Michele Querry is a seasoned economic development and clean energy professional currently serving as Town Manager of Newport, North Carolina. She was appointed by the Newport Town Council and officially began her role on May 12, 2025.

Previously, Michele served as the Southeast Regional Director for Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, where she partnered with chambers and economic developers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee to advance renewable energy initiatives—particularly offshore wind.

Before that, she was the Director of Economic Development for Carteret County, NC, where she led efforts to attract clean energy investment and support local business growth. During her tenure, Carteret County was recognized as a North Carolina Clean Energy Champion.

Michele holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Webster University. She lives in Newport with her husband and three dogs, and she is passionate about building resilient communities and driving sustainable growth across eastern North Carolina.

TOWN MANAGER of
Newport, N.C.

Michele Querry

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of twelve novels, including Beach House Rules, A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and the beloved Peachtree Bluff series.

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism and holds a master’s degree in English with a concentration in multicultural literature. Her work has earned recognition such as the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award, a Southern Book Prize nomination, and spots on Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Parade’s Big Fiction Reads, Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Picks, and Good Morning America’s Buzz Picks.

Kristy is the co-host and co-creator of the popular web series and podcast Friends & Fiction and co-founder of the interiors blog Design Chic, which she runs with her mom. Her writing and design work have been featured in Southern Living, USA Today, Domino, and Traditional Home.

She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt—always working on her next novel.

New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author

Kristy Woodson Harvey

Ashley Harrell is the co-owner of Gaffer’s in Emerald Isle and Birdies in Cape Carteret, two beloved restaurants known not just for their food, but for their heart. Alongside her husband, Red, Ashley exemplifies resilience, hustle, and community-minded entrepreneurship.

Originally opening Gaffer’s in Ocracoke in 2009, the couple lost everything when a hurricane devastated the island in 2019. With unwavering determination, they relocated to Emerald Isle and reopened Gaffer’s in 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic. Since then, they’ve expanded their vision to include a sip-and-shop experience, a growing catering and meal delivery service, and the launch of Birdies, their second restaurant.

Ashley is deeply committed to giving back, whether it's paying off school lunch debt for graduating seniors or organizing Thanksgiving groceries for families in need. Her love for the coast, her community, and her customers shows up in every plate served and every project launched.

A true embodiment of grit and generosity, Ashley’s story is one of rebuilding, reimagining, and rising—while always keeping community at the center.

Co-Founder
Gaffer's and Birdies

Ashley Harrell

April Mitchell is a professional inventor and award-winning game designer known for her work across toys, games, party goods, novelty items, and housewares. A 3x patented inventor, April draws inspiration from her life as a military spouse, educator, and mom of four—often co-creating with her family.

She has successfully licensed products across multiple industries, including kitchen tools, party supplies, preschool and family games, and outdoor toys. Notable games include Pizza Pie, Slanguage, The CLueLess Party Game, and Swapple. Her non-game products include the Caterpeeler, Right Height hook, and Lazer Balloons.

A teacher at heart, April shares her knowledge through speaking engagements, podcasts, and her column Meant to Invent in Inventors Digest. She co-created The Tabletop Game Design MasterClass and has been featured in several books.

Founder 
4A's Creations, LLC

 April Mitchell

Ann Marie Raymond is a passionate nonprofit executive, accomplished community leader, and proud military child who has called Onslow County home since the age of six. As Chief Advancement Officer at One Place, she leads the organization’s advancement strategy—cultivating partnerships, securing resources, and amplifying advocacy efforts to support children and families across Eastern North Carolina.

With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ann Marie is known for her collaborative leadership, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to child and family well-being. Her work focuses on improving access to early childhood education, child abuse prevention, and mental health services in both civilian and military communities.

In 2024, Ann Marie serves as Chair of the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, where she leads regional initiatives to support business growth, community resilience, and military partnerships. She is an active member of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee and was honored as the 2017 Woman of the Year by the Chamber for her outstanding service and impact.

Ann Marie has also been a proud member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club for over 20 years, living out the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” in everything she does.
She believes that when women lead with heart, vision, and authenticity, they create lasting change in their communities. A devoted wife to Mat and mother to Mat and Emmie, Ann Marie finds daily inspiration in her family and remains grounded in her commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate future for all.

 

Chief Advancement Officer 
 One Place

 Ann Marie Raymond

Zelle Wiggins is the founder and creative force behind ZIA Boutique, a charming women's clothing and lifestyle shop in Wilmington, NC. With a background in marketing and advertising, she launched her Southern Style blog while still at Meredith College, cultivating a passion for fashion that naturally evolved into ZIA Boutique.

Zelle’s boutique reflects her love of coastal elegance—where bold patterns meet timeless silhouettes, and every piece effortlessly transitions from work to weekend. She pours her warm hospitality into every client interaction, treating her customers like family in an inviting, inclusive atmosphere.

Based in Wilmington with her husband Stephen, daughter Virginia Parker, and their shop pup Sophie, Zelle brings personal attention and genuine care to both styling and community. Her vision of classic-meets-modern style has made ZIA Boutique a beloved destination for standout pieces infused with effortless southern charm.

Owner and Buyer
ZIA BOUTIQUE

Zelle Wiggins

Annie Franceschi is a former Disney storyteller, branding expert, and host of the Establish Yourself® podcast. For 11+ years, Annie has helped 400+ people talk clearly about what they do, package their offers, and grow businesses with confidence through her practice, Greatest Story Creative®. Along the way, she's spoken for thousands, been featured in Forbes, and written 3 bestselling books: Establish Yourself, Permission to Try, and Small Biz for Kids. A Duke University graduate and major Muppets fan, Annie lives with her husband, Gus, and her favorite superhero / son, Leo, nearby in Durham, NC.

Brand Strategist

Annie Franceschi

Dr. Sarah Glova specializes in helping teams and leaders connect and collaborate more effectively. With advanced degrees in technical communication, she brings nearly two decades of experience as a university instructor, tech reporter, and podcast host to the challenges of workplace communication in today’s fast-paced, often virtual, and highly collaborative environments.

Dr. Glova teaches business communication, leadership communication, technical writing, and storytelling at NC State and Duke University, where she equips students with strategies for persuasive and collaborative communication in professional settings. As a former tech journalist, she developed a knack for distilling complex topics into actionable insights — a skill she now brings to workshops, keynotes, and consulting sessions.

Known for her engaging, practical approach, Dr. Glova empowers participants to strengthen their leadership and communication skills, foster collaboration, and build confidence in every interaction.

Researcher, writer, university instructor

Dr. Sarah Glova

Booth attended NC State University where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and earned a B.S. in Business-Finance Concentration and a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant since 2005.

Booth worked in the automobile industry in a CFO capacity for nearly 15 years with her family’s Stevenson Automotive Group. In 2020, Booth became a Master Certified Financial Coach and shifted her career focus to financial consulting for small business with a focus on women owned businesses. In 2023, Booth launched a podcast Mom-enomics, that focuses on financial and mindset topics affecting families.

Booth has been married to Wood Parker since March 2004 and has one son, Wood V, ECHS Class of 2025. Booth serves on the Audit Committee of First Baptist Church, as the Treasurer for the Crystal Coast Hospice House and is also on the board of directors for the Carteret Community College Foundation. Booth shares her love for all things home and cooking on her lifestyle blog at www.boothparker.com and Instagram @boothparkercpa. In her spare time, Booth enjoys watching her son play baseball, boating with her boys, and playing with her 5 dogs!

CO-FOUNDER
CAROLINA WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE 

Booth Parker