On May 13, WithersRavenel’s Don Mizelle graduated from the class of Leadership Wilmington 2019, sponsored by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership Wilmington is a ten-month program designed to address leadership skills/styles, community issues and challenges, the dynamics of regional social and economic change, and diversity. The program includes an orientation social, a two-day retreat, eight all-day sessions, and Work On Wilmington, an annual day of volunteer service. Participants are selected from corporate, business, education, professional, non-profit and governmental sectors.
When asked why he wanted to join the program, Don explained, “At the time I had recently relocated with WithersRavenel to Wilmington, and I knew that Leadership Wilmington would provide me with an opportunity to learn more about the area’s history, dynamics, issues, and challenges.”
Don is the Director of Land Development for the Wilmington Office, where he specializes in entitlements and comprehensive project management for the firm’s clients. He also assists with business development efforts in the Coastal region. He noted with pride that the program exposed him to “the great work being done by our governmental, institutional, and not-for-profit organizations.”
As part of his involvement in Leadership Wilmington, Don was selected as co-chair of the Work on Wilmington Projects Committee. In this role he was charged with evaluating project applications from not-for-profit organizations for inclusion in the Work on Wilmington program.
“It was great collaborating with my classmates on Work on Wilmington, a community-wide day of volunteering organized and led by each year’s Leadership class,” Don said. “It is truly gratifying to know how many groups and individuals are at work serving this community.”
Like many other graduates, Don expects to remain highly engaged even though the program has concluded. “I plan to become more involved in the Wilmington community, most likely through service with a not-for-profit organization,” he shared. “I also made many new friends through this program and look forward to building those relationships as well.”
Don is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners, and he holds a bachelor of arts in geography from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Prior to joining WithersRavenel, he worked for several private development companies and in public service for the Town of Holly Springs.
Congratulations to Don Mizelle and the other graduates of Leadership Wilmington!
