Staff Spotlight: Mary Lou Bourne
When Mary Lou Bourne first read about NCInnovation, she immediately knew she had found something special. “I saw it as my dream job—one I never imagined would exist,” she said.
As NCInnovation’s Senior Regional Innovation Network Director for the Charlotte area, Bourne brings two decades of experience building innovation ecosystems and transforming research into real-world impact. Before joining NCI, she spent nearly 20 years at James Madison University, where she served as Director of Technology Innovation and Economic Development. There, she launched a nonprofit corporation to license patents and hold equity in startups. That work grew into a statewide effort to strengthen Virginia’s entrepreneurial network.
That same builder’s mindset now drives her work across the Charlotte region. “My background has always been about creating and growing something from a need and a vision—getting innovations to market,” she said.
At the center of her hub is UNC Charlotte, a university on the rise and one of only three in North Carolina ranked among the top 75 public research institutions nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2026). “There’s so much talent and incredible research coming out of UNC Charlotte,” Bourne said. “From faculty breakthroughs to student ingenuity, it’s a place full of momentum.”
She’s equally inspired by the region’s partnerships—from grid modernization initiatives at the North Tryon Tech Hub, to life sciences and medtech growth at The Pearl, to advances in rail and smart manufacturing. “This region has the right ingredients—research excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and an economic engine that connects innovation directly to workforce and community growth.”
Looking ahead, Bourne envisions multiple interconnected innovation districts that unite startups, investors, and researchers across industries. “Our goal is density—creating spaces where ideas collide and companies thrive,” she said.
For her, it all ties back to NCInnovation’s mission. “Everything we do is about supporting researchers and their innovations by connecting them with resources, funding, and experts to create products, companies, and jobs across North Carolina.”
