Mills Legacy Strategies
Mills Legacy Strategies
Built on Legacy. Driven by Strategy. Designing Programs that Last.
Mills Legacy Strategies is the culmination of over three decades of transformative work by Brenda Mills, a recognized leader in government strategy, inclusive economic development, and equity-centered innovation. With more than 30 years in public service, Brenda’s work has shaped public policy, empowered minority-owned businesses, and embedded racial equity into the fabric of municipal governance across North Carolina.
From Asheville City Hall to state-level Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) initiatives, Brenda has consistently gone beyond surface-level change. Her leadership is rooted in listening deeply, acting intentionally, and building systems that are built to work. Today, through Mills Legacy Strategies, she partners with cities, agencies, and visionary changemakers to turn bold ideas into legacy-level outcomes.
A Legacy You Can Build On
Mills Legacy Strategies is grounded in action, clarity, and results. Led by Brenda Mills, our work turns complex challenges into strategic solutions that drive change. We bring the full weight of experience, insight, and precision to every engagement.
Our organization stands on four core pillars:
Structure – We design clear, effective frameworks that move projects forward and keep institutions aligned with their mission.
Integrity – Every strategy is developed with honesty, transparency, and a deep respect for the community's voice.
Expertise – With more than 30 years in public service, Brenda Mills brings unmatched knowledge in equity strategy, economic development, and government operations.
Legacy – We create systems that are sustainable, scalable, and built to empower the next generation of leaders.
Our brandmark reflects these foundational values: steady, intentional, and built to last.
Mills Legacy Strategies delivers alignment. We take your values, challenges, and goals and transform them into actionable roadmaps that drive real, lasting change.
About The Founder: Brenda Mills
Brenda Mills brings decades of purpose-driven leadership across policy, public service, and equity. Raised in North Carolina and rooted in community organizing, Brenda earned a B.S. in Industrial Relations from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University, along with a Project Management Certification.
Her career spans more than 33 years in civil rights enforcement, government leadership, and economic development. She has:
Led citywide equity reviews for Asheville, NC and Lafayette, CO.
Managed statewide DBE support programs under NCDOT.
Served as Equity & Inclusion Director for the City of Asheville.
Reviewed municipal equity plans using the O.K.R.A. Model and the G.A.R.E. framework.
Increased DBE participation in public contracts.
Designed and implemented racial equity assessments for municipal policy.
Helped build community and business capacity through strategic training curricula.
Widely respected for her integrity, honesty, and deep commitment to equity as action, Brenda has been honored with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor of North Carolina, the Robert E. Shepherd Excellence in Local Government Award, and the "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" Award from the NC MWBE Coordinators’ Network. Recognitions from Western Carolina University and the City of Asheville further reflect her decades of leadership and service.
Brenda founded Mills Legacy Strategies to expand her impact, guiding organizations and individuals in building equitable systems and sustainable strategies tailored to the needs of their communities.
Institutions Served Throughout My Career
Dream it
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Build it
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Grow it
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Dream it • Build it • Grow it •
Economic Development Coalition
Carter Development Group
Buncombe County Government
Land of Sky Regional Council
NC MWBE Coordinators' Network
Our Legacy, Our Mision
Our Mission:
Our mission is to inspire growth through honesty, vulnerability, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Our Vision:
Empowering change through knowledge, advocacy, and teaching individuals how to find what they need, when they need it.