Editor’s Note: The Governmental Research Association (GRA) presented the Frederick P. Gruenberg Award — its lifetime achievement award and highest honor — to Nancy Rose at its annual conference in Asheville on July 23, 2024.

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I had the great fortune to spend 37+ years working in two GRA member organizations.

First, and longest, with the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, and then in 2016 when the center affiliated with EducationNC, I spent four years serving there. 

I had the immeasurable privilege along the way to work alongside great team members and to learn from and with: Ran Coble at the Center and Mebane Rash at both the Center and EdNC.

These were and are special organizations. 

I got to work in places where we believed:

• In the value of conducting independent objective nonpartisan research on the most important public policy issues facing the state, 
• Of the importance of educating the public on how state government works, 
• That putting the public in public policy was key, 
• That being on the ground in community is so important, and
• In lifting up and including all voices in the conversation, especially those that may not have been heard. 

At both organizations, there has been a genuine love of North Carolina and its people. 

It was a privilege to spend a long time in this space.

I literally grew up at the center, and at EdNC, I got to wear a lot of hats and learn about a lot of different things.

I learned about policy and research and the workings of government, and about nonprofit news organizations, our schools, and community colleges.

I learned a lot about leadership and teamwork and hard work.

I learned about stability and innovation and failing forward.

I learned about how to lift up and support one another, and the value of each person’s unique contribution in creating the organizational magic that made and makes these two spaces so special.

Some might call these two organizations unicorns. 

But I believe all of our GRA organizations have the potential to be unicorns. We are fortunate to have this association as a place where we can come together and learn from each other, lift our work up, celebrate impact, and be in community.

Because we do this work together — all of us — whatever our role in our respective organization. We each make our unique contribution.

Back in my early days at the center, a beloved Board member and treasurer said something that stuck with me. He said, “Nancy, really, 90% of leadership is showing up, stepping up, and stepping in.” And I have tried to live that.

I am proud and so grateful to have had the opportunity to show up, step up, and step in at the center, EdNC, and the GRA, and for the ability to continue to do so through coaching organizational leaders in retirement.

On weaving a tapestry beyond compare

In center tradition, Ran or Mebane would often begin or end their remarks with a story or poem.

Collectively we do this work because we believe it strengthens the fabric of society and democracy.

North Carolina is historically known as the heart of the textile industry, and Asheville has a deep tradition in fiber arts, so I worked on this poem with ChatGPT specific to this time and place and technology.

The Tapestry by Nancy Rose with ChatGPT

Each thread alone may seem slight,

A single hue, a modest light.

But woven with intent and care,

A tapestry beyond compare.

In colors bold, in gentle hue,

Each thread has purpose, shining through.

No strand worth less, not one is small,

Together, we create it all.

From loom of vision and hearts combined,

An image vast, by each defined.

In every twist, each subtle weave,

We craft the magic we believe.

May we continue to believe and craft the magic together.

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Here is the GRA’s presentation to Nancy Rose of the Gruenberg Award:

The Frederick P. Gruenberg Award is the highest honor awarded by the Governmental Research Association, and in 2024, it is the association’s honor to present the award to Nancy Richmond Rose.

Nancy was the executive director of the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, where her leadership included finance and operations, human resources, technology and innovation, and communications. She served the Center for 34 years, longer than any other employee.

The center was respected as a think tank, watchdog, and futurist across North Carolina, and during her tenure, the center’s research informed policy changes on these issues:

• Supplemental funding for  low-wealth and small public school districts;
• The cohort graduation rate and dropout prevention;
• Charter schools;
• Higher education governance;
• Statewide recycling;
• Mapping of floodplains;
• Early voting and same day registration;
• Reducing racial disparities in health outcomes;
• Fraud against the elderly;
• Providing mental health services in community;
• Domestic violence courts; and 
• Increased transparency around the use of special provisions.

Nancy also served as the chief operating officer of EducationNC from 2016 until her retirement, where she pioneered using new media strategies to distribute public policy research and led First Vote NC, an online voting experience for students to practice engaging in democracy.

She served as secretary and secretariat of the GRA’s Board of Trustees, rebuilt the GRA website, co-hosted conferences, and was a panelist on the early use of social media by the GRA and its organizations.

She continues in retirement to be a member of the GRA, providing coaching to leaders of GRA organizations.

Her leadership has been honored nationally by NTEN, the Aspen Institute, and the American Civic Collaboration Awards.

Nancy, on behalf of the Governmental Research Association, thank you for your leadership and the outstanding contributions to the field of governmental research you have made across the decades of your career.