Meet Our Staff
Margaret Collins, Founding Executive Director
CCE was launched from the work Margaret directed at the Piedmont Triad Partnership based in Greensboro. She led the creative economy initiative between 2007-2011. Prior to her move to North Carolina, she worked in New York City as an Artist Manager and Senior Booking Representative for ICM Artists. Her work entailed booking concert engagements for the ICMA roster throughout the Southeast, managing soloists and attractions. Other positions held in NYC include Shaw Concerts, Vice President, and Frank Salomon Associates, Artist Manager.
Collins has been named a Triad Power Player by the Triad Business Journal and serves on the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Triad Film Commission. Nationally, she is a co-founder of the Creative Economy Coalition. Originally from Shelby, NC, Collins attended Wake Forest University and UNC School of the Arts receiving a B. A. in music from WFU studying trombone and piano. In Washington DC, she received an M.A. from The American University in Performing Arts: Arts Management. Margaret enjoys playing in the Winston-Salem Community Band, practicing yoga, and hiking on scenic trails. Her husband Ray Collins is the founder of TrueVoice, a vocal presentation coaching business. They have a son, Michael, who is studying Radio and TV broadcasting. Connect with Margaret at margaret@ccetriad.com.
Angela Huntley, Marketing & Communications Manager
Angela Huntley is a 25-year veteran in Media Marketing and Advertising. She specializes in media campaigns, graphic design, and nonprofit marketing. Her entrepreneurial ventures include owning and operating a coffee shop, independent insurance agent, and she currently owns a book publishing & coaching firm where she guides writers through the world of self-publishing. She is also the Author of the popular children’s book series; They Call Me Ham. Angela has a passion for working with entrepreneurs and helping organizations thrive. When she is not working, Angela enjoys reading, home décor and RV travel with her family.
Ashley Morgan, Program & Operations Coordinator
As a Program and Operations Coordinator at the Center for Creative Economy, Ashley brings 15 years of experience in public education and a passion for organization and planning. With a Masters of Library and Information Science and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, she is fueled by knowledge and creativity. When not busy making magic happen behind the scenes, you can find her cuddled up with a good book, getting crafty with DIY projects, or taking fun-filled classes. Living in Kernersville with her husband Chris and daughter Luna keeps her heart full.
Emily Wolf, Program & Operations Assistant
Emily is joining the Center for Creative Economy after graduating from the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis. She studied management, marketing, and supply chain management with a certificate in New Venture Creation. Emily has a passion for small businesses and hopes to eventually open her own creative cake business. In the meantime, Emily is assisting with Programming and Operations.
Juana Ramirez Manriquez, Marketing & Communications Assistant
Juana is a student at Winston Salem State University studying motorsports marketing. She is passionate about connecting individuals with ideas and interests through communication and public relations. She participated in Salem Colleges Model United Nations Team. Being the recipient of a Position Paper Award at the National Model United Nations Conference, New York, 2022. She is looking to learn about the world of public relations and communications to better sharpen her skills.
Jody Cauthen, Development Consultant
Jody joins the CCE team with over 25 years experience in nonprofit management where she has supervised intricate marketing and development initiatives for various local non-profit organizations including The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, East Greensboro NOW, Triad Stage and the Community Theatre of Greensboro.
In the realm of academic entrepreneurship, Jody designed and launched the Arts Administration major and minor degree program/curriculum at UNCG and served as Program Director from 2014-2017 where she grew program enrollment 2150% in 3 years.
Jody has enjoyed a “side hustle” career as a nonprofit consultant and has served as moderator and participant in such conferences/seminars as The Association of Arts Administration Educators, Wake Forest University Creativity Conference, The UNCG Bryan School of Business’s Entrepreneurship in the Arts forum, The Art of Public Memory Conference, Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), and the Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts annual conference. Additionally, she is a licensed grant writer with SenWorks, and actively collaborates with fellow “Unicorn Grant Writers” through that network. In her spare time, she’s an avid gardener, “amateur” chef and food anthropologist, and a lover of all things involving coffee or wine.