Appointed President & CEO of Carolina Community Impact, Unveils Bold Vision for Inclusive Economic Growth
Carolina Community Impact (CCI) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. A nationally recognized leader in economic development, energy policy, and inclusive finance, Dr. McKoy brings decades of cross-sector experience to this pivotal role.
Dr. McKoy most recently held two senior presidential appointments under the Biden Administration. As the founding Director of the U.S. Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the Department of Energy, he oversaw a $16 billion portfolio impacting over 250 million Americans. He later served as Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary for Science and Innovation, helping to shape the nation’s investment in emerging technologies and industries.
His career spans leadership roles in state government, academia, banking, and entrepreneurship. From serving as North Carolina’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce to leading entrepreneurship programs at Duke, UNC, and NCCU, Dr. McKoy has consistently championed equity, innovation, and impact.
Now at the helm of CCI, Dr. McKoy is launching a transformative vision to redefine what a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) can be. His strategic roadmap includes:
A New Frame: Public-Purpose Private Capital Markets
Dr. McKoy envisions CCI as a revolutionary fund—an “Alternative Asset CDFI”—that leverages innovative financial tools, deconcentrates risk, and attracts higher-risk capital to scale impact. By expanding beyond traditional funding sources, CCI will tap into public, private, philanthropic, and academic networks to fuel inclusive growth.
Growth Through Innovation and Acquisition
CCI will pursue both operational and acquisition-based growth, expanding its geographic footprint, product offerings, and sector engagement. From managed funds to technology commercialization, the organization will evolve into a dynamic platform for underserved entrepreneurs.
“CCI has the opportunity to be a revolutionary force in community finance,” said Dr. McKoy. “We’re not just helping clients survive—we’re helping them thrive, innovate, and lead. Our goal is to unlock capital, build resilient ecosystems, and create a new model for inclusive prosperity.”
A Five-Year Strategic Timeline
This plan has been organized over a 5-year timeline, with specific milestones anticipated across years, such as:
- 2025: Strategic planning, investor and public relations, portfolio monitoring
- 2026: Aggressive fundraising, product expansion, acquisition exploration
- 2027–2029: Smart growth, revenue acceleration, adaptive strategy execution based on market and political shifts
Three Pillars of Impact
We believe this work will generate important outcomes, such as expanding capital solutions and technological access, and empower clients with both the financial knowledge and tools to improve their economic wellbeing.
Strategic Alignment with ICMM
CCI’s mission and approach are closely aligned with the Institute for Consumer Money Management (ICMM), which shares a commitment to equity, innovation, and community-centered development. ICMM is excited to collaborate with CCI under Dr. McKoy’s leadership, particularly in advancing research and piloting innovative projects that strengthen both organizations’ core and expanded services.
“I am thrilled to see Dr. Henry McKoy take the helm at Carolina Community Impact…”, says Dr. Diane Chen, Founder and Executive Director of ICMM. “…His visionary leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to equity make him an ideal partner in advancing inclusive economic development. I look forward to working with Dr. McKoy to co-create evidence-based solutions that strengthen communities across North Carolina and beyond. Together, we will explore novel and innovative approaches to research, pilot programming, and service expansion—grounded in authenticity, collaboration, and impact.”
Together, ICMM and CCI aim to elevate inclusive economic ecosystems through evidence-based strategies and bold experimentation.
For more information, visit www.ccifund.org.
