WILMA’s Leadership Institute: Meet Lydia Thomas
Snapshot of this year's Leadership Institute members
WILMA’s 2025 Leadership Institute, an annual nine-month program, gives area women the opportunity to learn from leaders in the region, visit a range of local companies, and serve as each others’ personal board of directors.
The program is part of the WILMA Leadership Initiative, created to help develop more women leaders in our area.
Meet institute member LYDIA THOMAS.
Lydia Thomas
Title: Program Manager
Company: UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
How long have you been with your current employer? 1.5 years
Alma Mater: NC State University
Prior career experience: Program Manager at First Flight Venture Center (April 2022-November 2023), Investment Intern at SeaAhead Inc. (June 2021-April 2022), Marine Science Research (including animal behavior research at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium, juvenile blue crab study, and Bahamian blue hole study) at NC State University (January 2020-May 2022)
Current job responsibilities: In her position, Lydia manages educational programs (i.e. Founders’ Roundtable, Idea Test Lab), organizes events such as the annual Ocean Innovation Conference, and connects entrepreneurs to resources that accelerate their growth. Her work is centered around creating opportunities for innovation, particularly in the emerging blue economy sector.
Hobbies: I love gardening and I am growing (or trying to grow) a cut flower garden for this summer, reading, water coloring, visiting the beach to look for shells, and explore.
To learn more about WILMA’s Leadership Institute and Initiative, go to https://www.wilmamag.com/leadership/
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