Our MISSION

With our unique and unapologetically rose-colored perspective, we share life-filled stories that celebrate our city, cultivate a sense of pride, and empower those who are changing our city for good. We are High Point’s storytellers, and we tell the stories that help people fall in love with High Point.

Our VALUES

Authentic Belonging

Every community member has a place to belong in the story of High Point. We are all equals and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and honor. Our platform is a safe space to tell stories that empower the inherent beauty within each individual and encourage their authentic belonging in our shared home.

Hopeful Vision

We recognize the future, the opportunity, and the potential of those in our city brimming with life and hope. We lift up others and shine a light on their unique abilities. to push newcomers into the spotlight.

Enlightened Innovation

We tell stories about visionary thinking applied to a number of disciplines, sectors, and organizations teaming in our city. We are determined to highlight, propel, and sustain the innovation that High Point citizens embody – through our own innovative storytelling.

Pride of Place

We are definitely proud of this city we call home, and through sharing our stories, we have learned that each of you rival this sense of pride. Together, we celebrate our rich heritage, and all that High Point offers our local, national, and global community.

Enthusiastically Happy

We share every aspect of our city through unparalleled enthusiasm. Our never-ending passion for what’s coming in our city means that, by nature, we are overjoyed to share what we see as cause for celebration happening every day in our hometown.

Vividly Unique

We set out to disrupt how people perceive High Point. We saw our city filled with that same disrupter mindset, influenced by our global culture and steeped in our Creative City identity. We depict that story of High Point in a way wholly different to any other team before us.

Giving Spirit

Our community is overflowing with people who possess deep compassion, a kind heart, and a willingness to help others through action. We partner as a catalyst with changemakers, entrepreneurs, artists, students and more to achieve their goals. 

High Point Discovered Logo

Our VALUES

Authentic Belonging

Every community member has a place to belong in the story of High Point. We are all equals and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and honor. Our platform is a safe space to tell stories that empower the inherent beauty within each individual and encourage their authentic belonging in our shared home.

Enlightened Innovation

We tell stories about visionary thinking applied to a number of disciplines, sectors, and organizations teaming in our city. We are determined to highlight, propel, and sustain the innovation that High Point citizens embody – through our own innovative storytelling.

Enthusiastically Happy

We share every aspect of our city through unparalleled enthusiasm. Our never-ending passion for what’s coming in our city means that, by nature, we are overjoyed to share what we see as cause for celebration happening every day in our hometown.

Giving Spirit

Our community is overflowing with people who possess deep compassion, a kind heart, and a willingness to help others through action. We partner as a catalyst with changemakers, entrepreneurs, artists, students and more to achieve their goals. 

Hopeful Vision

We recognize the future, the opportunity, and the potential of those in our city brimming with life and hope. We lift up others and shine a light on their unique abilities. to push newcomers into the spotlight.

Pride of Place

We are definitely proud of this city we call home, and through sharing our stories, we have learned that each of you rival this sense of pride. Together, we celebrate our rich heritage, and all that High Point offers our local, national, and global community.

Vividly Unique

We set out to disrupt how people perceive High Point. We saw our city filled with that same disrupter mindset, influenced by our global culture and steeped in our Creative City identity. We depict that story of High Point in a way wholly different to any other team before us.

High Point Discovered Logo
Photo of Christi Barbour
Christi Barbour | Founder & Chairman

Today we embrace and celebrate the fact that High Point Discovered is indeed transforming the way people see High Point. Our vision is becoming our reality as we continue to empower people by elevating the voices of our community through thoughtful storytelling and beautiful imagery. We connect people and serve as an economic catalyst for our city. We partner in the launch of countless ideas that improve lives and bring happiness, all from a place called High Point. So what are you waiting for? Let’s discover High Point together.

Our WHY

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

As a lifelong resident of High Point, I have witnessed the evolution of this city I call home. Yet many people in High Point often overlook the growth and progress taking place right before our eyes. I used to be baffled by this, until one night in 2016 around my family’s kitchen table during dinner, all of that changed. My husband and our two children began asking ourselves, “What if people could see High Point through our eyes? What if they could see the hardworking small businesses, the growing university, the generous changemakers, the global High Point Market, the thriving artists and creatives? What if they could see High Point through a rose-colored lens?”

