--- title: Lauren & Gracie Attend The 2026 WEDN Lead & Learn Forum description: Graice and Lauren attend the 2026 WEDN Lead and Learn conference image: https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hubfs/IMG_2010%202.jpg --- [![EDR Logo 12-21](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDR%20Logo%2012-21.jpg?width=2475&height=800&name=EDR%20Logo%2012-21.jpg "EDR Logo 12-21")](https://ncgtpedr.com) - [About Us](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Our Team](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us#team) - [Our Board of Directors](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us#board) - [Our Investors](https://ncgtpedr.com/invest#investors) - Data & Grants Show submenu for Data & Grants - [NC Global TransPark](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=district-458da14f-8f13-4e3f-886e-766c7d35b318&community_level=district&community_state=37&community_loc=458da14f-8f13-4e3f-886e-766c7d35b318) - [Wayne County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-191&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=191) - [Lenoir County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-107&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=107) - [Greene County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-079&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=079) - [Incentives & Grants](https://edpnc.com/incentives/) - [News](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news) - [Invest In Us](https://ncgtpedr.com/invest) - [Available Industrial Sites](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/) Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Lauren & Gracie Attend The 2026 WEDN Lead & Learn Forum ![EDR](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hubfs/EDR%20Letters-WEB-3.jpg) [EDR](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/author/edr) Mar 31, 2026, 11:13:39 AM Lauren and Gracie had the opportunity to attend the Women’s Economic Development Network (WEDN) event hosted by Creative Economic Development Consulting, where they joined professionals from across North Carolina to discuss the future of economic growth and community development. The event created space for meaningful conversations, connection, and the sharing of ideas among leaders working to strengthen their regions.   Throughout the sessions, a strong focus was placed on workforce development and the importance of supporting communities through initiatives like childcare access, housing, and education. These conversations reinforced how essential these elements are in attracting and retaining talent while ensuring long-term economic sustainability.   Lauren and Gracie also gained insight into emerging tools and strategies, including the role of AI, productivity, and innovative education models in shaping the future workforce. They left the event with fresh perspectives and valuable ideas, inspired by the collaborative energy and shared commitment to building stronger communities. ![WEDN](https://39772556.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/39772556/hubfs/WEDN.jpeg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WEDN.jpeg) **1** Gracie, Lauren, and other attendees from surrounding regions. ![WEDN 2](https://39772556.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/39772556/hubfs/WEDN%202.jpeg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WEDN%202.jpeg) **2** The 2026 WEDN Lead & Learn Agenda ![Untitled design (7)](https://39772556.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/39772556/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(7).png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Untitled%20design%20(7).png) **3**Lauren & Gracie on the last day of the 2026 WEDN Lead & Learn Forum ![Default image alt text](//7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7528315/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/slider-dark-image.jpg) **4** An optional caption for the image that will be added to the gallery. Enter any descriptive text for this image that you would like visitors to be able to read. ![Default image alt text](//7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7528302/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/slider-light-image.jpg) **5** An optional caption for the image that will be added to the gallery. Enter any descriptive text for this image that you would like visitors to be able to read. ## Read On [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0625%20copy-2.jpg?width=352&name=IMG_0625%20copy-2.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/prolec-ge-waukesha-inc.-is-expanding-its-goldsboro-facility-0) ##### [Pelsan Tekstil A.S. is coming to ParkEast Industrial Park in Goldsboro, NC](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/prolec-ge-waukesha-inc.-is-expanding-its-goldsboro-facility-0) 🎉Great news for Wayne County, NC! On May 27th, Governor Josh Stein announced thatPelsan Tekstil... [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rotory%20Banner-2.jpg?width=352&name=Rotory%20Banner-2.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/edrs-trey-cash-presents-to-rotary-club-of-kinston) ##### [EDR’s Trey Cash Presents To Rotary Club Of Kinston](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/edrs-trey-cash-presents-to-rotary-club-of-kinston) Trey Cash, Economic Development Director for Lenoir County, was the guest speaker at the May... [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sissors-Ribbon%20Images-2.jpg?width=352&name=Sissors-Ribbon%20Images-2.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/ribbon-cutting-held-for-ivey-drive-within-parkeast-industrial-park-in-wayne-county) ##### [Ribbon Cutting Held For Ivey Drive Within ParkEast Industrial Park in Wayne County](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/ribbon-cutting-held-for-ivey-drive-within-parkeast-industrial-park-in-wayne-county) The event celebrated the opening of a new access road that will meet the demands of the rapidly... ![Heart of Eastern NC-EDR Logo-1](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heart%20of%20Eastern%20NC-EDR%20Logo-1.jpg?width=300&height=144&name=Heart%20of%20Eastern%20NC-EDR%20Logo-1.jpg "Heart of Eastern NC-EDR Logo-1") North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving as the pivotal hub for industrial development, business recruitment, and site selection throughout Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties and the North Carolina Global TransPark. Address 2780 Jetport Road Suite D Kinston, NC 28504 Phone (252) 543-8550 --- [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?viewas=100000686899395&id=100069259629309) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-global-transpark-economic-development-region/?viewAsMember=true) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@NCGlobalTransParkEconomicDevel) [Email us](mailto:info@ncgtpedr.com) © 2026  North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Inc. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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