2025 Economic Update Program

2025

ECONOMIC UPDATE LUNCHEON

Presenting Sponsor

AGENDA

Welcome Remarks and Sponsor Thanks Brent Christensen President & CEO, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Sponsor Remarks and Video Carolina Ko, Bank of America Chamber Remarks/Local Update Brent Christensen Lunch Introduction of Keynote Speaker Sapna Tejpal, Bank of America Keynote Speaker Jeseo Park, US Economist & Associate Bank of America Closing Remarks Brent Christensen

SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors Guilford Technical Community College PNC Bank Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine, Inc.

Jeseo Park US Economist, Bank of America Securities

BIOS

Jeseo Park is a US Economist and Associate. Park has a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, and a degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is based in New York.

Brent Christensen President & CEO Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

BIOS

In June 2015, Brent Christensen joined the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce as its President and CEO, where he leads the organization that includes Greensboro’s lead economic development organization as well as Launch Greensboro and Action Greensboro.

Under Christensen’s leadership, the Chamber worked with the High Point Economic Development Corporation to form the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, uniting the county’s economic development efforts under one organization for the first time.

Over the past five years, the Chamber’s economic development efforts have resulted in the announcement of more than 8,800 new jobs and $5 billion in private capital investment in the Greensboro area. In 2022, the Chamber was awarded a 5-star Accreditation by the US Chamber of Commerce, placing it among the top two percent of chambers of commerce nationwide.

Before arriving in North Carolina, Christensen served for three years as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the state’s lead economic and community development agency. Prior to joining MDA, Christensen was the President and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce in Gainesville, FL. During his tenure, the chamber was awarded its 5-Star Accreditation by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Christensen holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Public Policy Studies from Duke University.

Carolina Ko Market Executive Senior Vice President Business Banking Bank of America

BIOS

Carolina is the Market Executive for Business Banking covering the Charlotte and Triad markets. She leads a team of banking professionals to deepen business client relationships from start-up to $50 million in revenue.

In 2011, Carolina joined Bank of America as an associate in the Investment Banking division. As part of the Investment Banking team, Carolina worked on Mergers & Acquisitions advisory and Capital Markets transactions for large corporate clients within the Consumer & Retail industry. Carolina also spent time in the COO division of Global Banking and Markets where she focused on Global Corporate & Investment Banking and Global Transaction Services. In 2016, Carolina joined Global Commercial Banking where she focused on helping middle market clients achieve their strategic goals, along with developing new business for the Bank.

Carolina holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Business Administration with a major in finance and a minor in entrepreneurship from the University of Florida.

Carolina is the Chair of Bank of America’s Hispanic-Latino Leadership Council in Charlotte. She is also a board member of The Harvest Center of Charlotte and a committee member of Charlotte Bilingual Preschool. She also volunteers with St. Gabriel Catholic School.

Carolina lives in Charlotte and spends her free time with her husband, 2 sons and yorkie.

Sapna Tejpal Senior Vice President, Senior Relations Banker Bank of America

BIOS

Sapna Tejpal is a Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Banker, with the Mid-Atlantic Business Banking Team. She leads a team of banking specialists whose mission is to provide strategic guidance and financial solutions to help clients achieve their goals. It starts with understanding the client’s business and then catering our services to foster growth and prosperity. We have extensive experience utilizing a varied set of strategies across many different industries.

Sapna started her career at Bank of America in San Diego, CA, as a part-time teller and has worked her way through consumer bank to her current role. She rejoined Bank of America in 2018 after working at another large financial institution in Greensboro market. She knows this market well and has served mid-sized companies throughout the Greensboro Triad area as commercial banker for more than 20 years.

Sapna received her B. Sc. From Calcutta University in India and was born and raised in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata).

She currently resides in Summerfield, NC, with her husband, Karan, and their 17-year-old twins, Gia and Aarian.

Sapna is very involved in her community. She served as Cochair for LEAD for Women. She is on the United Way of Greater Greensboro Board and an active member of the Women United committee with United Way as well. She was honored for achievement as Woman of Color by 100 Black Men Organization in 2011 and TBJ’s Outstanding Women in Business 2021. She is on the Executive Committee for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society since 2021 and has joined the Launch Greensboro Advisory Board.

Member Directory

DIRECTORY

We hope you enjoy the 2025 Economic Update Luncheon and have the opportunity to connect with many of the outstanding businesses and organizations that make up the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Each company you meet today represents the innovation, commitment, and community spirit driving Greensboro forward.

Want to learn more about the members you connected with —or discover others in our network? Explore our online directory, your trusted resource for finding the businesses shaping our community.

Thank you for supporting our members and championing the success of local businesses!

MEMBER DIRECTORY

Coffee & Conversation Join us at our next Coffee & Conversation to hear highlights from Cecelia Thompson, Executive Director of Action Greensboro, about the 2025 Community Vitals Report.

EVENTS

This year’s report dives into key areas shaping our future including demographic trends, city and county expenses and revenues, economic development, talent and workforce, transit, voting, housing, green spaces, and broadband access.

The Community Vitals Report goes beyond data—it’s a roadmap for understanding our challenges, leveraging opportunities, and taking intentional steps toward progress.

Where:

Sagewell Health & Fitness at MedCenter Greensboro 3518 Drawbridge Pkwy.

When:

Thursday, February 20 | 8:30-9:30 am

REGISTER

SAVE THE DATE: 2025 Economic Equity Day Date: Location:

Thursday, May 15 On the campus of North Carolina A&T State University

Economic Equity Day is a must-attend event that brings our business community together to explore how inclusive business practices, economic equity, and supplier diversity drive business growth and strengthen our local economy.

CIRCLE

Circle of Champions