Lydia Thomas 

Program Manager, UNCW CIE

Lydia Thomas is the recently hired program manager of the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Thomas creates programs for startups. Some examples, she said, are Idea Test Lab, Wilmington Founder’s Roundtable and the Ocean Innovation Conference. 

Thomas is interested in the blue economy, or companies that derive their revenue from the oceans in a sustainable manner. Newsletters she uses include Ocean Exchange, SeaAhead and TMA Bluetech.

For a professional read, she enjoyed Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. “I also really enjoy thrillers. A few great ones I’ve read recently are The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, None of This is True by Lisa Jewell and The Guest List by Lucy Foley.”

On podcasts, she goes for an entrepreneurial favorite or true crime: “One of my favorite podcasts is How I Built This, hosted by Guy Raz ... I love hearing how many ways people went about starting their businesses, each journey is so unique. Also, I do love a good, informative true crime podcast. I’m typically listening to those in the car on the way to work.”

Her favorite apps are Maps – “I am absolutely terrible with directions.” – and Google Calendar.

TV picks cover fiction and reality: “My all-time favorite TV show is Psych, but I do enjoy The Bachelor/Bachelorette – it’s great entertainment.”

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lydia-bjorklund