People, their passion for the products and services they create, and the customers who depend on them are what build community. Western North Carolina has exemplified community, especially in recent years, as it continues to rebuild itself after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. But rebuilding is only the beginning. 

WNC Leadership Alliance (WNCLA) was founded on the premise that a thriving community doesn’t just happen. Rather, it’s the result of people with a clear vision and the determination to see it through. There is no picking up from where we had left off before the storm hit. Helene changed WNC, not just materially, but emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually as well. We are different because of it. We are closer, more resilient, and more aware of both our strengths and vulnerabilities. According to Ginger Frank, founder of Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, “We’ve all been struggling since the hurricane for all kinds of different reasons. There’s a perception that it was so long ago, but from a business perspective, from a financial perspective, it’s still very relevant. And we’re still feeling the impact of that storm on our business.” 

WNCLA is a community of owners, directors, decision-makers, and leaders who believe wholeheartedly that the people of Western North Carolina have the talent, ingenuity, and resilience to build and sustain a community where businesses and careers can thrive. David Riddell, owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, sees the culture of WNC as being unique. “There’s something about this area that makes you feel different,” he said. “Knowing and understanding the players here matters. When Helene happened, the ability to connect mattered even more. Connection is key to leadership. It can come from the most uncommon places, and you have to be ready for it.”

While this region has proven its ability to rebuild and reinvent itself, strong leadership is needed to carry momentum forward. Tony Morris, Grandmaster at Sun Soo Martial Arts, views leadership as facilitating movement in people. “This can happen in different ways,” he explains. “The most sustainable way is when people move themselves. It’s super helpful for that movement to be facilitated by leaders who can stimulate people to see possibilities.”

Jennifer Maneely, founder of The Recovering Family, observed that the benefit of such leadership means “having people really see who they are, all they are, and building their confidence to live up to their highest potential. It means knowing that people can do the complicated tasks at hand and perform at levels that perhaps they may not think they can, but the leader knows they can.”

WNC Business Alliance focuses on five key areas that help leaders to lead better through:

A Shared Vision

Defining and holding a space for WNC’s future enables steady movement toward its realization. Carrie Jordan Myers, founder of Be the Spark Movement, describes this constructive approach to leadership as “taking charge of a situation and expressing goals in a precise and clear manner.” Even with the overwhelming struggle of recovery, a new direction can be forged. 

Louise Bijesse, founder of UpTalent Consulting & Search, believes that all experiences, present and past, help guide us to where we want to go. “Just because you find yourself heading down a certain path doesn’t mean you can’t make a change and pivot in another direction,” she said. A simple shift in perspective can be the catalyst for a new beginning. 

Skills Development

WNCLA equips leaders with the ability to guide people toward higher performance and success. Faculty members include Louise Bijesse, Lindsay Coward, Carrie Jordan Myers, Adam Knapp, E.G. Sebastian, and Linda Ruhland. Through a curriculum built around leadership training and development, they focus on education that is local, relevant, and accessible. Instructor Lindsay Coward, founder of Yoga Nut Worksite Wellness, affirms that “bringing a local approach to leadership addresses the challenges and unique aspects of business organizations here in Western North Carolina.”

Peer Support

Collaboration helps leaders to solve problems, spark new ideas, and inspire new ways of thinking. WNCLA connects leaders with a network of trusted cohorts who can offer timely, relevant advice. As E.G. Sebastian, founder of People Dynamics Edge, says, “Trust happens only when communication flows seamlessly. With trust, companies can grow faster because people feel comfortable and psychologically safe enough to ask for advice.” WNCLA creates a comfortable and collaborative environment where inspired thinking begins with trust.
Growth and Opportunity

Working with leaders to help their organizations grow, WNCLA has a role in expanding the opportunities available to career seekers throughout the region. Jeffrey Percival, founder of Percival Enterprises, observes that “While you can do whatever you set your mind to, nobody teaches you how.” WNCLA strives to fill that gap. Furthermore, Adam Knapp, founder of KnappCreative Coaching, notes, “It’s imperative for people to understand that they have value. Leadership is about understanding people, their perspectives, and doing the deep listening that helps people know their value and all that’s possible for them.” 

Awareness

As the region continues to move forward from recovery to reinvention, WNCLA considers it essential to track the progress that leaders are making. Therefore, WNCLA’s mission also includes reporting annually on the state of leadership in Western North Carolina. Linda Ruhland, WNCLA founder, explains, “The way we realize our vision is by acknowledging where we are as a community, recognizing and pursuing the opportunities available to us, and then celebrating the achievements we make.”  

If you would like to know more about the leadership development opportunities available through WNC Leadership Alliance, email [email protected].