Profile
Adrienne Cole is the president and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber and leads the Triangle’s largest business membership organization representing two-thirds of the private sector employment in Wake County. In this role, Adrienne and her team support the interests of the local business community while building a thriving regional economy, enhancing the community’s quality of life, and strengthening member businesses. Adrienne’s core focus areas are economic development, diversity, equity and inclusivity, government affairs, transportation, workforce development, talent, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and supporting small business.
Adrienne is a graduate of Meredith College and received a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University. Adrienne serves on numerous boards including the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Chair of the Metro Cities Council of ACCE, the Board and Executive Committee of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP), the Meredith College Board of Trustees and Chair of the Meredith College Business and Finance Committee, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance Board of Directors, The 50 Group Board of Directors, the City Club Raleigh Board of Governors, The St. Augustine’s University President’s Council and is a member of several business and civic organizations in the Triangle.
Under Adrienne’s leadership, the Chamber and Wake County Economic Development led economic development project wins totaling $5.24 billion and 23,600 jobs since 2014. Adrienne has been the recipient of the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award and CEO of the Year award. She has also been recognized by Business NC in their Power List. Adrienne was the recipient of the TCREW Impact Award in 2023.
Adrienne and her husband Walt live in Raleigh and have three children.
