NC Growth has selected a new group of Kenan Institute Economic Development Analysts (KIEDAs), graduate students who work on projects with businesses and community partners in rural NC. Eleven new KIEDAs joined the team from Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC Department of City and Regional Planning, UNC Public Administration as well as East Carolina University and North Carolina Central University. The students have a wide range of previous work experience and interests but all share a common passion for sustainable community development and entrepreneurship. The new KIEDAs join four returning student analysts and attend weekly group meetings to familiarize themselves with NC Growth’s work and relevant economic trends. New analysts have the opportunity to join ongoing projects, and they participate in site visits to meet with partners. NC Growth staff are already in the process of matching our KIEDAs with spring projects!
David Ball (UNC MBA) joined Peace Corps in Nicaragua after graduating from the University of Michigan. Post Peace Corps, David managed the economic development portfolio for FHI 360’s USAID funded economic development project. Most recently, David was working with Major League Baseball in the Dominican Republic to develop a study that will evaluate the impact of MLB’s investments in education on Latin American players’ development.
Clayton Doolittle (UNC MBA) is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Building Construction. Prior to attending UNC, Clayton worked for a general contractor in the Washington DC area. During his time there he was promoted to project manager and was responsible for the management and success of various commercial construction projects.
Emily Edmonds (UNC MPA) focuses her research on regional economic development in rural and low-income areas and food systems. She has worked in the local government and nonprofit fields for over ten years, and graduated from Western Carolina University with a Special Studies degree in political philosophy, economics, and political science.
Thomas Frere (UNC MBA) graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Geographic Science and Environmental Studies. After graduation, Thomas taught elementary special education in Washington, DC and worked as an Assistant Manager responsible for guest service and front-end operations at Target.
Drew Haley (UNC MBA) graduated from Appalachian State University in 2008 with a major in Banking & Finance. He began his career in BB&T’s Leadership Development Program in the spring of 2008 and served in various commercial banking roles as a Banking Officer and Assistant Vice President.
Fumihiro Kawasaki (UNC MBA) graduated from Waseda University in 2005 with a B.A. in Law. After graduating, Fumihiro worked for Mizuho FG, one of the largest financial groups in Japan. He served as a Relationship Manager for two years and as an alternative investment manager for seven years. As a manager, he invested in Hedge Funds, securitized products, equity and corporate debt. He spent the last two years in the division as head of US corporate credit, supervising economic research and portfolio management.
Meisha McDaniel (UNC MBA/City and Regional Planning) worked within the nonprofit sector for several years, specializing in diverse topics such as, rural community development, food security, climate change mitigation, and grant-making. She also works for the Development Finance Institute at the UNC School of Government.
Ferdinand Rouse (ECU MBA) graduated from UNC-Charlotte and held jobs there for the Campus Activities Board and Niner’s on the Weekend. Shortly after these opportunities Ferdinand worked with the non-profit Health Guidance and helped them develop their current business plan.
Christina Thomas (NCCU JD/MBA) is a graduate from Winston Salem State University with a degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Upon graduating from WSSU she worked as an Operations Supervisor at a construction firm in Baltimore. She has partnered with NCCU in developing Teens in Transition, an organization that promotes education and financial literacy to teens awaiting trial at the Durham County Youth Home.
Andrew Trump (UNC MPA/City and Regional Planning) focuses his graduate work on economic development, organizational management, and community building. Prior to graduate school, Andrew worked with nonprofit organizations that facilitated basic education, workforce development, and civic leadership training for adults.