Discover Durham Names Cara Rousseau as Next Chief Executive Officer

(DURHAM, NC) – Discover Durham, the destination marketing organization for Durham County, is pleased to announce its governing board unanimously selected Cara Rousseau as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Rousseau, currently serving as Discover Durham’s chief marketing officer, will succeed Susan Amey following Amey stepping down in July 2026. Rousseau will lead Discover Durham while also responsible for facilitating the direction of its two nonprofit subsidiaries, the Durham Sports Commission and Durham Next.

“What a pivotal time for Durham and the work of our organizations to grow visitation in ways that are intentional, inclusive and a force for community good,” said Rousseau. “It is a dream position for me that I have a deep personal passion for, retaining and furthering Durham’s character while driving economic growth. I am in awe of all that Susan has accomplished and overwhelmingly proud to be following her path.”

Rousseau joined Discover Durham as vice president of partnerships and engagement in early 2017. She developed and launched Discover Durham’s first formal strategic partnerships program and spearheaded post-pandemic strategy for rebuilding hospitality workforce before taking the chief marketing officer role in 2021. She has overseen two full cycles of the organizations’ Strategic Blueprint development, has had major brand and visitor-facing wins like the current Do it in Durham and Love Durham campaigns, and has worked to advance the community’s festival ecosystem by convening and engaging owners to elevate their cultural assets. She has always been called to work in the economic development of Durham, with previous roles marketing Duke University, setting partner and communications strategy for the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina and working on special projects at the City of Durham’s then-called Office of Economic and Employment Development.

“The Tourism Development Authority board did its thorough and thoughtful due diligence to ensure we had sound decision-making, before soon realizing that Cara exceeded our every expectation with a vision that we’re confident will add value to the economy and help drive Durham’s success,” said long-time board member and current Secretary/Treasurer, Barry Van Deman, who led the process. “To follow Susan’s trailblazing path leaves great shoes to fill, which makes it even more comforting to know she won’t be far as Cara follows in her footsteps,” added Carlos Rubio, general manager at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Raleigh-Durham at Research Triangle Park and board chair.

Amey stepped in as Discover Durham’s president & CEO in 2019, named to lead just before the unprecedented pandemic upended the travel and tourism sector. She was then tapped to manage Mayor Steve Schewel’s Durham Recovery & Renewal Task Force communications efforts and other advocacy on behalf of the hospitality industry during COVID-19. Over the last seven-plus years, she has been a game-changer, pushing the organization to become even more of a destination leader, stewarding Durham’s first-ever, community-driven Destination Master Plan and launching a 501(c)3 community partnership, Durham Next, to see through the plan’s recommendations to bring the transformative initiatives to life. She first joined the organization in 2016 as chief marketing officer and served on the Durham 150 convening committee, charged with celebrating the City’s official sesquicentennial. As evidenced by numerous recognitions and awards, her tenure is lined with monumental accomplishments for the organization and milestones for the economy, including the organization’s first-ever rebrand, from the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau to Discover Durham, and annual visitor spending surpassing $1 billion for the first time.

After July 1, Amey will serve as a consultant for Durham Next, continuing to advance many of the active projects and initiatives launched in the last year.

“Discover Durham has always been a forward-thinking organization, setting a standard for what destination marketing looks like and does for the community,” said Amey. “It has been an honor to lead and see tourism create more impact and value for the community. And I have no doubt Cara will continue to set the vision moving forward: how Discover Durham, the Durham Sports Commission and Durham Next can work together to tackle what’s next to make Durham the best it possibly can be for residents and visitors.”