WILMA’s 2021 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 WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, created to help develop more women leaders in our area.

Meet institute member REBEKAH ROTH.

Rebekah Roth

Title: Planning & Land Use Director

Company: New Hanover County

How long have you been with your current employer? Five years

Alma mater: UNCW for graduate school (Master of Public Administration, MA in English); Peace College (now William Peace University) for undergraduate.

Prior career experience: Senior long range planner, NHC Planning & Land Use (2016-2020); Planning administrator, Town of Burgaw (2011-2016); Community development coordinator, Town of Burgaw (2008-2011)

Current job responsibilities: “I lead a 15-member department that works with residents, stakeholders, and elected officials to develop data-based policies on how the land in the unincorporated county should be developed;  identifies and implement programs and regulations that will assist in achieving these goals, and administers the county’s development regulations through project review and analysis of development applications.“

Hobbies: “Reading (primarily novels and nonfiction about applied psychology, religion, and social sciences), practicing yoga, singing (in the choir at church during non-COVID times), long walks with my dog and husband, enjoying the area’s many restaurants and breweries, and spending time with my extended family.“

To learn more about WILMA’s Leadership Institute and Initiative, go to wilmamag.com/women-to-watch.

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