02/16/2026
🏆 Dionne Nelson Named Among North Carolina’s Most Powerful Business Leaders
We’re proud to celebrate Dionne Nelson, Founder & CEO of Laurel Street Residential, for being recognized among North Carolina’s most powerful business leaders.
Since launching the company in 2011 with just two employees, Dionne has grown Laurel Street into one of North Carolina’s leading private developers of workforce and affordable housing — with 4,000+ stabilized units and more than 6,000 units in development across multiple states. The firm is known for leading impactful public-private partnerships and creating mixed-income communities, including over 900 downtown units in Durham.
With experience at Crosland, Salomon Brothers, and McKinsey & Company, and degrees from Spelman College and Harvard Business School, Dionne continues to lead with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to expanding access to quality housing.
Her leadership reflects a dedication not just to growth — but to impact.
Read the full article here:
https://images.businessnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Feature-Women-in-Power-2026.pdf