How MCNC’s Tracy Doaks Is Building Networks And Breaking Barriers In Public Tech
In the world of technology infrastructure, it is easy to focus on systems and forget about the people behind them.
Tracy Doaks is changing that.
As President and CEO of MCNC, a nonprofit that provides critical technology services to North Carolina’s public institutions, Doaks brings together operational excellence and a deep commitment to public service.
Her work is centered on a clear goal: making sure every community has access not just to the internet, but to resilient and inclusive systems that support learning, health care, economic opportunity, and long-term growth.
Career Shaped By Public Impact
Before joining MCNC in 2020, Tracy Doaks led some of the most essential technology functions in the state.
As North Carolina’s State Chief Information Officer and Secretary of the Department of Information Technology, she was responsible for broadband strategy, cybersecurity, statewide IT operations, procurement, and emergency communications, including oversight of the NC 911 Board.
Her earlier roles included senior leadership positions at Duke Medicine, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Across all these roles, she led complex digital transformations with a focus on systems that support everyday lives.
With a degree in Industrial Engineering from NC State University and a CIO certification from the UNC School of Government, she combines technical depth with policy insight.
But what sets her apart is not only her expertise, but also how she uses it to serve.
Tracy has described her leadership journey as one of self-discovery. As a Black woman in a field historically dominated by white men, she has spoken openly about the challenge of finding her voice and trusting her leadership instincts.
“It took years to stop emulating what others expected and instead lead from a place of authenticity,” she explained in a recent podcast interview. “Letting go of ego was one of the hardest things, but I had to do it to become the leader I am today.”
