Nancy Ragonese
Executive Director
Palmetto Pathways
Aiken, South Carolina, United States
About Nancy Ragonese
Nancy Ragonese is an American nonprofit executive and advocate for sustainable tourism. She is the founder and executive director of Palmetto Pathways, a nonprofit organization based in Aiken, South Carolina. The organization promotes sustainable tourism, supports small businesses, and helps preserve Aiken’s cultural and natural heritage.
Ragonese was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, on her family’s farm. She developed an interest in equestrian culture, conservation, and community development at an early age. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2002. In 2008, she completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Harvard Extension School.
She began her career in marketing, working at Palmetto Marketing Group in Columbia, South Carolina. She later joined the South Carolina Tourism Board, where she focused on tourism initiatives that balanced economic development with environmental and cultural preservation.
In 2010, she founded Palmetto Pathways. Under her leadership, the organization has launched initiatives such as the Harvest to Market Festival, which connects local businesses with consumers, and Ride Aiken, which promotes equestrian tourism and land conservation.
Ragonese has received several awards, including the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award and the South Carolina Women in Business Excellence Award. She also volunteers with the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare and the Aiken Land Conservancy.
She lives in Aiken with her husband, Michael Ragonese, and their two children.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
Palmetto Pathways
South Carolina Tourism Board
Palmetto Marketing Group
Education
University of South Carolina
Media
Press
Awards & Recognition
- Aiken Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award – Aiken Chamber of Commerce (2018)
- South Carolina Women in Business Excellence Award – South Carolina Business Association (2021)
- Equestrian Heritage Advocate Award – (2023)
- Sustainable Tourism Innovator of the Year – (2024)
Licenses & Certifications
- Certified Nonprofit Management Professional (CNMP) – Harvard Extension School (2009)
Charities & Volunteering
- SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare – Volunteer (Event Support & Fundraising)
- Aiken Land Conservancy – Volunteer (Land Conservation Initiatives)
Boards & Memberships
- Young Entrepreneurs of Aiken – Mentor
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nancy Ragonese do?
Nancy Ragonese is the founder and Executive Director of Palmetto Pathways, a nonprofit based in Aiken, South Carolina that promotes sustainable tourism, supports small businesses, and helps preserve the area's cultural and natural heritage.
What is Nancy Ragonese known for?
She is known as an advocate for sustainable tourism and community development, having launched initiatives such as the Harvest to Market Festival and Ride Aiken, and she has received honors including the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award and the South Carolina Women in Business Excellence Award.
Where is Nancy Ragonese based?
She is based in Aiken, South Carolina, United States, where she was born and raised.
Where did Nancy Ragonese study?
She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2002 and later completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Harvard Extension School in 2008.
Who does Nancy Ragonese work for?
She works for Palmetto Pathways, the nonprofit organization she founded in Aiken, South Carolina.
Last updated February 20, 2026