Tim Gabel, RTI International CEO, Receives Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award
North Carolina leaders gathered at the 2026 NC Global Advantage Forum to explore how artificial intelligence, global engagement and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen the state's future.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. | November 5, 2026 — Leaders from business, education, government and nonprofit organizations gathered Thursday for the eighth annual NC Global Advantage Forum at RTI International headquarters in Research Triangle Park.
Presented by the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness in partnership with Global NC, this year's Forum centered on “From Local Strength to Global Reach: How AI and Cross-Sector Collaboration Position North Carolina for the World.” Discussions focused on artificial intelligence, education, workforce development, economic opportunity and the role of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening North Carolina's global competitiveness.
A highlight of the Forum was the presentation of the Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award to Tim Gabel, president and CEO of RTI International.
Named in honor of former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain, founder of the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness, the award recognizes North Carolinians whose leadership, vision and commitment have strengthened the state's connections with people, communities and partners around the world.
Tim Gabel became RTI International’s President and Chief Executive Officer in 2022, leading RTI’s evolution into a more unified, responsive, and technology-enabled institute positioned for long-term growth. During his tenure, RTI achieved its North Star goal of positively impacting the well-being of one billion people through science-based solutions five years ahead of schedule and established a new ambition to improve the lives of billions.
For NC Positive, this recognition holds special meaning. We had the privilege of interviewing Gabel and featuring his leadership in our Brilliant Minds of North Carolina series. Seeing his leadership recognized with this award is a proud reminder of the extraordinary individuals creating a positive impact in North Carolina and beyond.
North Carolina Leaders Look Toward the Future
The Forum brought together leaders from across sectors, with opening participants including Meredith Henderson of Global NC, Tim Gabel of RTI International, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley and North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
Phaedra Boinodiris, Global Lead of IBM Consulting's Responsible AI Practice, delivered the keynote, “AI for the Rest of Us.” Panel discussions explored how North Carolina can equip the next generation with global competencies and AI literacy, as well as how AI, innovation and collaboration can strengthen the state's position in the global marketplace.
The Forum also highlighted the Global Innovation Center at Asheboro City Schools and its efforts to advance innovation and technology in education.
Connecting North Carolina to the World
The N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness, coordinated by Global NC, brings together leaders from business, education, government, agriculture, economic development and nonprofit organizations. Founded in 2013 by Jim Fain, the statewide public-private partnership works to advance North Carolina's global engagement and economic competitiveness.
Thursday's Forum reflected that spirit of collaboration, bringing leaders from different sectors together around a shared vision for North Carolina's future.
For NC Positive, that vision aligns closely with our mission to highlight the people, organizations and stories creating a meaningful, positive impact across North Carolina.
We are honored to have shared Tim Gabel's leadership story and proud to see another Brilliant Mind of North Carolina recognized for leadership that helps connect our state to the world.
Congratulations to Tim Gabel on receiving the Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award, and to Global NC and the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness for bringing North Carolina leaders together to connect, collaborate and help shape the state's global future.
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Community Impact
FROM HURRICANE HELENE RESPONSE TO A BROADER PARTNERSHIP: NC COURAGE AND UNITED WAY OF NORTH CAROLINA
A collaboration that emerged during a time of need has developed into an ongoing partnership connecting two organizations with a shared commitment to North Carolina communities.
By NC Positive Editorial Team
Published November 4, 2026 | North Carolina
When Hurricane Helene brought widespread challenges to Western North Carolina in 2024, organizations across the state looked for ways to respond.
Among them were NC Courage and United Way of North Carolina.
Following the storm, NC Courage reached out to United Way of North Carolina to explore how the organizations could work together to support affected communities. That outreach led to fundraising efforts benefiting Western North Carolina and established a relationship that would eventually extend beyond disaster response.
In 2025, the two organizations formalized a broader partnership, creating additional opportunities to engage supporters, encourage community involvement and bring greater visibility to work taking place across North Carolina.
A Partnership Built Through Action
What began as a response to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene developed into a partnership combining the reach of professional women's soccer with United Way of North Carolina's statewide community network.
United Way of North Carolina works alongside 47 local United Ways, while NC Courage brings the visibility of professional sports and an established community of fans and supporters.
Together, the organizations have created additional opportunities to connect North Carolinians with ways to give, get involved and learn more about organizations serving communities throughout the state.
“The North Carolina Courage has always believed a club is only as strong as the community behind it,” said Courage Team President Francie Gottsegen. “Partnering with United Way of North Carolina lets us put the passion of our fans and the platform of professional women’s soccer to work for people across our state, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together.”
A New Milestone: $37,500 Raised
This past weekend, United Way of North Carolina received the final check from the fundraising effort, bringing the total amount raised through the initiative to $37,500.
The milestone represents a tangible result of the collaboration and demonstrates how an effort that began in response to a community need developed into a broader relationship between the two organizations.
"Our Community Impact Partnership with the North Carolina Courage has been a powerful example of how sports can bring people together for good," said Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO of United Way of North Carolina. "By working together on our commitments to service, we have expanded awareness of local needs, strengthened support for local United Ways across the state, and created meaningful opportunities for communities to connect, engage, and thrive."
From Individual Leadership to Collective Impact
The partnership also holds a meaningful connection for NC Positive.
Francie Gottsegen, President of NC Courage, and Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO of United Way of North Carolina, have each previously been featured in NC Positive's Brilliant Minds of NC, where they shared their leadership journeys and the work of their respective organizations.
Now, the organizations they lead are connected through a partnership that offers another perspective on leadership: what can happen when organizations with different strengths and platforms come together around a shared purpose.
Their collaboration demonstrates how professional sports and a statewide community network can work together to broaden awareness, encourage engagement and support communities across North Carolina.
Connecting North Carolina's Positive Stories
The partnership between NC Courage and United Way of North Carolina reflects the purpose behind NC Positive Stories, a new section of the NC Positive website dedicated to highlighting partnerships, initiatives and connections creating meaningful impact across the state.
For NC Positive, this story is about more than a partnership.
It shows how an initial act of outreach during a time of need can develop into a relationship with the potential for continued impact.
It is a story of two organizations bringing different strengths to a common purpose and finding new ways to serve communities across the state.
That is the purpose of NC Positive Stories: to highlight the people, partnerships and ideas moving North Carolina forward.
About NC Positive Stories
NC Positive Stories is a section of NC Positive dedicated to highlighting partnerships, initiatives and connections creating a positive impact across North Carolina. Through original storytelling, NC Positive explores how people and organizations are working together to strengthen communities across the state.
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Reporting by NC Positive. Background information about the partnership was provided by NC Courage and United Way of North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of NC Courage.