Kelly L. Fuller to Lead State Chamber of Commerce’s Long-Term Policy Arm

The NC Chamber Foundation is pleased to announce that Kelly L. Fuller has been named president. An experienced public policy expert in a host of fields, Fuller will lead the Foundation’s long-term policy development and strategic initiative activities to achieve the goals set in North Carolina Vision 2030.

“We are excited to have Kelly join the NC Chamber team,” said Gary J. Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. “Kelly is passionate about finding strategic solutions to complex problems and enjoys building coalitions to facilitate change and achieve outcomes. Her experience will help establish the NC Chamber Foundation as a forward-thinking public policy voice on issues that impact the future of our state. I look forward to the opportunity to leverage her work through the NC Chamber.”

The NC Chamber Foundation was developed in 2012 when members of the NC Chamber Strategic Planning Committee identified an urgent need for a vision and plan for North Carolina’s future. The business leaders developed a framework for the NC Chamber to create and implement a long-term vision based around Education and Talent Supply, Competitive Business Climate and Infrastructure and Growth Leadership. This effort launched the NC Chamber Foundation and the start of North Carolina Vision 2030, which was formally adopted in 2013.

In the first five years, the NC Chamber Foundation examined some of North Carolina’s most consequential competitive obstacles, from the skills gap and infrastructure to tax reform and health care, and catalyzed significant change.

In the next five years, some of those issues will remain at the forefront. The NC Chamber Foundation will invest heavily in solutions to help attract and retain talent as that continues to emerge as a top challenge for businesses across size and industry. The Talent Pipeline Management initiative kicked off this fall and research is underway to assess innovative, technology-based programs that expose students to available careers across industries. The Foundation will focus on impacting change in health care by bringing together the many stakeholders along the health care supply chain to address the rising costs and below-average outcomes and make North Carolina a top-ten state for health care value. Infrastructure will be a key focus as our state continues to grow, requiring thoughtful approaches in the areas of broadband, energy, transportation funding and more. Finally, while North Carolina is a top state for business, the Foundation will consistently review our state’s position and find ways to stay competitive.

“North Carolina is at a critical juncture. As our population and economy continues to grow, many are asking, ‘what kind of state do we want to be?’ Ensuring North Carolina remains a great place to live with good quality of life, as well as a thriving economy for businesses to grow in all corners of the state, requires serious focus,” said Fuller. “The NC Chamber Foundation, through North Carolina Vision 2030, is uniquely positioned to convene, collaborate and research the issues that will shape North Carolina’s future. I look forward to leading that effort and engaging with thought leaders across the state as we provide the business community with the tools and resources to maximize our state’s potential.”