Barbara Mulkey, Triangle Business & Engineering Legend, Appointed Board Chair of Research Triangle Foundation

Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina announced Barbara Mulkey as the new chair of its 2024 board of directors. Mulkey is founder and retired chairman of Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, Inc., a mid-sized, multi-discipline civil and environmental engineering firm in Cary, NC. Thirty years later, the engineering consulting firm is a powerhouse in the region and is consistently recognized as one of Engineering News Record’s “Top 500 Engineering Companies.” Mulkey has served on the Research Triangle Foundation board since 2014, and she is the first female to serve as chair. 

“Barbara is one of the most respected transportation experts in the state, and her insights are invaluable as we advance our mission of connecting corporations, higher education and the broader community,” said Scott Levitan, president and CEO, Research Triangle Foundation. “As Research Triangle Park continues to expand its new downtown district, Hub RTP, Barbara’s business acumen and infrastructure expertise will continue to help us evolve to meet the needs of the next generation of RTP workers and residents.” 

Over the past decade, Mulkey’s board contributions have helped shape Hub RTP as RTP’s new, vibrant, downtown destination. At full build out, Hub RTP will be a 100-acre destination featuring up to one million square feet of office and lab space, 250 hotel rooms, 1,200 residential units, and 50K square feet of restaurants and retail all designed to bring people together to work, play and stay within RTP.  

The nominating committee led by Foundation Board Member Charles Francis, attorney and managing member of The Francis Law Firm PLLC, collectively agreed that Mulkey is the perfect choice to guide the Park’s reimagining and redevelopment. Francis emphasized the Park’s vision for significant growth and a denser mixed-use environment that will require collaboration from the state, top universities and RTP companies. He noted, “Bringing these groups together and making the vision a reality takes a special form of leadership. And Barbara has it.” 

Mulkey, with her substantial background in development, transportation and education, is ready for the challenge. Reflecting on her journey, she added, “Starting my career in RTP in 1980 and now returning to shape its future is incredibly fulfilling. I’m excited to leverage my experience and passion to help drive this transformation for North Carolina.” 

Mulkey was inducted into the N.C. Transportation Hall of Fame in 2010. She is the retired chairman of the Mulkey Engineers & Consultants Board and former vice chair and secretary of the Research Triangle Foundation Board. A Duplin County native, she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in civil engineering in 1977 and a master’s in structural engineering in 1984 from North Carolina State University. 

The Research Triangle Foundation Board of Directors is composed of 22 community leaders with expertise across higher education, financial services, real estate, economic development and nonprofit sectors. The board unanimously approved Mulkey’s appointment at its meeting on Nov. 17, 2023, and she chaired the Foundation’s February 2024 board meeting. Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Emeritus J. Bradley Wilson is assuming the role of vice chair and UNC-Chapel Hill Professor of Public Law and Government Anita Brown-Graham is the board’s new secretary. 

To learn more about Mulkey’s professional career and contributions to RTP, visit https://youtu.be/QDvKTN9H0Kc. For a complete view of the Reseach Triangle Foundation’s Board of Directors, visit https://www.rtp.org/the-foundation/board.For more information about the Park’s new, vibrant downtown destination, Hub RTP, visit https://hub.rtp.org.

About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina 

Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF) has served Research Triangle Park in its mission to facilitate collaboration among our region’s industries, universities, and workforce, and create economic impact for the residents of North Carolina by attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent. Comprised of 7,000 acres, its boundaries are centrally located among Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RTP is home to 55,000 employees and more than 375 companies and national labs, including Apple, BASF, Biogen, Cisco Systems, EPA, Fidelity Investments, IBM, LabCorp, Lenovo, Lilly, NetApp, NIEHS, RTI International and United Therapeutics. For more information, visit https://rtp.org.