William McNeely is an entrepreneur and nonprofit executive whose career spans marketing, education, and technology — including a role as a Market Development Executive at Apple. He is the founder and CEO of Do Greater Charlotte, where he has built a community dedicated to the next generation of creative leaders through technology, inspiring spaces, and a strong network of partners.

At the heart of that work is Sparkhouse, Do Greater’s creative opportunity ecosystem, anchored by the 20,000-square-foot Sparkhouse Uptown flagship on North Tryon Street. Sparkhouse equips youth and young adults with skills across creative trades, digital creativity, creative technologies, and entrepreneurship. William’s entrepreneurial drive shows in the multiple ventures he has launched, and his personal story is one of extraordinary resilience — including recovery from a double lung transplant that reinforced his life’s mission to inspire change. His guiding belief: your limitations are the oxygen that fuels your purpose.

Named 2025 Charlottean of the Year, William has served on multiple nonprofit boards and remains a force in faith-based community work. His current focus is expanding the Sparkhouse platform across Charlotte — building an inclusive support system for underestimated youth and the entrepreneurs whose ability has never been the question, only their access.