DARLENE DEBERRY

Darlene Deberry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from SUNY Old Westbury. As a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship recipient, Darlene obtained a Master of Science Degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School of Social Research in New York. Her career includes working with a number of Community Development Financial Institutions such as Self-Help and the NC Rural Economic Development Center as a program assistant and micro-enterprise portfolio manager. With a penchant for small business Darlene pursued her own entrepreneurial dream by owning and operating an Edible Arrangements franchise for 12 years with locations in the Durham and Raleigh markets. Prior to joining the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Darlene has served as an Adjunct Professor with Durham Technical Community College in the Business Administration program. She also finds time to re-invest in her community serving as a board member of the Institute for the Development Young Leaders for the past three years. Darlene is currently enrolled at the UNC Charlotte Belk School of Business where she is pursuing a doctoral degree in business administration. She is using her studies to leverage entrepreneurship development in the state. Darlene’s research interest includes exploring industry shifts and the resiliency of women-lead organizations in the wake of the digital age and the ever-changing landscape of cultural competency in today’s workplace.