Nancy Ragonese didn’t set out to become a leader in sustainable tourism. She simply wanted to protect the culture and landscape of her hometown, Aiken, South Carolina. That mission led her to create Palmetto Pathways, a nonprofit focused on sustainable tourism, local business growth, and land conservation.
Today, she’s widely recognized for her efforts to balance progress with preservation. “You can’t stop growth,” she says. “But you can guide it in a way that respects history and benefits the whole community.”
Her work has earned her awards like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award and the South Carolina Women in Business Excellence Award. But for Ragonese, the real reward is seeing Aiken thrive.
Growing Up in the Heart of Equestrian Country
Nancy was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, on a family-owned farm. Horses weren’t just part of her childhood—they were part of the culture. “If you grew up in Aiken, you probably rode before you could walk,” she jokes.
Her parents, Thomas and Margaret Ragonese, ran an equestrian training center, and her brother, Daniel, later became a veterinarian specializing in equine care. That deep-rooted connection to animals, nature, and community values shaped Nancy’s path early on.
The Shift from Marketing to Mission-Driven Work
After high school, Nancy attended the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2002. She started her career in marketing, working for a regional agency in Columbia, South Carolina. She later moved to the South Carolina Tourism Board, where she worked on tourism initiatives focused on balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.
But something was missing. “I wanted to work on the ground level, where I could see the impact firsthand,” she says.
That realization led her to launch Palmetto Pathways in 2010, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Aiken’s unique character while promoting sustainable tourism and small business growth.
Preserving Aiken’s Charm Through Sustainable Tourism
Through Palmetto Pathways, Ragonese has spearheaded initiatives like the Harvest to Market Festival, which connects local farmers and artisans with consumers, and Ride Aiken, an equestrian tourism program that showcases the region’s riding trails while advocating for land conservation.
“We have something special here,” she explains. “But if we don’t manage growth wisely, we risk losing what makes Aiken unique.”
Her approach isn’t about stopping development—it’s about guiding it in a way that benefits everyone. She collaborates with local business owners, conservationists, and government officials to ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of Aiken’s history and natural beauty.
A Measured Approach to Growth
In a world that often prioritizes rapid expansion, Ragonese believes in slow, meaningful growth. “Everyone wants things to move fast,” she says. “But real success comes from deep roots, not quick wins.”
She learned that lesson firsthand when an early initiative failed to gain traction because she hadn’t fully understood the needs of the community. “I thought I knew what people wanted,” she admits. “But I didn’t take the time to listen. That experience taught me that you have to start with the people you’re trying to serve.”
Now, before launching any project, she talks to local business owners, farmers, and residents to understand their needs. That approach has made Palmetto Pathways a trusted resource in Aiken.
Balancing Work, Family, and Passion
Outside of her nonprofit work, Ragonese stays deeply involved in the community. She volunteers with the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare and supports land conservation efforts with the Aiken Land Conservancy.
She also makes time for her family. She and her husband, Michael, live on a small farm with their children, Emma and Jackson, along with their rescue dog, Willow.
“You have to be intentional about balance,” she says. “For me, that means setting aside time for family dinners, taking a break to ride, or just spending time outside.”
The Legacy of Thoughtful Leadership
Ragonese’s impact on Aiken is clear, but she doesn’t measure success by awards or recognition. She measures it in the strength of local businesses, the preservation of open land, and the pride people have in their town.
“I want people to feel like they have a stake in their community,” she says. “If we can make sustainable choices today, we’ll create a future where Aiken’s history and progress go hand in hand.”
Her approach is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of tradition—it can build on it. And for Aiken, that’s exactly what she’s doing.
