Sara Chester is an economic and community development leader dedicated to creating inclusive prosperity in rural communities. Most recently, she served as Co-Executive Director of The Industrial Commons, a Morganton-based nonprofit focused on rooting wealth locally and strengthening rural economies. Over her 15-year career, she has earned national recognition for innovative economic development, including an International Economic Development Council Award, the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, and selection as a 2022–23 Job Quality Fellow with the Aspen Institute. A native of Morganton, North Carolina, Sara returned home after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to invest in the community that shaped her. She co-founded The Industrial Commons in 2015 and helped grow the organization into a nationally recognized model for connecting workforce development, business growth, and regional supply chain development. She also played a key role in launching the Carolina Textile District, a collaborative network working to revitalize textile manufacturing across the Carolinas. Sara currently serves as Vice Chair of the North Carolina Rural Center Board of Directors.