That night an idea was born. Our community is filled with artists, makers, families, entrepreneurs, educators, and places worth discovering. Maybe we just needed to bridge the gap between what needed to be discovered and the community of High Point.

Board Of Directors Founding Members of High Point Disovered
Board Of Directors Founding Members

Today we embrace and celebrate the fact that High Point Discovered is indeed transforming the way people see High Point. Our vision is becoming our reality as we continue to empower people by elevating the voices of our community through thoughtful storytelling and beautiful imagery. We connect people and serve as an economic catalyst for our city. We partner in the launch of countless ideas that improve lives and bring happiness, all from a place called High Point. So what are you waiting for? Let’s discover High Point together.

Board Of Directors Founding Members of High Point Disovered
Board Of Directors Founding Members
Photo of Christi Barbour
Christi Barbour | Founder & Chairman

Our WHY

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

As a lifelong resident of High Point, I have witnessed the evolution of this city I call home. Yet many people in High Point often overlook the growth and progress taking place right before our eyes. I used to be baffled by this, until one night in 2016 around my family’s kitchen table during dinner, all of that changed. My husband and our two children began asking ourselves, “What if people could see High Point through our eyes? What if they could see the hardworking small businesses, the growing university, the generous changemakers, the global High Point Market, the thriving artists and creatives? What if they could see High Point through a rose-colored lens?”

That night an idea was born. Our community is filled with artists, makers, families, entrepreneurs, educators, and places worth discovering. Maybe we just needed to bridge the gap between what needed to be discovered and the community of High Point.

Our TEAM

Photo of Christi Barbour

CHRISTI BARBOUR

FOUNDER & CHAIRWOMAN
Inspired by the city that she calls home for both her family and her interior design business, Christi Barbour founded HPD as a “love letter” to High Point. She continues to use her creative vision, idea generation, and innovative storytelling to lead the HPD team to transform our city.
Amber_edited headshot_2024

AMBER WILLIAMSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leader. Communicator. Visionary. Connector. All of this and more describes Amber. With sights set on engaging the High Point community on an authentic and strategic level through experiences, relationships, and – let’s be honest – a good bit of fun, Amber brings direction and drive to the HPD team.
Hannah_edited headshot_2024

HANNAH RAY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
A storyteller at heart, High Point-native Hannah wanted to find a way to tell the everyday stories of people all around her. At HPD, she is motivated by the idea that her writing and creative decision-making can elevate voices in the city and empower people to recognize their value through their own stories.
Caroline_edited headshot_2024

CAROLINE MILLER

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Detail-driven and always ready to share a smile, Caroline is our admin extraordinaire! On any given day, she’s working hard to make sure each of our stories and programs is set up for success, crossing every "t" and dotting every "i" with an excitement for the city she calls home.
Katie_Edited headshot_2024

KATIE COTHRAN

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
After graduating from High Point University with a degree in advertising, PR, and strategic communications, Katie decided to put her passion for bettering social media strategies to work in High Point. She keeps our organization socially engaged and keeps our city up to speed on every "Did You Know"!
Jen_edited headshot_2024

JEN SCHEIB

PHOTOGRAPHER
When it comes to visual storytelling, it’s the keen eye of Jen Scheib that helps us capture moments in High Point. Jen launched her business, Scheib Creative, to capture candid moments that help businesses tell their stories. She also lends her expert lens to our teams, as she helps us tell the story of our beautiful city.

Our CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

We believe it takes a host of voices to tell the stories –

truthfully and beautifully – of any city. That's why we have a collective

of creatives that use their talents to make High Point Discovered happen.

