Meredith Henderson
Executive Director
Dr. Meredith Henderson provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction to the organization. She is responsible for building and leading local and global collaborative efforts that optimize North Carolina’s global engagement to enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.
Meredith Henderson serves as Executive Director of Global NC, leading the development and implementation of programs for educators, policymakers, community leaders, and business professionals. She also serves as a key liaison to Global NC’s Board of Directors and strategic partners.
Meredith is a member of the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition North Carolina Advisory Committee, SIETAR-USA, and NAFSA. She currently serves as Chair of NAFSA’s Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community and is a member of NAFSA’s Trainer Corps. Her previous leadership roles with NAFSA include service on the Professional Competencies Working Group (2021–2022) and as Intercultural Communication and Training Network Leader (2018–2021).
Meredith has served in leadership roles at Global NC since 1999. During her tenure, she has designed and led international programs and exchanges in Mexico, the Netherlands, Ghana, Sweden, New Zealand, India, Ireland, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa. She has collaborated with East Carolina University and other partners to advance global education initiatives and has presented at state, national, and international conferences on global learning, intercultural engagement, and transformative education, including the International Transformative Learning Conference.
Meredith earned an Ed.D. in Adult and Community College Education and a Master of Technology for International Development/Sociology from North Carolina State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies from Mount Holyoke College. She has studied and worked internationally in France and Canada and has a personal goal of joining the Travelers’ Century Club for individuals who have visited 100 or more countries and territories.