Category: Economy

TEDx Talk with Victor W. Hwang

Paula Pingel

November 30, 2025

Business Impact, Change Management, Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

In this TEDx talk, Victor W. Hwang, the Founder & CEO of Right to Start, argues that real economic prosperity comes when communities foster what he calls an “innovation ecosystem”, a social environment where ideas, talent, and capital flow freely, and where everyone has a fair shot at building something new. For those of us Read more
NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit Recap

Paula Pingel

November 25, 2025

Business Impact, Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

I’m thrilled to share that I recently participated in the NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit, which celebrated 20 years of innovation and collaboration in North Carolina’s startup ecosystem. Here are a few key take-aways:1) Together with founders, funders and ecosystem builders, we looked at how far we’ve come and what’s still needed to fuel growth statewide.2) Read more
Tom Snyder: Why UNC System should ditch the ‘tollbooth’ mindset for statewide innovation

Paula Pingel

November 24, 2025

Business Impact, Commercialization, Economy, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

Very thought-provoking article by Tom Snyder, which speaks to the major opportunity in North Carolina to shift from a “tollbooth” model of university IP licensing to a true “launchpad” for statewide innovation. Founder-friendly policies across the UNC System could unlock more startups, more jobs, and more investment—especially in regions that have historically been left out. Read more
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘴: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴

Paula Pingel

November 18, 2025

Change Management, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 hashtag#𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆. I was honored to lead the “𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘴: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴” breakout session at the NC IDEA 2025 Summit, along with Dr. Vania R. from Right to Start. Participants learned why advocacy matters, Read more
NC IDEA 2025 Summit

Paula Pingel

November 18, 2025

Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Social Impact, Strategy, Teambuilding, Technology & Innovation

What an incredible two days at the NC IDEA 2025 Summit. Day 1 featured panel discussions on mayoral perspectives on innovation, barriers to entrepreneurship, and statewide innovation models, as well as a fireside chat between Thom Ruhe and Andrew Yang. The day concluded with the celebratory announcement of the NC IDEA MICRO and SEED grant Read more
Innovation at UNC Charlotte

Paula Pingel

November 15, 2025

Commercialization, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation, Wellness

I am privileged to be a Regional Entrepreneur for the Charlotte region. In this capacity, I partner with NCInnovation to help UNC Charlotte bring their IP to market. Jordan Poler, Ph.D. and his team at the UNC Charlotte Klein College of Science announced that its innovative nanostructured filtration media has passed the rigorous NSF/ANSI 42 and Read more
The Pinnacle Dinner

Paula Pingel

November 13, 2025

Change Management, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Teambuilding

I am privileged to be a Founding Member of the NC Pinnacle Dinner. At these dinners we gather leaders from across North Carolina to network and commit to helping each other. Jolaine Elien: Last Thursday, I returned to The Pinnacle Dinner, a night filled with inspiration, purpose, and genuine conversation. I met so many incredible Read more
The 3rd Annual US Inventor Conference

Paula Pingel

October 30, 2025

Economy, Leadership, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

US Inventor: Thank You, Inventors — You Made History. The 3rd Annual US Inventor Conference wasn’t just another event — it was a movement in motion. The most powerful voices in innovation, law, and policy gathered in Washington, D.C., making this the largest and most influential inventor-rights event ever held. Over 60 inventors and advocates Read more
Right to Start Kicked off Their North Carolina Starters Coalition

Paula Pingel

September 25, 2025

Accountability, Business Impact, Change Management, Commercialization, Economy, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

Jess Jur: Right to Start kicked off their North Carolina Starters Coalition with an event focused on “Making Entrepreneurial Opportunity a Civic Priority”. I was honored to sit down for a fireside chat with Thom Ruhe (NC IDEA) and Jess Anderson (Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill, NC). I must have been dreaming! 📻My main messages, Read more
North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch LI Post

Paula Pingel

September 25, 2025

Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

Smitha Ragannagari: North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch! What an incredible day it was, bringing together so many dedicated leaders who are passionate about fostering a thriving small business ecosystem right here in our state.A huge thank you to all the leaders who joined the Launch, shared insights and the work you are doing. TRULY INSPIRING!!! Read more
North Carolina Starters Coalition Launch on ABC11

