Final Meeting of 2026 Watauga Leadership Institute Week 7: The Next Step
The Watauga Leadership Institute concluded its 2026 Spring Cohort with Week 7 programming, bringing both cohorts together for a powerful final day centered on growth, reinvention, and what comes next.
Watauga Leadership Challenge
The Challenge cohort began with a What's Different & What Will Be Different session by program facilitator, Dr. Jim Street. This opened the day by setting the stage for personal and professional growth, challenging participants to examine what has changed in their leadership journey and what they want to change next.
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STOP 1 - RESEARCH & INNOVATION... NOT JUST BUZZWORDS
Dr. Christine Hendren, Vice Chancellor of Research & Innovation, Appalachian State University
We may think we know all about App State, but after hearing from the Office of Research and Innovation, the cohort has a new perspective on where higher education and the business community intersect. Dr. Hendren dreams big and she’s not alone in thinking of what could be possible here in the High Country!
STOP 2 - THE NEXT STEP IN HEALTHCARE IN THE HIGH COUNTRY
Nathan Nipper, President & CEO - UNC Health Appalachian
Nathan shared his vision for the future of healthcare in our region and what bold, strategic leadership looks like in one of the High Country's most essential sectors.
Watauga Leadership Development
Meanwhile, the Development cohort gathered at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce for their own final day. After check-in and coffee, Dr. Jim Street led an extended What's Different & What Will Be Different session running through midday, giving participants a meaningful block of time to reflect on how they've changed since January 22 and what kind of leaders they want to be going forward.
The group enjoyed a final WLD lunch provided by The Courtyard at Marriott before coming back together for a Final Group Discussion, talking and listening to one another as they looked ahead to the next month, the rest of 2026, and beyond.
The Next Step Panel, Challenge
and Development
The afternoon brought both cohorts together for a closing panel that felt like a fitting end to the journey. Two High Country leaders reflected on pivotal moments of growth, risk, and reinvention, and what taking the next step really looked like when it was time to act.
Tim Herdklotz, Co-Founder & President, Booneshine Brewing Company: Tim brought two decades of experience in the electronic payments industry before making the leap to co-found Booneshine Brewing Company, a microbrewery, tasting room, and restaurant in East Boone. His story is one of calculated risk and community investment.
Becca Nenow, Owner, Woodsong: Becca's path — from studying psychology, biology, and visual art at UNC Chapel Hill to thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail to founding a backcountry skills school and a sustainable products company — is a testament to what happens when you follow what matters most. She has also served on Boone Town Council and remains deeply rooted in local sustainability efforts.
Dr. Jim Street closed out the day with a wrap-up session, giving both cohorts space to process everything they'd heard and set their sights on what comes next.
A heartfelt thank you to both cohorts for an extraordinary Spring 2026. Your investment in yourselves, each other, and this community will continue to ripple outward in ways we can't yet imagine.
Thank you to The Courtyard at Marriott and RISE Market for providing lunch!
Watauga Leadership Challenge Graduates
| Dezi | Beltran | Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone | Creative Marketing Coordinator/ Guest Service Representative |
| Joe | Bentley | Mast General Store | General Manager Annex |
| Joslyn | Brown | Blue Flowers | Owner |
| Cori | Ernhart | Nordic IT Solutions | Team Lead |
| Bobby | Hamby | Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute | Psychology Instructor/ Faculty Senate President |
| Parker | Lawrence | LifeStore Bank | Portfolio Manager |
| Angela | Loos | Quiet Givers | Executive Director |
| Madison | Marcinkowski | Appalachian State University | Leadership Annual Gift Officer |
| Rev. Mitch | Marlowe | Boone Advent Christian Church | Pastor |
| Dave | Shableski | VPC Builders | Director of Home Projects |
| Christian | Smith | Panoramic Hospitality | Director of Sales |
| Samantha | Stahl | Mast General Store | HR Coordinator |
| Adam | Warren | Appalachian State University | Director, On Ramp Appalachia / Assistant Director, GEAR UP Appalachia |
Watauga Leadership Development Graduates
| Ken | Bell | Over Yonder Restaurant, Boone | Head Chef/ Co-Owner |
| Jackson | Buser | Samaritan’s Purse | Finance Analyst / Operation Christmas Child |
| Peden | Council | Over Yonder Restaurant, Boone | General Manager |
| Diana | Fay | Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone | Director of Sales & Operations |
| Debra | Foxx | High Country Council of Governments | Operations & Compliance Manager/ High Country Workforce Development Board |
| Nathan | Godwin | Watauga County Habitat for Humanity | Director of Development |
| Josie | Gordon | The Gamekeeper Restaurant | Server Assistant / Host |
| Jonathan | Holley | The Gamekeeper Restaurant | Maitre D' |
| Brad | Kelley | The Beacon Restaurant / Reid's Catering Co. | Front of House Manager |
| Lily | Lipford | Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture | Communications & Development Manager |
| Joseph | Lynch | The Speckled Trout Outfitters | Store Manager |
| Matty | McDaniels | The Beacon Restaurant | Bar Manager |
| Lane | Moody | Town of Boone/ DBDA | Downtown Development Coordinator |
| Andres | Rosado | Pearl’s Kitchen & Tiny Market | General Manager/ Executive Chef |
| Erin | Still | Consolidated Planning, Inc. | Financial Professional |
| Donald | Traub | Nordic IT Solutions | IT System Administrator/ Team Lead |
The Watauga Leadership Institute is a program of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, reinforcing a commitment to workforce development and long-term community impact. The Institute is made possible through its sponsors: SkyLine/SkyBest, LifeStore Bank and Insurance, and Carolina West Wireless.
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