Katie Bardou

(Photography)

Zander Betterton

(Photography & Videography)

Brandon Cook

(Photography & Videography)

Kelli Gowdy

(Photography)

Aiysha Hall

(Writing)

Fernando Jiménez

(Wrting)

Nancy Kattenfeld

(Editor)

Max Kresock

(Wrting)

Traci Lester

(Photography)

Haley McCall

(Writing)

Anna Claire Miller

(Writing)

Amandine Shadia

(Writing)

Maria West

(Photography)

Our TEAM

Photo of Christi Barbour

CHRISTI BARBOUR

FOUNDER & CHAIRWOMAN
Inspired by the city that she calls home for both her family and her interior design business, Christi Barbour founded HPD as a “love letter” to High Point. She continues to use her creative vision, idea generation, and innovative storytelling to lead the HPD team to transform our city.
Amber_edited headshot_2024

AMBER WILLIAMSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leader. Communicator. Visionary. Connector. All of this and more describes Amber. With sights set on engaging the High Point community on an authentic and strategic level through experiences, relationships, and – let’s be honest – a good bit of fun, Amber brings direction and drive to the HPD team.
Hannah_edited headshot_2024

HANNAH RAY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
A storyteller at heart, High Point-native Hannah wanted to find a way to tell the everyday stories of people all around her. At HPD, she is motivated by the idea that her writing and creative decision-making can elevate voices in the city and empower people to recognize their value through their own stories.
Caroline_edited headshot_2024

CAROLINE MILLER

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Detail-driven and always ready to share a smile, Caroline is our admin extraordinaire! On any given day, she’s working hard to make sure each of our stories and programs is set up for success, crossing every "t" and dotting every "i" with an excitement for the city she calls home.
Katie_Edited headshot_2024

KATIE COTHRAN

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
After graduating from High Point University with a degree in advertising, PR, and strategic communications, Katie decided to put her passion for bettering social media strategies to work in High Point. She keeps our organization socially engaged and keeps our city up to speed on every "Did You Know"!
Jen_edited headshot_2024

JEN SCHEIB

PHOTOGRAPHER
When it comes to visual storytelling, it’s the keen eye of Jen Scheib that helps us capture moments in High Point. Jen launched her business, Scheib Creative, to capture candid moments that help businesses tell their stories. She also lends her expert lens to our teams, as she helps us tell the story of our beautiful city.

Our CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

Katie Bardou

(Photography)

Zander Betterton

(Photography & Videography)

Brandon Cook

(Photography & Videography)

Kelli Gowdy

(Photography)

Aiysha Hall

(Writer)

Fernando Jiménez

(Writer)

Nancy Kattenfeld

(Editor)

Max Kresock

(Writer)

Traci Lester

(Photographer)

Haley McCall

(Writer)

Anna Claire Miller

(Writer)

Amandine Shadia

(Writer)

Maria West

(Photographer)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cristi Barbour Circle image

CHRISTI BARBOUR

CHAIRWOMAN
Christi Barbour, HPD Founder and Chairwoman is a partner at HPD’s founding organization, Barbour Spangle Design. As an Executive Committee member, she leverages her deep understanding of High Point’s business community and a belief in the City’s future to craft and execute HPD‘s long term strategy.
Photo of Christi Spangle

CHRISTI SPANGLE

VICE CHAIRWOMAN
As a partner at HPD’s founding organization, Barbour Spangle Design, Christi Spangle serves as Vice Chairwoman on the Executive Committee. She provides expertise in business management and leadership, as well as knowledge of the High Point business sector.
Image of Jack Hendrix

JACK HENDRIX

TREASURER
Managing partner of High Point CPA firm, Hendrix Barney & Co. CPAs, Jack brings 40 years of accounting and finance industry experience to High Point Discovered. As treasurer on the Executive Committee, he ensures HPD is tax compliant and on-budget.
Headshot_Edited_Julie

JULIE HILL

SECRETARY
Julie is the Executive Director of The Interchange, an initiative of Business High Point that hosts learning academies for entrepreneurial empowerment and development. She brings a wealth of non-profit and development expertise to our board, along with her passion for developing leaders in our city.
Headshot Edited_Dana

DANA EAST

As the Events Development Manager of Visit High Point, Dana knows firsthand the power of a first impression. Her world-class events draw people into our city from around the nation. That’s why she offers her expertise and personal passion for her city serving on our board, telling the story through events and marketing to shape authentic experiences of High Point.
Photo of Bryan Kuppleweiser

BRIAN KUPPELWEISER

As a business attorney at the law firm, Tuggle Duggins P.A., Brian brings to our board a wealth of legal insight, a mind for decision-making, and a passion for the local community.
Headshot_Edited_Michael

