Adrienne Hua’s research career began 20 years ago when she first asked “how many ways can we cook a blue crab?” And the rest is history. The good doctor is currently the Lead Principal Researcher at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® and is in charge of managing the many research projects and programs led by the organization. To ensure that the CLT Alliance meets its goals, she works with the research team to design, develop, and execute key research strategies and projects, all of which help drive the economic development of the Charlotte Region.
“As the lead principal researcher, Dr. Hua contributes and oversees critical data collection, publications, survey’s and so much more,” said Chief Advocacy and Strategy Officer Kelly O’Brien. “The CLT Alliance Research Team is a highly regarded resource for our investors and the whole region. Adrienne is tapped by the media to share insights because she has her finger on the pulse of the business community. She is a valuable leader of the research team and I appreciate all she does.”
Adrienne’s skills include a strong understanding of statistical analyses, data wrangling and visualization, and a “black belt in the art of googling.” Those skills are valuable in her work for the businesses of the Charlotte Region, but also for helping her answer what she calls the most important question of all time: “Where should we go for dinner?”
At the bright age of 20, Adrienne graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and proceeded to continue her career as a “forever student” by furthering her studies at George Mason University, where she acquired a master’s. She then attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she successfully defended her opportunity to earn a doctorate.
Adrienne prides herself on her work in the field of social justice, which is driven largely by her innate need to know “why.” Coincidentally, it also drives her love for gastronomy. Always in pursuit of the perfect way to incorporate cheese, she has spent a good deal of her life traveling and tasting all things edible.
When she isn’t staring into the local cheese shop displays, you can find her rolling out the red carpet for her dogs and organizing her LEGO and book collections.
