Our Story

In late 2021, three local leaders in our community identified a need to rebuild a resource for Young Professionals that the COVID pandemic had disrupted. On a cold December morning over coffee in Downtown Blowing Rock, the concept of CORE was born from the minds of its founding members; Suzy Barker Greene, PJ Hennessey, &; Laura Edmonds. Throughout early 2022, our founders worked with Matt Wagoner of FireTower Creative to create the brand and namesake for CORE. "Local Leaders Building Community". CORE's founding principles revolve around 3 pillars of focus to provide to the next generation of the High Country's leaders: Networking Opportunities, Leadership Development, and Community-Centered Philanthropy. CORE continues to grow in the opportunities and involvement it offers to the Blowing Rock community through the Chamber of Commerce and with the guidance of our dedicated leadership team.