Vice President – Economic Opportunity
[email protected]
After serving as a Dogwood Health Trust board member, Sarah Thompson joined the Impact Team as Vice President – Economic Opportunity. In this role, Sarah is responsible for the visioning, development and implementation of ambitious economic impact strategies that will increase pathways to high-quality and more equitable employment opportunities for Western North Carolinians. She also leads efforts to increase support for micro and small business opportunities for under-resourced and marginalized communities.
Sarah previously served as the Executive Director for Southwestern Planning and Economic Development Commission in Sylva. In this role, she directed operations of the regional council of government which serves the seven most western counties in North Carolina through community and economic development, workforce development, area agency on aging and a revolving loan fund for businesses.
Before her role with Southwestern Commission, Sarah was the executive director of the Downtown Sylva Association. She has also served as Chair of the NC Rural Economic Development Center Board and founding Chair of Thread Capital, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing capital and coaching to small businesses owned by people of color, women, low-income and rural based individuals. Additionally she has served as Chair of the Jackson County Planning Board and as a Town of Sylva Commissioner. She holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Western Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Miami University.
Address:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
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Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use
Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors
Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services
Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty
Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region
Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership
Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina
Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels
Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career
Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina
Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.