糖心传媒

Jan. 2, 2025 - Director of 糖心传媒鈥檚 Small Business Center, Flynne Meares, recently graduated from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the NC Rural Center鈥檚 flagship leadership development program.

The three-month intensive training program equips existing and emerging leaders with the tools they need to tackle economic and community development issues facing rural North Carolina.

Now in its 35th year, REDI has trained more than 1,200 leaders across the state. As a graduate of REDI, Meares joins an extensive alumni network that spans all of North Carolina鈥檚 100 counties and includes graduates from the Rural Center鈥檚 other leadership training program, Homegrown Leaders. Many of the Center鈥檚 leadership alumni are active in state and local government and philanthropic, nonprofit, and small-business sectors, as well as in faith and community-based organizations.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 REDI class of rural leaders embodies the heart and soul of our rural communities- resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to making a difference,鈥� said Olaunda Green, director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center. 鈥淲e are incredibly proud to support their journey and witness their impact as they lead their communities into a thriving future.鈥�     

鈥淐ongratulations to this year鈥檚 class of REDI graduates for investing in yourselves and your communities through this valuable training,鈥� said Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center. 鈥淩ural North Carolina needs leaders like you willing to look at challenges in a new way, and we know you have many successes ahead of you.鈥�

To learn more about how the NC Rural Center is developing and supporting rural leaders across the state, visit .