Local Government Leadership

UNC School of Government ⯈ Workshop

A blue slide from a presentation by the UNC School of Government, Center for Public Leadership and Governance. The slide's title, "Leading With and Through: Harness the Power of Public Participation," is written in white text against a light blue banner. The UNC logo is on the left side of the banner. A faint, dark blue outline of a government building is visible in the background.

This course, which I was invited to develop, offers valuable insights and practical tools for local government staff and officials seeking to build stronger relationships with their communities. Participants explore collaborative approaches to foster trust, improve communication, and create a greater sense of shared purpose.

Seeding Connection in Coastal NC

Line drawing illustrating a community-based approach. The title at the top is "Eastern Carteret County." The image is divided into three parts: on the left, an easel and a list of bullet points with the text "Train, Coach & Advise." In the center, a group of diverse, colorful stick figures representing people. On the right, a laptop computer with the text "Develop Support Systems."

A story of quiet leadership and complex systems. In a coastal North Carolina community shaped by deep pride and layered trauma, I helped seed conditions for connection, healing, and change - by holding a container, honoring resistance, and working gently at the edges of what could be spoken.

UNC School of Government ⯈ Speaker

A presentation slide with a blurred, slightly faded photo of a building from the UNC School of Government in the background. The text "Trauma Awareness (it's a thing)" is overlaid in a large, bold font. Below that, in smaller, gray text, is "UNC School of Government."

Following an on-campus shooting at the University, I, along with colleagues Ann DuPre Rogers and Kim Wright, was invited to speak with faculty, staff, and MPA students about the need for trauma awareness in the local government profession.