NC Global Advantage Forum

November 5, 2026  •  11:00am – 2:00pm

The premier forum in NC that convenes and engages a cross-section of leaders from all sectors to focus on global opportunities in education, development, economic and community development and entrepreneurship. The Forum is an annual event promoting the value of the NC Coalition for Global Competitiveness, building support for our work, and highlighting global engagement success stories from our state.

Forum Agenda

11:00 – 12:00 Global Networking Hour & Lunch sponsored by Participate Learning

12:00 – 2:00 Programming

WELCOME

• • Meredith Henderson, Global NC
  • Tim Gabel, RTI International
  • NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall
    

KEYNOTE: What responsible AI means and why it matters globally and locally.

• • Dr. Phaedra Boinodiris, Global Lead, IBM Consulting’s Responsible AI Practice

PANEL ONE: Preparing the Next Generation: AI, Global Competence & Opportunity

• • Veljko Dubljevic, NC State University
  • Amos Fodchuk, Advance Learning Partnerships
  • Meredith Hill, NC DPI

SPOTLIGHT: Global Innovation Center – Asheboro City Schools 

• • Dr. Aaron Woody, Superintendent
  • Wendy D. Rich, PH.D,Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Superintendent
  • Anthony Woodyard, Chief Information Officer

PANEL TWO: AI in the Global Marketplace: Innovation, Competitiveness & Cross-Sector Collaboration

• • Stacy Hobson, RTI International
  • Pierre Arbajian, US Patent Trademark Office
  • Stanislaw (Stan) Schmal, Lufthansa Industry Solutions US

JIM FAIN NC GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AWARD sponsored by Michael Best

• • Awardee to be announced at event

CLOSING

• • Assistant Commissioner of NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Chrissy Waggett