Donna Carpenter joined the Cabarrus County CVB as President and CEO in 2009 bringing more than 14 years of experience in destination management, sales and marketing to the Bureau. Donna most recently served as the director of tourism and partnership development for five-plus years with Visit Charlotte. She was also executive director of the Stanly County Convention & Visitors Bureau, director of sports and public relations for the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau and was the executive director for the Fort Mill Chamber of Commerce.

In 2010, Donna was named one of the area’s Top Women in Business by Business Today. The same year, she became a Certified Destination Management Executive (CMDE) through Destinations International and is also certified as a Tourism Marketing Professional through the Southeast Tourism Society. Donna is an active member of Southeast Tourism Society and the National Tourism Association.

Donna currently serves on the boards of 600 Festival, NC Travel and Tourism, Southeastern Tourism Society, NC Travel and Tourism Coalition, UNCC Advisory Board, Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce and Cabarrus Economic Development Council. She is also Chair of the Hickory Ridge High School Tourism Academy Advisory Board, Sister Cities Association and Past President of Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina (DMANC).

In September 2015, Donna received the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Beacon Award, a prestigious honor recognizing an individual who best exemplifies outstanding leadership in the pursuit of excellence and who has advanced the tourism industry.