2025 - Economic Summit & Executive Leadership Outlook

Economic Summit & CEO Panel Discussion
Date: December 9, 2025
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 AM
Location: Wilmington Convention Center
 
Start your morning with timely economic insights and leadership perspectives to help your business plan for the year ahead. The Wilmington Chamber’s Economic Summit & Executive Leadership Outlook will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and professionals to examine the key trends shaping our economy in 2025.
 
The program opens with an in-depth economic outlook from Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi, Associate Professor of Economics at UNCW, who will share analysis of Federal and state policy impacts on local governments.
 
Following the presentation, Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber, will moderate an Executive Leadership Panel featuring two of our region’s most influential public-sector leaders.
 
Featured Panelists:
 
Chris Coudriet, M.PAdm
County Manager, New Hanover County

Chris Coudriet serves as New Hanover County's chief administrator, overseeing a ~$500 million annual budget and maintaining responsibility for all departments under the general control of the five-member Board of Commissioners.

As county manager, Coudriet leads implementation of the county's strategic plan focused on three key areas: Workforce & Economic Development, Community Safety & Well-being, and Sustainable Land Use & Environmental Stewardship—all supported by principles of Good Governance.

Appointed in 2012, Coudriet brings more than 25 years of public administration experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from East Carolina University and a Master's in Public Administration from UNC Pembroke.

Coudriet serves in leadership positions with the National Association of Counties and received recognition from the NC Association of County Commissioners for his work on the opioid settlement committee.

A native of eastern North Carolina, Chris and his wife Leigh split their time between downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.


Becky Hawke
City Manager, City of Wilmington
 
Becky Hawke was appointed as City Manager for the City of Wilmington by Wilmington City Council on May 20, 2025, and started in her role one month later.
 
Hawke comes to the city from Matthews, North Carolina, where she has served as Town Manager and previously Assistant Town Manager since 2016. She brings more than 18 years of local government experience to the role, with extensive executive experience in organizational leadership and community engagement.

Prior to Matthews, Hawke spent over nine years in local government in Virginia, serving in executive roles for the Town of Christiansburg and City of Radford.
 
Hawke is a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM). She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Hollins University, an M.S. in Corporate and Professional Communication from Radford University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also holds a master’s Certificate in Human Resources Management from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA) through UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Government.


Join business and community leaders from the banking, construction, healthcare, and technology sectors for this high-impact morning of insights and networking.
 
Register now to reserve your seat.