“It’s just a great place to be. It doesn’t feel like I go to work in the morning—it feels like I’m coming to hang out with friends and we’re really doing some cool stuff every day.” – Isaac L. Perry, Winston-Salem, NC
Isaac L. Perry has built an impressive career and meaningful life without ever needing to leave the region that raised him. As Head of Biotech and Life Science Ecosystem Development for Innovation Quarter and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., Isaac is helping lead the charge in transforming Winston-Salem and the Carolina Core into a nationally recognized hub for life sciences, research and innovation. But his story isn’t just about business growth—it’s about coming home, staying home and investing in the place that’s given him so much.
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Isaac grew up immersed in a community that valued education, connection and service. With both parents working in education, his family was deeply embedded in the local fabric—and many of those early relationships still shape his network today. Even after exploring opportunities outside of North Carolina, it was the deep sense of community and belonging that ultimately pulled him back to the Core.
“I really missed that sense of community and that just feeling of home,” he says, reflecting on his brief stint working with dolphins in the Florida Keys. “There is just a lot of people coming and going and not a core, real community to connect with.” That realization brought him back to Winston-Salem, where he launched a 13-year career at Miracles in Sight, a nonprofit focused on corneal transplantation. While there, Isaac pursued advanced degrees in public health and business, building expertise in clinical operations, product development and strategic partnerships.
That experience positioned him perfectly for his current role. At Innovation Quarter, Isaac now supports and cultivates a thriving biotech and life sciences ecosystem—one that’s built on collaboration between academics, research institutions, industry and the general community. He describes the Innovation Quarter as a magnet for groundbreaking ideas and companies that want to grow in an environment that feels both world-class and deeply local.
“We are conveners, we’re catalyzers and we’re connectors,” he explains. “I always joke that I’m like a nosy Airbnb host. I want to know what you’re working on so I can help facilitate connections that drive growth and create jobs.”
That spirit of connection and amplification is what Isaac believes sets the Carolina Core apart from more saturated innovation markets. While places like the Research Triangle or Silicon Valley might get the spotlight, Winston-Salem offers something else: the ability to be seen. “You’re not just a face in the sea. You’re a big fish in a small pond, and people genuinely want to help.” In a region where collaboration is second nature, ideas get traction quickly and entrepreneurs feel supported from day one.
That accessibility isn’t limited to business. It extends to lifestyle, too. Isaac describes the Carolina Core as a rare blend of energy, affordability and ease—where the cost of living is manageable, the traffic is nonexistent, and the quality of life is unmatched. Whether it’s catching a concert in the park, hiking at Stone Mountain, paddling at nearby lakes or just spending a weekend with his family at the zoo, Isaac finds joy in the variety of experiences that are just a short drive away.
“We’ve not really looked back,” he says of choosing to settle down in Winston-Salem. “There’s such a pull here. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Even his wife, who grew up moving from state to state as a military child, quickly felt at home in the region. Within a year of relocating, she told Isaac it was the first place that ever truly felt like home.
That sense of rootedness fuels Isaac’s passion for helping others find their path here. He’s a champion for young professionals, recent grads and anyone thinking about a career in the Core. Whether it’s connecting aspiring entrepreneurs to support systems like Winston Starts or encouraging job seekers to shadow a local lab technician, Isaac knows that one conversation can open doors—and in this region, people are always willing to make time.
“If I don’t know how to help you, I know someone who can—and they will,” he says, capturing the inclusive and open-hearted culture of the Carolina Core.
As Winston-Salem continues to evolve and attract national attention, Isaac is excited about what’s next. Innovation Quarter is preparing to double in size, with another two million square feet of mixed-use space on the horizon. For those who are curious or hesitant, Isaac has a clear message: now is the time to make your move.
“There’s real momentum here. Real opportunity. And you can still get in early enough to shape what’s next.”