Jayson Crusenberry is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over a decade of experience supporting Indigenous communities. Most recently, he served as the Director of Communications for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, where he led impactful multi-platform campaigns, advanced tourism, and supported government and community initiatives. Now, as Program Manager for NCGrowth at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jayson will lead efforts for the Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Center, focusing on empowering tribal communities and expanding cultural and heritage tourism. With expertise in strategic planning, storytelling, and stakeholder collaboration, Jayson is passionate about fostering sustainable growth and celebrating Native heritage. He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a BS in Mass Communications from East Tennessee State University.