Elizabeth Benefield

Elizabeth Benefield, MA, Duke University, BA, College of Wooster, is beginning her tenth year at NC State University as Program Director of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is leading a campus wide effort to create and nurture a strong social innovation campus ecosystem, and build external partnerships with social sector leaders and organizations to empower students to use their unique skills to become engaged citizens of the world. She established the university’s Social Entrepreneur in Residence program, its TEDx-style COMx series and Dinners With Purpose events. She designed and launched the NC State Social Innovation Fellows in fall 2017 and manages all operations. Prior to coming to NC State, Elizabeth spent fifteen years as a consultant to nonprofits and social sector organizations in fundraising, and worked ten years prior as Director of Development and Assistant Dean for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Passionate about blending the expertise of diverse sectors, she launched a social enterprise, the Rosie Group, to help nonprofits innovate in the areas of sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Elizabeth co-authored the book, Building a Strong Foundation: Fundraising for Nonprofits. She loves to travel, practice yoga and champion social justice, especially for women and girls.