Elaine Rideout

Adjunct Faculty

Elaine Rideout is an adjunct faculty member and serves as a member of the Initiative staff.  She is a social entrepreneur who has created two public entities, five nonprofits, and supported dozens more.  She is a business entrepreneur who has founded two startup companies and supported the development of many more.  Currently, she is CEO of WISERsystems, Inc. a startup located on NC State’s Centennial Campus, and President/CEO of Economic Investment Strategies (EIS) Associates, an enterprise-based economic development public policy consulting firm.  Elaine has raised over $100 million in support of her nonprofit and business ventures.  She holds the MPP from the University of Michigan and PhD from NC State University where she is also a Kauffman Entrepreneurship Fellow.