LaChaun Banks

LaChaun Banks is Professor of the Practice of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Research Fellow at the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. She leads the American Growth Project initiative focused on place-based economic development and designs experiential learning programs for MBA students.

Her research examines economic development frameworks, leadership strategies in public-private partnerships, and regional growth models for rural communities.

Key affiliations:

• Former Associate Director of NCGrowth (Kenan Institute)
• Former Associate Director at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center for Democratic Governance
• Co-developer of the 'City Leader Guide for Equitable Economic Development' (Bloomberg Harvard Initiative)

Education:

• MBA, UNC Kenan-Flagler
• BA International Studies (Global Economics), UNC-Chapel Hill
• MPA & Certificate in Management, Harvard Kennedy School