CIE's McWhorter Elected to NC IDEA Board of Directors

Heather McWhorter, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), has been elected to the NC IDEA Foundation Board of Directors. The board is comprised of prominent business leaders and community stakeholders guiding the foundation in its mission to strengthen North Carolina's economy by supporting entrepreneurial growth. 

NC IDEA is an independent private foundation that helps North Carolina’s entrepreneurs flourish and transform communities through competitive grants, programs, resources and a network of strategic partners. Now celebrating its 20th year, NC IDEA has provided numerous grant funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs and organizations across the state. McWhorter’s election marks the first time the Wilmington area and UNCW have had representation on the board. 

“I’m honored to join the NC IDEA Board of Directors,” McWhorter said. “NC IDEA is a powerful force for entrepreneurship and the economic growth of North Carolina, and I’m excited to support its mission to help innovators build lasting businesses across the state.” 

McWhorter has served as director of CIE since 2022, leading initiatives that empower individuals and communities through entrepreneurship and sustainability. With decades of experience, she has connected higher education, research, entrepreneurial ecosystems and the broader community to grow innovation networks. McWhorter works alongside a dedicated team of staff, faculty, students and a large network of volunteers to nurture emerging startups. 

Under her leadership, CIE has become a hub for high-impact and blue economy innovation, offering programs such as the Idea Test Lab and the Ocean Innovation Conference to spark coastal solutions. She also played a key role in supporting the development of the UNCW Blue Economy Index, the first global tool to track the sector’s growth and impact. 

McWhorter is one of three newly elected NC IDEA directors. The organization also announced the election of a new board chair. 

"We are privileged to be guided by a visionary board of accomplished business leaders who share in our bold ambition to help North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial potential,” NC IDEA President and CEO Thom Ruhe said. “We are especially honored to welcome our newest directors—all distinguished leaders deeply rooted in the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each brings firsthand experience with our portfolio of grants and programs." 

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship nurtures high-impact startups and creates a vibrant innovation hub in southeast North Carolina. CIE serves as a UNCW-community connector, supporting both student and entrepreneurial success.