustainability and clean energy in the US. He is an accomplished civic leader having worked as the executive director of the Office of Economic Development for the City and County of Denver and Vice President of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. He is an experienced public servant having served as chief operating officer of Denver Public Schools and chief administrative officer of the State of Colorado.

Stacey Williams

Dr. Williams brings nearly 15 years of public health research experience and training to the Department of Research and Evaluation. With an eye towards the social determinants of health, she uses public health concepts to produce evidence on systemic inequities. Through the use of existing data and primary data collection tools, she works with the team to generate actionable information for informing local efforts to increase equity in opportunities. She completed her graduate training at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health. In her free time, Stacey enjoys tending to her flower garden, nature photography, and ancestry research.

Pave LaPere

I'm the Founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer of EcoMap Technologies, Inc. I'm passionate about helping people become entrepreneurs and building equitable and accessible entrepreneurial ecosystems. In addition to my work with EcoMap, I also founded the Accelerators at Johns Hopkins University and work to support student entrepreneurs across the state of Maryland through my work with Innov8MD.

Sherrod Davis

Leslie Jump

Lindsay Schuenke

Pave LaPere

I'm the Founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer of EcoMap Technologies, Inc. I'm passionate about helping people become entrepreneurs and building equitable and accessible entrepreneurial ecosystems. In addition to my work with EcoMap, I also founded the Accelerators at Johns Hopkins University and work to support student entrepreneurs across the state of Maryland through my work with Innov8MD.

Leslie Jump

Sherrod Davis

Mark A. Lawrence

Edgar Villanueva

Edgar is a globally-recognized author, activist and expert on social justice philanthropy. Edgar is author of the best selling book, Decolonizing Wealth, and is founder and principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital.

Fay Horwitt

Fay serves as the President of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational strategy and serves as the executive lead of the ESHIP Communities initiative. In addition, Fay is a dedicated advocate for the emerging profession of ecosystem building, and as a founding member of Ecosystems Unite. Beyond her formal roles, she is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Never one to be content with status quo, Fay has also recently begun addressing a new need in local communities: ecosystem healing–helping pivot ecosystems and institutions in this time of the dual COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice pandemics.

Michelle Benham

Michelle's background in marketing, media, science, and organizational development led her to create award-winning content and campaigns for nonprofits, federal and local government agencies, and the private sector. Prior to Forward Cities, Michelle led the marketing and communications team at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, an internationally renowned program of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Previously, she led efforts at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Discovery Learning Alliance, and Discovery Communications. Michelle is an alumna of the esteemed Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program, and was a founding board member of the Conservation Leadership in the Caribbean fellowship—a capacity-building, networking, and leadership development program for emerging leaders in climate science and wildlife conservation in the wider Caribbean region. Michelle holds an M.F.A. in Film & Media from the School of Communication at American University and a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. She and her family are proud Durham residents with deep affection for the Eno River.

Deryle Daniels

Deryle Daniels is the Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications with Forward Cities. He has over 10 years of experience in the fields of marketing, communications, and fundraising with universities, community organizations, small businesses, startups, and major corporations. In addition to Forward Cities, he uses Daniels Development & Branding, LLC to help small nonprofits and small businesses reach their target markets without breaking the bank.