MICHAEL QUBEIN

A devoted High Point native, Michael is a passionate advocate for community growth. Serving as a project coordinator at High Point University, Michael now leverages his lifelong love and extensive knowledge of his hometown to better our community for students and residents alike.
Headshot Edited_Ricardo

RICARDO SIORDIA

Since his relocation from Los Angeles to the Triad, Ricardo has embraced his new home in his role as Business Development Officer at Fidelity Bank. Ricardo’s passion for the world of finances runs parallel to his passion for building meaningful relationships and fostering growth in High Point.
A circular photo of Rev. Frank Thomas

FRANK THOMAS

Pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas leads in service and ministry to a wealth of High Point community members. Through his heart for service-oriented leadership and commitment to High Point, Dr. Thomas strengthens HPD's capacity to give back to our community.
Headshot_Edited_Jessica

JESSICA WYNN

An active city participant in our city’s branding taskforce, strategic planning steering committee, and young professional network, Jessica serves as the Director of Guest Experience for High Point Market Authority. When she isn’t helping to make our world-famous trade show happen, Jessica lends her innovative and strategic insights to our board.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cristi Barbour Circle image

CHRISTI BARBOUR

CHAIRWOMAN
Christi Barbour, HPD Founder and Chairwoman is a partner at HPD’s founding organization, Barbour Spangle Design. As an Executive Committee member, she leverages her deep understanding of High Point’s business community and a belief in the City’s future to craft and execute HPD‘s long term strategy.
Photo of Christi Spangle

CHRISTI SPANGLE

VICE CHAIRWOMAN
As a partner at HPD’s founding organization, Barbour Spangle Design, Christi Spangle serves as Vice Chairwoman on the Executive Committee. She provides expertise in business management and leadership, as well as knowledge of the High Point business sector.
Image of Jack Hendrix

JACK HENDRIX

TREASURER
Managing partner of High Point CPA firm, Hendrix Barney & Co. CPAs, Jack brings 40 years of accounting and finance industry experience to High Point Discovered. As treasurer on the Executive Committee, he ensures HPD is tax compliant and on-budget.
Headshot_Edited_Julie

JULIE HILL

SECRETARY
Julie is the Executive Director of The Interchange, an initiative of Business High Point that hosts learning academies for entrepreneurial empowerment and development. She brings a wealth of non-profit and development expertise to our board, along with her passion for developing leaders in our city.
Headshot Edited_Dana

DANA EAST

As the Events Development Manager of Visit High Point, Dana knows firsthand the power of a first impression. Her world-class events draw people into our city from around the nation. That’s why she offers her expertise and personal passion for her city serving on our board, telling the story through events and marketing to shape authentic experiences of High Point.
Photo of Bryan Kuppleweiser

BRIAN KUPPELWEISER

As a business attorney at the law firm, Tuggle Duggins P.A., Brian brings to our board a wealth of legal insight, a mind for strategic decision-making, and a passion for the local community.
Headshot_Edited_Michael

MICHAEL QUBEIN

A devoted High Point native, Michael is a passionate advocate for community growth. Serving as a project coordinator at High Point University, Michael now leverages his lifelong love and extensive knowledge of his hometown to better our community for students and residents alike.
Headshot Edited_Ricardo

RICARDO SIORDIA

Since his relocation from Los Angeles to the Triad, Ricardo has embraced his new home in his role as Business Development Officer at Fidelity Bank. Ricardo’s passion for the world of finances runs parallel to his passion for building meaningful relationships and fostering growth in High Point.
A circular photo of Rev. Frank Thomas

FRANK THOMAS

Pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas leads in service and ministry to a wealth of High Point community members. Through his heart for service-oriented leadership and commitment to High Point, Dr. Thomas strengthens HPD's capacity to give back to our community.
Headshot_Edited_Jessica

JESSICA WYNN

An active city participant in our city’s branding taskforce, strategic planning steering committee, and young professional network, Jessica serves as the Director of Guest Experience for High Point Market Authority. When she isn’t helping to make our world-famous trade show happen, Jessica lends her innovative and strategic insights to our board.

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