Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mackenzie Cates-Allen
President of Winston-Salem Ambassadors
Winston-Salem, NC
mackenzie@wsambassadors.org
(336) 794-6050

The Creation of Winston-Salem Ambassadors Announced

May 31, 2017 – The Board of Advisors of the brand new, not-for-profit, Winston-Salem Ambassadors, Inc. is proud to announce their existence in the city of Winston-Salem and in the state of North Carolina. A tax-exempt organization (EIN 81-4170578) the mission of Winston-Salem Ambassadors is to create and increase awareness of the city of Winston-Salem. The Board of Advisors is comprised of 12 passionate community members. Jordan Googe, Anne Donovan, Sandy Meeks and Lindsey Howard make up the executive leadership and Amanda Hoey, Tim Beeman, Max Maxwell, Kristina Welch and Maura Paterson, Christy Spencer and Diana Westrick are Board Members.

Led by founder, President & Chief Ambassador Mackenzie Cates-Allen of Winston-Salem, the Ambassadors is a group who loves Winston-Salem and want to tell everyone about it. Singing the praises of the wonderful people and businesses that are here, they emphasize being welcoming, being inclusive and the fact that Winston-Salem is a community. “We are always seeking to include people in that community and welcome them,” Mackenzie says. “Winston-Salem has shown me so much love and I wanted to do the same for others.” The Ambassadors believe that innovation can exist in many forms. “Achieving innovation is possible especially when you focus on being open-minded and willing to learn and grow.”

Board Member Tim Beeman, who runs a popular series of podcasts in Winston-Salem, says, “I believe that making people more aware of its goings-on, of its commitment to its residents and how to be more involved with the greater good will only strengthen the city’s value.”  Board Member Christy Spencer of JKS and The Winston Cup Museum says, “”I love the idea of a diverse group of people with the common goal of promoting Winston-Salem and bringing others together.  The Ambassadors mission aligns with our city’s growth and vitality and I definitely want to be a part of that.”

Winston-Salem Ambassadors has just launched their Ambassadorship program and welcome all people who love Winston-Salem to apply.

The Ambassadors hold information sessions and workshops about the city’s strengths and possibilities for the future on a quarterly basis.

On May 14th, the Ambassadors hosted Second Sundays on 4th. This free family-friendly outdoor event series, one of only two this year, (May 14th and October 8th from 3-6 pm,) was presented by the Ambassadors with the support of the 4CM group that established this event and Flow Companies. For more information, check out sso4.com, or on Facebook under Second Sundays on Fourth.

The Winston-Salem Ambassadors love Winston-Salem and strive to lift up its existing businesses and residents, thereby making the city a better place. They envision a strong economy and a thriving city where you can live, work, enjoy, connect and learn. Winston-Salem Ambassadors values inclusivity, innovation, intelligence, passion and hard work. They appreciate their history, recognize their present and look forward to the future.

For more information, please check out the website at wsambassadors.org or contact Mackenzie Cates-Allen at (336) 794-6050, at mackenzie@wsambassadors.org or on social media.

Would you like to BE an Ambassador?

Would you like to BE an Ambassador for Winston-Salem? Love Winston-Salem and like to talk about it?

To become an Ambassador, check out the requirements here … Ambassadorship Program and email mackenzie@wsambassadors.org to apply! We can’t wait to have you with us!

“You must agree to abide by the code of conduct/ethics, Inclusivity Agreement, Nondisclosure/Confidentiality Agreement and our Mission, Vision, Values.”

https://wsambassadors.wordpress.com/ambassadorship-program/

Executive Board Leadership Elected

The 2017 Board of Advisors has elected Jordan Googe as Chair of the Board. 

“A Camel City native, Jordan has been a staple of North Carolina in entertainment, economic development, real estate & civic engagement for more than two decades. An alumnus of UNC School of the Arts & High Point University, Jordan has appeared in over 100 commercials, stage productions, TV shows, Indie & Studio films. During his tenure with Davidson County Economic Development Commission, they were awarded #1 Micropolitan Economic Development Organization in America (2007 & 2010), & Ranked in Top 10 Economic Development Organizations Overall in North America (2010).  Awarded Junior Chamber International’s highest honor in 2011, he is JCI Senator #70375. He also serves as 2017 North Carolina Junior Chamber Triad Regional Director, & was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Authoring Action, an Arts based non profit that plugs at-risk youth into filmmaking, spoken word art, creative writing & leadership training. A strident advocate for filmmakers & artists who chose to live in North Carolina, he was named 2016 Volunteer of the Year by RiverRun International Film Festival, & is going into his 5th year working with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation in North Carolina & Virginia.  Jordan is honored to serve as the Chair of Winston-Salem Ambassadors in their first year, & welcomes you to the City of Arts & Innovation.”

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The 2017 Board of Advisors has elected Anne Alexander Donovan as Vice-Chair of the Board. 

“Anne Alexander Donovan moved to the Piedmont Triad in 2004 for an undergraduate education at Salem College and fell in love with the city of Winston-Salem. Since then, she has earned a Master’s Degree from Wake Forest University, worked for Forsyth Country Club, engaged in local social justice issues, sings around town with a few local bands, and loves her work as the Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator for adult education at Salem College. ”

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Ambassadors President Chosen

The 2017 Board of Advisors has hired Mackenzie Cates-Allen to serve as President of Winston-Salem Ambassadors.

With a Bachelor of Arts from Salem College in not-for-profit management, Mackenzie has over 12 years of experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit worlds, including real estate, education, administration, as well as asset and staff management. Most recently, Mackenzie served as the Development Manager at the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership. She is married to a computer programmer and has two young girls, 1 and 3.

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Growing up in Greensboro/Pleasant Garden, Mackenzie came to Winston-Salem in 2004 to attend Salem College. Starting with the YWCA of Winston-Salem upon graduation in 2008, Mackenzie began to fully fall in love with the city, but it wasn’t until coming to the DWSP that she realized it. “I love meeting and connecting with new people.”

Her favorite thing about Winston-Salem is its pioneering spirit. “First, the Moravians came from really far away and created a successful town out of nothing, not to mention that they started the first educational institution(s) for young girls and young women. Then, Winston became THE tobacco town and stayed that way for a long time. When that went away, everyone kind of freaked out. Winston-Salem had to figure out how it was going to survive and by gosh, it did. The people of this city are so determined. I love it.”

She is excited to serve in a leadership role and work with the existing organizations of Winston-Salem. “I so admire the people who are here working so hard to make their organizations better and to make the city better. It has inspired me to jump in and contribute however I can. The Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce, WSBI and the Hispanic League and so many others, and just… our amazing educational institutions and all of our small businesses are world class. Winston-Salem is the best.”

You can usually find her at one of the great coffee shops that dot Downtown or at any time at mackenzie@wsambassadors.org.