Dr. Monique Perry-Graves is a transformational executive with over 25 years of experience in business, education, and nonprofit sectors, recognized for leading organizations through complex transitions and driving strategic growth. 

Since May 2025, she has served as CEO of Road to Hire, an education and workforce nonprofit affiliated with Red Ventures Corp. The organization supports underrepresented young adults by providing continuous support from high school through high-paying careers, including four years of debt-free college and career placement. With corporate partners like Bank of America, Lowe’s, Ally, and Duke Energy, Road to Hire serves nearly 2,000 students annually and awarded over $4 million in scholarships last year, placing graduates into high-paying careers in the Charlotte region. 

From 2021-2025, Dr. Perry-Graves was the first tri-region statewide Executive Director of Teach For America North Carolina, where she unified three regional affiliates into a single, cohesive entity and significantly expanded the organization’s impact. Under her leadership, TFA NC secured over $40 million in public and private funding, launched high-impact initiatives including Ignite High-Impact Tutoring and Future Forward, strengthened statewide partnerships, and achieved the organization’s highest-ever staff engagement scores while driving efforts to double TFA’s impact by 2030. 

Previously, she spent over a decade at York Technical College as Chief Enrollment and Campus Operating Officer, where she spearheaded transformative growth in enrollment, revenue, and retention while overseeing student affairs, financial aid, and strategic enrollment initiatives. Her leadership resulted in historic enrollment and retention gains. She also led strategic communications and marketing efforts while serving as full-time faculty at the start of her career at YTC. 

Her recognition includes the A. Wade Martin Innovator of the Year Award, Charlotte Business Journal’s Power 100 Leader and Most Admired CEO (2024), and being named one of Mecklenburg County’s 50 Most Influential Women. 

She currently serves as Chair of EducationNC’s (EDNC) board and as an independent director of ed tech company Circle In App. Dr. Perry-Graves holds degrees from North Carolina Central University, Seton Hall University (Master’s), and University of Florida (Doctorate).