Leslie Boney is the principal at the website boneconnector.com where he writes about public policy and the connections between our work, play and spiritual lives.  He is the former head of NC State’s Institute of Emerging Issues, vice president of the UNC System and has led statewide initiatives focused on afterschool mentoring, welfare reform and rural economic development. While serving in the NC Department of Commerce and Governor’s Office, Leslie coordinated the state’s efforts to redesign rural development policy, increase volunteerism, and reform welfare. At the nonprofit MDC, he managed a two-state effort to help rural communities recover from manufacturing job loss. A former teacher and reporter, he received a B.A. from Amherst College.

Courtney Crowder is a respected leader in public affairs, government relations, and political strategy, with nearly 25 years of experience advancing policy and equity. Renowned for his strategic insight and collaborative approach, he is recognized as an expert in navigating complex policy issues and developing successful advocacy initiatives.

In his current role as North America Managing Director and Chair of Advocacy at APCO, Courtney oversees operations in Washington, D.C., Raleigh, and the broader South Region. His leadership drives client success across diverse public and private sector challenges.

Deeply committed to community service, Courtney serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for North Carolina Central University, sits on the boards of Delta Dental of North Carolina and M&F Bank, and provides leadership for  the North Carolina Black Alliance.

He holds a B.A. in English Literature and French from North Carolina Central University, an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Duke University, and completed the Program of History, Politics, and Society at Oxford’s Exeter College.

Dr. Eric Cunningham, affectionately known as Dr. “C,” has dedicated the past eight years to serving as the Superintendent of Halifax County Schools, where he continues to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the success of students. His leadership is marked by a deep understanding of the transformative power of education and an enduring belief in the potential of every young person.

Dr. Cunningham’s academic journey is a testament to his dedication to excellence. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University, before completing a Doctorate in Administration and Supervision at the University of Virginia. These educational accomplishments have provided him with a solid foundation in both the theory and practice of educational leadership, which he has effectively applied throughout his career.

Beyond his role as Superintendent, Dr. Cunningham is an active and engaged member of his community. He serves with distinction as a member of the Roanoke Rapids Rotary Club, where he contributes to various community initiatives aimed at improving the lives of local residents. His involvement in the Rotary reflects his belief that leadership extends beyond the classroom and into the heart of the community. In addition to his Rotary work, Dr. Cunningham plays a key role on the Halifax County Board of Health, where he uses his expertise to advocate for public health initiatives that benefit the broader community. His dedication to community well-being exemplifies the type of servant leadership that defines his professional and personal life.

Cunningham’s exemplary leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including a Certificate of Appreciation from the Halifax County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program and the Halifax Cooperative Extension’s “Honoring Our Heroes Award.” These honors recognize his outstanding contributions as a mentor, leader, and advocate for positive change.

As an author, Dr. Cunningham has shared his wisdom and insights in books such as Starting from the Bottom and How to Start at the Top & Release the Success POWER Within You!, both of which inspire individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their fullest potential. His writing is a reflection of his personal journey and his passion for empowering others to succeed.

Through his leadership in education, his active community involvement, and his ongoing commitment to youth and public health, Dr. Cunningham continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the future of his community. His work stands as a powerful reminder that leadership, compassion, and service go hand in hand in shaping a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow

Josh Dobson became president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association Nov. 12, 2024. The Association unites hospitals, health systems and care providers for healthier communities, advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships to make high quality healthcare equitable and accessible for all.  

With over 14 years of experience as a North Carolina elected leader, his career has included serving as a county commissioner, serving in the state House of Representatives, and serving as the state’s Commissioner of Labor, during which he also was a member of the Council of State. During his eight years serving in North Carolina General Assembly, Mr. Dobson represented the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state. He also served as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Health Committee.  

During his time in the state house, Mr. Dobson contributed to shaping healthcare legislation by helping to write and pass a law to protect healthcare worker safety by making violence against hospital employees a felony. He also worked across the aisle to enact changes to the state’s mental health law regarding involuntary commitment (IVC) of individuals in behavioral crises and contributed to landmark legislation expanding Medicaid to provide access to care and coverage for an additional 600,000 North Carolinians. 

As president & CEO of the NCHA, he oversees the association’s work to represent its membership of more than 135 hospitals and health systems throughout the state. NCHA’s members include state hospitals, military and governmental treatment facilities, VA, primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, rehabilitative services, behavioral health care, and post-acute care.  

His role with the association also includes overseeing the operations and staff of the NCHA Strategic Partners, a subsidiary helping healthcare providers access cost-effective products and services to respond to the changing healthcare landscape, and the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the charitable, non-profit innovative and programmatic arm of the association.  

A North Carolina native, Mr. Dobson received his bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. He lives in Raleigh and Nebo with his wife Valerie and their daughter Kennedy. 

Kasey Ginsberg joined Golden LEAF in January 2017 as the first program officer for the Disaster Recovery Grant Program and now serves as Vice President/Chief of Staff.

Her responsibilities include leading the strategic development and execution of the external-facing work of Golden LEAF including communications, government relations, and the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program. Kasey provides management support on internal initiatives to increase organizational effectiveness and organization-wide strategic planning efforts.

Kasey also fulfills Director of Programs responsibilities for the state and federally-funded programs of the Foundation including the Disaster Recovery Grant Program, Hurricane Florence Relief Fund Program, COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program, Flood Mitigation Grant Program, and the Food Distribution Assistance Program.

Prior to joining Golden LEAF, she served in budget and policy roles for Governor Pat McCrory and Speaker Thom Tillis where she worked on a variety of topics including economic development, education, transportation, and disaster recovery. Born and raised in California and Maryland, Kasey found her way to North Carolina for college, graduating from Meredith College in 2010.

Jai Kumar serves as the Executive Vice President of CaroNova, a health innovation incubator dedicated to advancing care transformation, policy reform, and systems change. In his role, Mr. Kumar ensures that all new initiatives are strategically aligned with CaroNova’s mission and oversees the organization’s program design, communications, and policy development teams. 

Prior to joining CaroNova, Mr. Kumar held the position of Vice President of Innovation at the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA), where he collaborated with hospitals and health systems to develop public-private solutions addressing the opioid crisis, enhanced healthcare workforce strategies, and promoted access to care. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Director at the YMCA of the Triangle, where he led initiatives in youth development and inclusive programming. 

Mr. Kumar holds a Master’s in Public Health Policy and Management from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from North Carolina State University. 

Elizabeth Tilson serves as the inaugural Executive Director of Nurture NC, an organization dedicated to working with multi-sector partners to improve maternal and infant health in North Carolina. She brings strong subject matter expertise in maternal and infant health along with deep experience in forging public private partnerships and advancing collaborative work across the state.

She most recently served the state of North Carolina for almost 8 years as State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health and Human Services. Prior roles include serving as the Medical Director of Community Care of Wake and Johnston Counties, Chief Network Medical Director for Community Care of North Carolina, and Assistant Consulting Professor and Cancer Control Specialist with Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Tilson practiced primary care pediatrics for 26 years and has been active in leadership roles in many local, state, and national pediatric, public health and preventive medicine organizations.

Dr. Tilson is a graduate of Dartmouth College (BA), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (MD), and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (MPH in Maternal and Child Health). She completed Residencies and is board certified in both Pediatrics and General Preventive Medicine/Public Health.