2 Burke residents among Leadership NC class

Michelle M. Reed and Beth Heile, both of Morganton, are among the 56 civic and community leaders from across North Carolina selected for the 2026-27 class of Leadership North Carolina.

Reed is the chief nursing officer at Atrium Health in Burke. Heile is executive director of Burke River Trail Association.

The organization’s Class 34 includes leaders from government, business, nonprofit organizations, and education. Participants will take part in seven, two-and-a-half-day sessions focused on issues affecting the state.

Topics include economic development, education, the environment, government, health and human services, and inclusive leadership. Sessions include discussions with public officials and professionals, field trips, and other learning activities.

The program is held in communities across the state. Class 34 gathered in New Bern last week for orientation and will meet in Raleigh in November for a session on government and in Greensboro in December for a session on education.

Additional sessions will be held in Durham, Greenville, Charlotte, and Asheville.

Leadership North Carolina selects a new class each year through an application and selection process aimed at bringing together established and emerging leaders from across the state.

See the full list of participants online at thepaper.media.

— AKC