What’s BEST For You? > Business Leaders
Business Leaders Who Join BEST NC
Are Investing in the Lives of Students
and Educators for Generations to Come.
What Business Do Business Leaders Have Transforming Education?
North Carolina has a history of being first. First in Freedom, First in Flight, First in Business. So what’s keeping North Carolina from being First in Education? North Carolina’s business leaders understand that North Carolina’s public education system needs strategic support. But what does the business community know about education transformation? Believe it or not, they know a lot. Why? Because both schools and their businesses are human-centered organizations that rely on top talent.
When It Comes to Transforming Education, We Mean Business.
As a business leader, you know investing in improved access to a rigorous education system is one of the best avenues for public policy to support your community. But your finite resources can only do so much depending on where you invest them. You know that strategic investments are the backbone of any successful operations strategy. Money doesn’t always solve problems; but good systems do. So why not invest in the long-term, nation-leading systems-change work we’re doing at BEST NC? Don’t just take our word for it – listen to what our members have to say.
I became a member of BEST NC right at the beginning, just from the idea. It was just too well thought out, it was needed, and it’s turned out to be one of the best financial investments that myself or my business could be a part of.
David Neill
President, Bob Neill Inc.
15 Year Member of BEST NC
4th-Year Board Member
This organization focuses on what’s best for the student. The teachers; what’s imperative as far as attracting great teachers. That’s their focus. There’s no politics at all, and that’s attractive to folks on both sides of the aisle. They are very effective at being heard in Raleigh.
Richard “Stick” Williams
President (Retired), Duke Energy Foundation
7-Year Member of BEST NC
Board Advisor
I am a proud product of North Carolina’s public schools – from K-12 through college – as are my husband and children. There is no better mechanism for educating our state’s children and building a strong economy for our state than our public schools. This is why I got engaged with BEST NC in its early days…because it prioritizes students, teachers, and school leadership in advocating for evidence-based solutions that will drive our education system forward.
Jennifer Martineau, Ph.D
President & Founder, Leap & Inspire Global
9-Year Member of BEST NC
4th-Year Board Member
Become One of the BEST: How Can You Help?
North Carolina’s education system needs your help transforming both student and educator access to effective instruction and rigorous coursework! Here’s what you provide as a member of BEST NC that helps us reimagine the preparation and professional experiences of North Carolina’s teachers and principals at every point in their career:
Long-Term Focus
Unlike elected officials, business leaders are not restricted by election cycles. Your advocacy for your community and state can last for generations, not just general elections.
Subject-Matter Expertise
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: you can’t run schools like businesses. But schools can borrow the best practices that businesses use to recruit and retain top talent.
Financial Support
BEST NC is a member-supported organization, which means that our work is only possible because of the generous financial commitment of North Carolina’s business community.
BEST NC's Plan to Make North Carolina "First in Education"
Through an interconnected system of policies programs and practices known as the Educator Innovation Plan, North Carolina is transforming the quality and impact of our education system:
EDUCATION POLICY & LEADERSHIP
Be One of the BEST
North Carolina’s students and educators rely on private citizens and community leaders that actively participate in improving the state’s education system. Business leaders that join BEST NC are investing in the lives of North Carolinians for generations to come.
RESOURCE LIBRARY
Related Resources & Programs
Browse a curated collection of BEST NC’s foundational, strategic, and messaging materials below.
Educator Innovation
Educator Innovation Plan
Organizational Document
BEST NC’s Program & Policy Priorities
Organizational Document
Our Theory of Change
Organizational Document
Our Commitment to Students