Speaker Julie White, Executive Director and Lobbyist of the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, kicked off July’s Raleigh Mastermind Meeting. Julie focused on regionalism as a solution to North Carolina’s current urban and rural divide. Regionalism looks at strategically creating 7-8 regional economic hubs across the state—then making connections, improving infrastructure and supporting urban center job growth to support the entire region; this approach strengthens both urban and rural areas simultaneously.

Pictured above (left to right): John Fugo, Ches McDowell and Julie White