- Ph.D., Theological Studies, Eli College and Seminary
- MBA, Social Entreprenuership, Lenoir-Rhyne University
- B.A., Sociology, University of North Carolina, Asheville
J Hackett, an instructor for the Lenoir-Rhyne Equity and Diversity Institute, is an executive director with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit world. He has led initiatives and organizations from the grassroots to the international level and helped build bridges across cultures.
Hackett’s work has been recognized in the North Carolina Bar Journal for social enterprises, and he’s been honored by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Hackett has been published in the Association for Addiction Professionals scholarly journal. He is an expert in social entrepreneurship, community and economic development and discovering purpose.