Paula Pingel

September 25, 2025

Commercialization, Economy, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

What an incredible success! Today our NC Starters Coalition Launch brought together passionate leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners committed to making entrepreneurial opportunity a civic priority in North Carolina. A huge thank you to our special guest speakers, panelists, Advisory Circle members, and attendees whose insights, energy, and dedication made this event such a powerful Read more
NC Energy Innovation Hub

Paula Pingel

September 15, 2025

Business Impact, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

So proud of UNC Charlotte! UNC Charlotte’s efforts to build an energy innovation hub for the Carolinas continue to gain national momentum. The University’s Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization has been named one of 15 finalists in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines competition, advancing to a full site visit from more Read more
The Journey of Risk-Taking and Leaderhip Podcast Interview with Josette Mandela

Paula Pingel

September 13, 2025

Accountability, Business Impact, Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

I’m so grateful to Josette Mandela for including me in the “The Journey of Risk-Taking and Leadership” episode of her “The Empowered Money Girl” podcast and for letting me share my journey and growth through taking risks. Read more
Chief NC Gathering

Paula Pingel

August 28, 2025

Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

I had a fantastic time networking at Sixty Vines with Charlotte Chief Executives, Marie Kelly, Breanne Byrne, Stacie Immesberger, and Kati Everett. Thank you so much, Marie for leading this cozy and delightful night of sharing and strategizing. Read more
Prior Authorization Process Improvement

Paula Pingel

June 30, 2025

Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Wellness

This is a significant development. Congratulations to U.S. health insurers for their commitment to finally addressing this issue. CNBC: Health plans under major U.S. insurers said Monday they have voluntarily agreed to speed up and reduce prior authorizations – a process that is often a major pain point for patients and providers when getting and Read more
Seed the South Capital Summit

Paula Pingel

May 28, 2025

Business Impact, Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

I had an incredible experience at the Seed the South Capital Summit last week; a transformative two-day journey of connection, learning, and celebration with hundreds of industry leaders across Southeast North Carolina. I was inspired by the powerful pitches from local entrepreneurs and gained valuable insights from subject matter experts, including Michael Praeger, the Co-Founder, Read more
NC IDEA Ecosystem Partner Event

Paula Pingel

May 28, 2025

Business Impact, Commercialization, Diversity, Economy, Leadership, Social Impact, Strategy, Technology & Innovation

It was inspiring to see CEO Thom Ruhe honor the entrepreneurs, funders, and partners gathered for the NC IDEA Ecosystem Partner event last week. I had the chance to speak with rural entrepreneurs who are actively transforming North Carolina’s rural communities. It was also enlightening to learn about NC IDEA’s unique partnerships, shared by Suzie Koonce, Read more
Significant Reform Needed Across the Insurance Industry

pingel

January 22, 2025

Economy, Market Trends, Social Impact

While I am pleased to see State Farm setting a positive example, there is a pressing need for significant reform across the insurance industry. Insurance pricing has become increasingly intolerable nationwide, negatively impacting both homeownership and rentals. It is likely that insurance premiums will continue to rise across the U.S. to offset industry losses, further Read more
Costco, Builder Eye Low-Cost Homes

pingel

December 24, 2024

Economy, Leadership, Social Impact

Costco is taking remarkable steps to demonstrate its commitment to a diverse and inclusive America. From standing firm on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs despite potential opposition from stakeholders, to partnering with organizations like Thrive Living to enhance access to affordable housing, the company is setting itself apart. What drives a corporation to Read more
Court Blocks $8.5B Fashion Merger

pingel

November 18, 2024

Economy

I understand. America doesn’t need further price increases paired with lower-compensated employees. Approving such mergers could accelerate the trend toward an entrenched class system. Perhaps if these large mergers were bound by agreements that guaranteed fair pricing and equitable employee compensation, the impact could be more positive? https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/court-blocks-85b-fashion-merger-6207228/ Read more
Economic Growth Doubled in Quarter

pingel

August 11, 2024

Economy

While economic growth doubled in the quarter, Implementing rate cuts could alleviate some of the burden on the middle class, who are struggling to purchase homes, cars, and other essentials. The combination of higher interest rates, exorbitant insurance costs, credit card debt, and student loan debt is hindering economic growth for many Americans in the Read more