Steering Committee Members
The NCLF Steering Committee is made up of diverse state leaders, Duke faculty, and is led by an executive director. This group devotes significant time to designing the format, focus, and pacing of the programs. Additionally, members of the Steering Committee facilitate program sessions during each participant gathering. Their wide-ranging and numerous work and life experiences inform and making the program appeal to a wide range of state leaders.


Co-Founder – NC Leadership Forum
Former N. C. State Senator and Former Executive Director, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Professor of the Practice, Director of Polis: Center for Politics, Duke University

Vice President and Manufacturing Manager of Austin Electrical Enclosures

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Retired NC General Assembly Member

Broker/Owner, Barfield and Associates Realty

Associate Justice, Supreme Court of North Carolina
Clinical Professor, UNC-CH Kenan-Flagler Business School

Executive Director and Vice President, AJ Fletcher Foundation

Associate Vice President for P12 Strategy and Policy, UNC System Office, Former General Assembly Member

Program Officer, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Former NC General Assembly Member

South Regional Director, Government Affairs, Human Coalition


CEO, Michael Thomas Group
NCLF Staff

Executive Director, NC Leadership Forum

Program Director, NC Leadership Forum

Senior Program Coordinator, NC Leadership Forum