Helping All Residents Rise: New Mecklenburg County Leaders Will Focus on Upward Mobility
Mecklenburg County is preparing to welcome two new leaders to focus on improving upward mobility and helping all residents rise economically. The appointments reflect County Manager Mike Bryant’s commitment to upward mobility, with emphasis on economic development and workforce development.
“Upward mobility begins with a decision—the community’s decision that all residents regardless of zip code will have a chance to improve their economic, educational, social, or professional standing,” said Bryant. “These two roles will be foundational in my commitment to continuous growth, resilience, and the belief that effort can transform opportunity into achievement.”
Dr. Virginia Covill will join Mecklenburg County as assistant county manager of Workforce Development and Upward Mobility, designing and executing strategies that emphasize workforce and economic development. Her goal will be to leverage services offered by Mecklenburg County, County-funded service providers, and community partners to increase access to job opportunities and resources for residents seeking a sustainable living wage and pursuing career pathways for upward mobility.
Christopher Rivera will join the Department of Community Resources (DCR) as director of the new economic mobility division. Collaborating with the new assistant county manager, he will provide oversight of the division’s multiple workforce development programs and quality and training staff. Rivera will focus on aligning workforce development strategies with employer needs and fostering partnerships across sectors to build a strong talent pipeline. He will also lead a team that delivers social work and supportive services that assist individuals and families in overcoming barriers to employment and achieving long-term self-sufficiency.
Just over a decade ago, Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranked last (50th of the 50 largest U.S. cities) in the Land of Opportunity study (aka “Chetty study”) for economic mobility—the ability of children from low-income families to climb the income ladder and thrive. Mecklenburg County and its partners are committed to collaborating and seeking innovative approaches to change the community’s trajectory for coming generations.
“Dr. Covill and Mr. Rivera each have a deep understanding of the importance of building ladders of opportunity,” said Bryant. “They are well-known in their communities and in the region as strong and dedicated leaders in the areas of strategy, economic development, and building systems that help people succeed. Both Dr. Covill and Mr. Rivera reflect Mecklenburg County’s commitment to upward mobility and support our vision of the future for all residents.”
About Dr. Virginia Covill
Dr. Covill has served for the past four years as deputy director of Strategy and Operations at Leading on Opportunity, where she led the workforce and college/career readiness priority area. Prior to joining Leading on Opportunity, she held senior leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, building data and evaluation systems to strengthen impact. She served as vice president of Impact for Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and vice president of Evaluation at Thompson Child and Family Focus.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our community,” said Dr. Covill. “There is a tremendous opportunity to build a blueprint for upward mobility that we are proud of locally but is also a national example of what is possible through strategic investment and a commitment to collaboration. There are already exceptional workforce leaders and programs in our community. I’m focused on identifying opportunities for improved coordination and alignment among our partners so that we can build stronger pathways to opportunity for all.”
Dr. Covill was recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal in 2025 as one of Charlotte’s 40 Leaders Under 40. She is an active member of the Catherine S. Grier Community Building Initiative and regularly participates in the Charlotte Evaluators Forum.
Dr. Covill earned a Ph.D. in community health psychology and a master of arts degree in clinical and community psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Iowa State University. Dr. Covill will begin work with Mecklenburg County on Jan. 12, 2026.
About Christopher Rivera
Christopher Rivera has most recently served as vice president of Business and Workforce Solutions at South Piedmont Community College, where he oversaw apprenticeship, work-based learning, corporate education and training, college and career readiness, small business center, and career services operations. Prior to that, Rivera served as executive director of GuilfordWorks, leading one of North Carolina’s most active workforce development boards. Under his leadership, numerous high-impact programs were launched or scaled, many supported by competitive grant funding aimed at connecting individuals to sustainable, high-wage career pathways.
“My approach to workforce development centers on partnership, purpose, and measurable progress,” said Rivera. “Mecklenburg County has a bold vision for economic mobility, and I’m excited to help turn that vision into reality by bridging systems, removing barriers, and aligning workforce strategies with both community voice and employer needs. By building responsive, inclusive, and data-informed systems, we can expand equitable access to opportunity and support sustainable success for all residents, especially those historically excluded from prosperity.”
Rivera currently serves on the board of Leadership North Carolina and is program chair for Class 33. He has also served on the board of a federally qualified healthcare center, co-chaired regional educational attainment collaboratives, and contributed to chambers of commerce on workforce and diversity, equity, and inclusion committees.
Rivera is pursuing his doctorate in higher education executive leadership at Wingate University. He holds a master of public administration from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Rivera will begin work with Mecklenburg County on Jan. 26, 2026.
“Workforce development is the bridge between potential and prosperity. When people gain skills that match opportunity, upward mobility becomes possible, not just promised,” said Dr. Leslie Johnson, deputy county manager for sustainable communities. “The addition of Dr. Covill and Mr. Rivera is part of a broader effort to advance the mission of Mecklenburg County and improve the lives and opportunities of all residents.”