Heather McWhorter

I am passionate about empowering people and communities to thrive through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability. As Director of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), I work collaboratively with community and university partners, alongside a team of staff, faculty, students, and volunteers, to grow southeastern North Carolina into a vibrant hub of innovation. Together, we nurture emerging startups and innovations, accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and connect innovators with resources that spark regional and global impact.

I believe entrepreneurship can unlock human potential. It provides youth, students, faculty, and community with opportunities to turn ideas into action, to lead and live with purpose, and to create solutions that make a difference. Under my leadership, CIE provides programs, mentorship, partnerships, and a collision space that fosters collaboration, creativity, and resilience.

In addition to my role at UNCW, I serve in leadership positions that extend my impact across North Carolina. For example, I am a Board Director with NC IDEA, an independent private foundation that empowers North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential through grants, programs, and partnerships. Locally, I serve as Vice Chair of the Leland Economic Development Committee, where I collaborate to shape policies that foster smart growth of a rapidly growing community. Leadership roles like these allow me to bridge university, community, and statewide perspectives, ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship efforts are aligned and future-focused.

My career has been devoted to empowering people and building entrepreneurial ecosystems. Prior to UNCW, I served as Director of the Penn State SBDC and PennTAP, and led Penn State’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Outreach Initiatives. At Penn State, I helped launch signature programs that still exist more than a decade later.

With a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, an M.S. in Energy and Mineral Engineering, and a Professional Engineer license, I bring both technical expertise and proven leadership to my work. My strengths include building high-performing teams, securing and managing diverse funding streams, and designing programs that last.

Areas of focus:
-Entrepreneurship & innovation ecosystems
-Economic & workforce development
-Sustainable & social entrepreneurship
-Research/technology commercialization

I believe thriving entrepreneurial communities create more than businesses—they create opportunity, resilience, and lasting impact. Let's connect.