St. Andrews University will present former Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Linda A. Carlisle with The Ethel N. Fortner Writer and Community Award in April.

The invitation only presentation will be made during the weekly Writers’ Forum timeslot on April 4.

Created in 1986 to honor Ethel N. Fortner, who was a friend to writers and frequent contributor to the St. Andrews Review, the award has been given to ardent supports of the arts in communities ranging from journalists to activists to publishers. The 2012 award was given to Lisbeth C. Evans, a predecessor of Carlisle’s at the Department of Cultural Resources.

Carlisle served as Secretary under Gov. Beverly Perdue beginning in January 2009. Prior to her appointment, Carlisle was a corporate and banking executive, entrepreneur and active community volunteer.

Early in her professional career, she served in a broad range of executive positions with what is now Bank of America. In 1979, she began her own company alongside her husband. After selling the business in 1989, she continued to serve as president of the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fortune 200 Company until her retirement in 1997. After retirement, she expanded her roles and focus on community, educational and political interests.

Carlisle has provided leadership, strategic planning, financial expertise and key resource development with a variety of organizations. She has served on a number of community boards, statewide commissions, and university boards of trustees and was named in January 2012 to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

While leading the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Carlisle has focused on expanding the understanding of the creative economy’s impact and contribution to the state’s economic environment. Her “Creativity Means Business” message has been credited with a higher profile of creative assets of the state and a broader appreciation of their role in creating a dynamic environment for economic development.

Twice recognized as one of “The Triad’s Most Influential People,” Carlisle received the 2009 Spirit of Entrepreneur Award from Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina and the 2006 Women in Business Award from the Business Journal.