The CDC reports increased anxiety, overdoses and generalized stress as the mental impacts from the economic and social fallout of COVID continues to be seen and felt in both personal and professional ways.

We take a look at what that means for businesses, schools and families.

Panelists:

Jennifer Weber, Chief Human Resources Officer, ADM

Dr. Cynthia Ackrill. Stress Mastery Strategist

Myque Harris, MS, LCMHC, Integrative Psychotherapist

Dr. Steve Shoemaker, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church

Panelists: Laura Cantral, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation League

Dr. Patton McDowell, President, PMA Consulting

In this Executive Profile we discuss shifting strategies after COVID, inside the Governor's announcement lifting the mask mandate, the problem with herd immunity, what COVID taught us about science and modeling, the departments partnership with education, and vaccine distribution.

From changes to the department, to lessons from COVID, the learning gap and controversial new methods for teaching we talk to Catherine Truitt about her first 6 months in office.

Panelists:

Joe Waters

Co-Founder and CEO, Capita

Leslie Boney

Director, Institute for Emerging Issues

NC State University

The electric vehicle race is on and a North Carolina company is positioned to lead the way in providing lithium batteries.

We talk government regulation, incentives, environmental concerns and what a proposed mining project could mean for the region.

Panelists:

Antjuan Seawright,

Founder and CEO, Blueprint Strategy

J. Michael Bitzer, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Politics

Catawba College

What's the concern over South Carolina's Port? Will the embattled utility Santee Cooper be sold? We get answers from South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. Plus, political moves in the Statehouse and who he says is the real competitor for South Carolina's economic development,

Panelists: Christopher Chung, CEO, The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and Jody Bryson, President and CEO, South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center.

Anita Zucker, Chair and CEO of InterTech Group, is a former educator and prominent philanthropist of educational endeavors.

She shares her concerns regarding the state of education and says the time for innovation is NOW.

The SC billionaire also talks about the pandemic's impact on business investments, the need for rural broadband, and diversity and inclusion in the full Executive Profile.

How will tourism in the Carolinas be permanently changed by the COVID pandemic?

We get answers from Duane Parrish, Director, South Carolina Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and Wit Tuttell, Executive Director, VisitNC.

We also discuss what to expect this summer season, the impact of business travel, and the connection between education and tourism.

Fintech vs. Traditional Banking: James Sills, President and CEO, M&F Bank has seen both sides and offers his take. Plus he discusses the pivot points that resulted in massive growth and hear how the community bank is engaging minority businesses.

Panelists: Holly Childs, President and CEO, Wilmington Downtown Inc. and Mark Farris, President and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation.

Panelists:

Brooks Raiford, President and CEO, NC Technology Association

Carl Blackstone, President and CEO, Columbia Chamber