About us
Grow in Greenville is an initiative of Invest Greenville, an economic development organization serving Greenville-Pitt County. As the community grows, it’s our mission to provide new residents with the information they need to make informed decisions about living, working, and growing in Greenville.
We love living and working in Greenville-Pitt County, and we think you will too!
Get in Touch with Us

Maria Satira
VP, Marketing and Talent Programming
Invest Greenville
Satira@investgreenvillenc.com
I’m originally from Pittsburgh and found my way to Greenville in 2014. I moved here for a job as a local news anchor after working at a news station in Virginia for a couple of years. I anchored the morning news at Greenville’s CBS affiliate until 2020 and left for a career change. (Spoiler alert: That’s when I started working as the director of marketing and communications with Invest Greenville!)
Everything! If I had to narrow it down to just one thing, I would say affordability. Moving here from more expensive metros was a welcomed experience in my early 20s—my bills decreased while my quality of life increased. Fast-forward 10 years, my husband and I have two daughters and recently bought and renovated our forever home. Our dollar goes much further here compared to other places we’ve both lived, allowing us extra income to travel and enjoy hobbies while still being able to invest in our family’s future.
My weekend mornings typically start with a walk on the Greenville Greenway with my family (and our dogs) or a trip to a local park so the girls can play outside. In the afternoon, we’ll often meet friends at a local family-friendly brewery for some relaxed fun. We also love trying new restaurants and enjoying some of our long-time favorites, including Ford + Shep and Native Fine Diner.
I absolutely love the fun, family-friendly (and free!) offerings in our community that I didn’t realize were here until I had kids. We are so fortunate to have a North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences branch in downtown Greenville, which is a favorite spot for our girls to play, learn, and engage with STEM. Sheppard Memorial Library also has a beautiful Children’s Library with wonderful, unique programming for kids of all ages.

Julia Davis
Talent Engagement Manager
Invest Greenville
davis@investgreenvillenc.com
I’m a Greenville-Pitt County native and graduated from East Carolina University in 2020. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to stay in Greenville and serve the community I’ve grown to love. Since graduation, I’ve worked in and volunteered within the nonprofit industry, which led me to my role at Invest Greenville. Now, I get to market Greenville-Pitt County and share all the reasons why I love this community so much.
Since I grew up in Greenville, I’ve had the unique opportunity of experiencing the community from different phases of my life. Living and working here as a young professional has hands down been my favorite phase so far! There is always something to do and the low cost of living is a huge bonus.
On a Saturday, you’ll find me with my two dogs, Bodhi and Gunner, enjoying the many pet-friendly activities and businesses in town. There are so many great ones, but to name a few, we enjoy starting the day at Backstage Coffee, which is the cutest coffee shop in town. After that, we head over to the Greenville Greenway, Wildwood Park, or River Park North for a much-needed walk to release their energy and enjoy the sunshine. Greenville has so many great pet-friendly restaurants! Some of my favorites include Sup Dogs, Basil’s, and Christy’s Euro Pub. When it comes to breweries, Pitt Street Brewing Company and Local Oak Brewing Company are our go-to's to enjoy a drink, catch up with friends, and hang out with our fur babies!
The Dickinson Avenue Historic District isn’t really a hidden gem, but I didn’t discover it until after college, so I’m counting it! There are so many great locally owned businesses that I love supporting there.

CeCe Wilkerson
Communications and Events Coordinator
Invest Greenville
wilkerson@investgreenvillenc.com
I’m originally from Greenville, so this has always been home for me. Growing up here, I developed a strong bond with the community, and it’s always felt supportive and familiar. As I approached the end of my college journey at East Carolina University, I realized even more that Greenville truly had everything I wanted in a home. It has a sense of community, local leaders who want to see Pitt County grow, numerous opportunities, and people who make it special.
What I love most is the sense of community. It’s truly a “you help me, I help you” kind of atmosphere where people look out for one another. That sense of support and connection makes a big difference, both personally and professionally. It’s also a very cost-effective place to live, which makes it even more appealing, and I love that it’s a quick trip to the coast, where I find myself heading often to relax and recharge.
On weekends, you’ll usually find me in downtown Greenville, especially around Dickinson Avenue or at City of Greenville events, soaking in the energy and enjoying everything the area offers. I love exploring the local shops and restaurants. There are so many great options! While it’s tough to pick just one, my favorite spot is Luna Pizza Cafe, and I also enjoy stopping by Crush Vodka Distillery + Cocktail Bar for a great drink and a fun atmosphere. Both places really embody the local charm that makes Greenville so special.
This isn’t necessarily a hidden gem, but Elm Street Park is definitely a place I’d want to be if I had just moved or was thinking about moving to Greenville. I love watching a Little League baseball game there in the spring with my family, seeing familiar faces, and just enjoying being outdoors. It’s one of those spots that really brings the community together and shows what makes Greenville feel like home.
