Team

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Meet The Team

Our team is packed with your kind of people. Just like you, we’re all driven to serve our vibrant, growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina. We’re showing investors what’s happening and what’s possible here, connecting them with companies that are changing the world. Our people know this region inside and out and bring valuable insight to our relationships with startups, investors and our incredible community partners. We’re proud of who we are and what we do. And we can’t wait to meet you.

CORE TEAM

Brennan Barber

Brennan Barber

Head of Business Development

Elaina Bade

Elaina Bade

Customer Experience Lead

Hunter Young

Hunter Young

Head of Capital

Jay Bigelow

Jay Bigelow

Head of Founder Engagement

JP Maloney

JP Maloney

Startup Programs Lead

Kelly Rowell

Kelly Rowell

Chief Executive Officer

Preet Mankad

Preet Mankad

Startup Programs Lead

Sanjana Bharadwaj

Sanjana Bharadwaj

Business Development Lead

Yash Mehta

Yash Mehta

Connect to Capital Lead

FOUNDERS IN RESIDENCE

George Wildeman

George Wildeman

Deeptech Founder in Residence

Giles Shih

Giles Shih

Agtech Founder in Residence

Jed Carlson

Jed Carlson

Saas Founder in Residence

Kelli Luginbuhl

Kelli Luginbuhl

Biotech Founder in Residence

Leah Townsend

Leah Townsend

MedTech & Commercialization Founder in Residence

Tyson Nargassans

Tyson Nargassans

Software & Growth Founder in Residence

ASSOCIATES

Jacob Diebler

Jacob Diebler

App State

Marketing Track

CAREERS

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Join our team and inspire entrepreneurship.

As the CED ecosystem develops and grows, so does our need for talented, driven individuals to join our team. Beyond an inspiring, engaging work environment, we offer the opportunity to explore the world of entrepreneurship, interacting with and learning from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in North Carolina.

Head of Strategic Partnerships

Full-Time Leadership Role | Reports to CEO | Triangle-Based or Hybrid

Mission

Own and grow CED’s partner ecosystem by cultivating multi-year, strategic partnerships with corporations, institutions, and ecosystem leaders. This role drives the revenue model that fuels CED’s programming, events, and marketplace.

Profile Summary

You’re a strategic sales leader who knows how to close deals and build trust. You thrive in fast-paced environments where solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all—and you’re skilled at shaping offerings on the fly to meet partner needs while advancing organizational goals. You understand startups, innovation ecosystems, and the power of aligning business growth with community impact.

In this role, you’ll lead revenue generation by owning the corporate sales strategy, growing multi-year partnerships, and scaling new revenue streams through marketplace products and affiliate programs that deliver mutual value.

You Might Be a Fit If You…

  • Have a background in corporate partnerships, business development, or strategic sales
  • Can close 5–6 figure deals by aligning partner priorities with organizational value
  • Have experience in ecosystem partnerships, sponsorship sales, or innovation-focused business development
  • Understand the startup economy, even if you haven’t worked in one
  • Love building partnerships that go beyond “logo slaps”—you co-create value
  • Are comfortable managing multiple revenue streams and reporting on results

Full description here. Please apply here.


General Interest

The Center for Entrepreneurial Development is a dynamic and innovative entrepreneurial support organization dedicated to accelerating the growth and success of high-growth startups in North Carolina. We provide a range of programs and services that empower startup founders and operators to thrive in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship. We do this by convening our collective ecosystem of resources, including serial founders, investors, and subject matter experts, to support them.

At CED, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We believe that a diverse team of professionals brings a broader range of perspectives, ideas, and expertise, allowing us to create greater impact for the entrepreneurial community.

If you have an interest in working with our team, we encourage you to fill out the application here.


Meet our Team