Speakers

Janet Cowell was elected Mayor of Raleigh in 2024.

Janet brings a deep commitment to public service that stems from her family upbringing. Her father who was a Methodist minister and her mother who was a school teacher.

Janet’s most recent path to city hall was shaped by a prior fifteen years of elected public service, including as Raleigh city councilor, NC State Senator and State Treasurer. She was the first and only woman to serve as State Treasurer and oversaw $100 billion in pension assets and health benefits for nearly a million public sector workers and retirees.

Throughout her career, Janet has brought people together: across neighborhoods, across sectors, and across the aisle. Prior to being elected Mayor, Janet led the Dix Park Conservancy as President & CEO and raised $40 million in private funds for the creation of Gipson Play Plaza as well as restoration of the historic chapel and stone houses.

Janet earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. More than title or credentials, Janet is guided by her commitment to Raleigh and her belief that people flourish when they are connected with their neighbors and meaningfully engaged in their community.

Zelle Dunn is a managing partner of New Republic Partners and a member of the firm’s leadership team. She leads the firm’s day-to-day operations and heads the firm’s North Carolina advisory team. She also advises a portfolio of individuals and families on strategies and investment solutions to achieve their goals.

She brings over two decades of experience in wealth advisory and investment management. Prior to joining New Republic Partners, she served as a vice president at Merrill Lynch where she worked with high-net-worth individuals and families on investments and wealth planning.

Zelle worked in the private wealth management group at Morgan Stanley in New York for 15 years advising family offices and high-net-worth individuals on investment opportunities and financial planning.

She began her career at Centura Bank, spending time in both Raleigh and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Zelle graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in political science. She serves on the board of St. Catherine’s School Foundation in Richmond, Virginia, and the advisory board of HopeWay in Charlotte. She is a member of the Mint Museum Auxiliary and a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church where she is a former elder and former member of the outreach council.