Vickie Powell, IOM is senior vice president, foundations with the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC).  Her work experience includes more than 15 years in human resources, business development and corporate affairs.   In her current role, she has primary responsibility for the Public Education Forum of Mississippi and M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation - Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) programs.  The STAR program has saluted the academic achievements of the state’s outstanding high school students and teachers from more than 300 public, private, and parochial schools for over 45 years.  Additionally, she oversees Mississippi Scholars in more than 80 school districts and over 145 high schools both public and private across the state.

Vickie has been involved with the Jackson Public Schools for several years serving as Adopt-A-School Coordinator and Site Council Representative.  Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Jobs for Mississippi Graduates, Mississippi Association of Partners in Education, Inc. and Mississippi Region I Broadband Advisory Council.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi.