50 Most Influential Women 2023

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

he year 2023 has been filled with hope, breakthroughs and a world that is focused on thriving in the midst of difficulty. And our class of 50 Most Influential Women proves that no hardships can keep a good woman down as they have persevered through many new and recurring challenges.

our priorities and reorganize what was important enough to warrant our time

They pick themselves up when they stumble; find their way around – or

And this year we’re pleased to include our colleagues at North Carolina

through – obstacles and figure out how to thrive and make a difference in their communities.

Some of these women you will recognize because of the high profile they have achieved through work or philanthropy. Others you may not know, but we hope in reading this section you will soon feel that you do. Each exemplifies what most of us hope to achieve in our careers and our lives: a legacy of influence and support for those who follow.

They are entrepreneurs; they are trailblazers. They’re not afraid to take the heat and take on the establishment if it means improving the odds of success.

They are mentors, making others bold with their wisdom and experience, and by leading by example. They are passionate and compassionate, giving of their time, resources and energy to help those less fortunate, whether here

or commitment of resources, and we are so happy to see that for many of you returning to this time of honoring them was high on your list of things to welcome back after those dark days.

Lawyers Weekly in the festivities, by expanding the scope of the most influential women list to include attorneys from around the state of North Carolina.

We’re sure that they’ll add even more prestige to the event.

So, please, join us in recognizing these incredible honorees.

Considering the extraordinary achievements of so many nominees, naming just 50 was no easy task.

But that was our charge, and, as they do each year, the team working on these awards came through admirably, choosing women whose handiwork can be seen across the region. But it’s not hard to have faith – in our 50 nominees and in the hundreds and thousands of other women in our community – that their talents and energy will continue to improve life in the Queen City and beyond.

We hope you enjoy – and draw inspiration from – hearing their stories.

in our own community, nationally, or abroad.

Scott Baughman

They are, in a word, influential women.

Editor The Mecklenburg Times

We are so grateful and happy to finally be returning to celebrating them in person with our special event. The pandemic forced many of us to re-evaluate

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Ashley Adams 2. Monica R. Allen, Ph.D. 3. Kerry-ann Archer 4. Leah Barker Bailey 5. Lauren Bovit 6. Hannah Breed 7. Yolanda Bynum 8. Carla A. Carlisle 9. Dawn Chanland, Ph.D. 10. Heather Culp 11. Lopamudra Das Roy, Ph.D. 12. Marissa Date 13. Kandi Deitemeyer, Ph.D. 14. Birgit M Dilley 15. Leslie Cooley Dimukes 16. Monifa D. Drayton 17. Hon. Julianna T. Earp 18. Deborah L. Edwards 19. Kathleen Finch 20. Zoë Fisher 21. Shannon Frye 22. Nidiya Gaspar 23. Lexi Hazen 24. Shelby Dodd Hollister-Share

25. Amy Johnson 26. Tiffany Johnson 27. Jennifer Lechner 28. Virginia Luther 29. Ju-Don Marshall 30. Kate Gordon Maynard 31. Carrie McCament 32. Valecia M. McDowell 33. Kimberly McGregor 34. Laura Craver Miller 35. Alice Neece Mine 36. Elizabeth Murphy 37. Stacia Neugent 38. Mellissa Oliver 39. Ohavia Phillips 40. Kristen Powell 41. Moira Quinn 42. Kristin Dillard 43. Amy Strecker 44. Lisa Vogel 45. Mona Lisa Wallace 46. Jana Whitaker 47. Nikki Wolfe 48. Angie Zimmern

2 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

Ashley Adams Director of Venue Sales, Live Nation Charlotte After dreaming of a career in the events sector, Ashley Adams got her chance when she applied for and landed a sales coordinator job at Live Nation. Now, 18 years later, she is director of venue sales and loves her work.

“I’m fortunate to have spent my entire career with this company,” she says.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Adams helped coordinate her company’s Return to Live program after spending time on furlough and giving birth to a baby.

She says it was an accomplishment she doesn’t take for granted.

“Our entire industry was disrupted, but watching our clients who stuck by us come through the doors again was a career highlight and reminded me that this is a relationships business,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? Staying passionate. I am lucky to have a job where I get to help create premium live music experiences and memories for fans and clients. On show nights I stop for a few moments and let it soak in.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Focus on learning to control the things I can control, a lesson learned from my boss of 18 years, and not to waste time on things that don’t matter; those would both be at the top of the list.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. Nerd alert – I still check out books from the library. Here’s a life hack: Request the large print, the line is shorter.

Monica R. Allen, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Strategy & Innovation Mecklenburg County Charlotte Monica Allen is known as a change leader and demonstrates her skills in her role as director of the Mecklenburg County Office of Strategy and Innovation.

She also owns and management Insight Performance Management Group, specializing in change management and organizational development. She consults with small local governments, nonprofits outside Mecklenburg County.

Allen says she had always wanted to be a clinical psychologist, but some personal experiences led her to organizational psychology instead.

“When I changed my focus, I landed in local government and have not looked back,” she says. But I found that my passion for helping people is still alive and something I can do daily.”

What is your guiding principle? We have one life, live it well.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 3

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? My top professional accomplishment is becoming the first woman of color to lead the International Association for Strategy Professionals, a global organization serving those interested in strategy work.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? Trust the process and know everything will always be okay in life.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy traveling to see the world and spending time with loved ones.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I skydived in 2018 over Nevada and was able to see the Las Vegas Strip, the Hoover Dam, and the Colorado River. These are interesting sites to see all at once.

Kerry-ann Archer Senior Counsel, Commercial Lending Wells Fargo Charlotte Kerry-ann Archer says she would love to say that she is a master career strategist.

“However, the truth is my career path consists more of winding roads and off-the-beaten-paths,” she says.

“As I progress, I have come to appreciate the journey more and more.”

What is your guiding principle? One principle I find the most calming is – to steal the title from a book – Everything is Figureoutable.

What do you consider your top professional accom-

plishment? One of the coolest things I get to do as an attorney is provide pro bono services. Recently, I’ve received recognition for my work. I received the inaugural Volunteer of the Year award from the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Project. I hope that the more pro bono efforts are highlighted and celebrated, the more participation we’ll see.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am from Jamaica, where everything is “irie,” or at least, “figureoutable.”

Leah Barker Bailey

Senior Vice President of Leasing and Property Management, Red Rock Developments Charlotte Leah Barker Bailey says she was born and raised in the leasing and property management business and felt destined to work in that line of business.

“I knew at a very young age that real estate was what I wanted to do, and I chose that career path for myself,” she says.

She says her work is guided by Red Rock’s corporate values and principles, which also drive the entire corporate team to bring integrity to everything they do.

The belief that their reputation is sacred and their actions speak louder than words is at the core of their value system.

professional office and industrial real estate association, with 3,700 members in 45 countries and 722 cities,

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? My top accomplishment came when I was invited to be part of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors over 20 years ago. SIOR is the leading global

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I grew up riding horses competitively. And my father was a professional water skier.

4 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? I would tell myself to not worry about what other people think, instead, just focus on myself.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family.

Lauren Bovit President Center Line Locating Charlotte Lauren Bovit believes she has entrepreneurship in her DNA. She recalls watching her father go through a hardship in his career, which led him to his entrepreneurial career path and a life beyond anything he’d ever imagined.

“Growing up, I always felt the entrepreneurial spirit inside me, but I did not know which direction or industry it would lead me to,” she says. “I believe my father’s drive, work ethic, and dedication to our family, and my mother’s ability to join in his dream showed me I could conquer anything if I worked hard.”

Bovit seized the opportunity to purchase and grow Center Line Location and has given it her all.

“It so happens that my team believed in the same dream and that’s why the company has been a success,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? It doesn’t matter if it is professional or personal, every moment is a culmination of the effort you put into your path in life. It’s up to yourself to succeed or fail and along the way, everything happens for a reason.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Thus far, my top accomplishment is serving as President of CarolinaBUILT. Becoming a member of the executive board and taking part in leading the organization has been a major moment in my career.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Listen and pause before responding. It’s not about how quickly you answer, it’s about the words you choose and the execution of actions that speak the loudest.

Hannah Breed

Studio Manager Urban Design Partners Charlotte

Hannah Breed’s father was a civil engineer, and growing up, she loved touring his project sites and looking at the huge blue prints he brought home at night.

“I’ve always loved seeing how something can go from paper to being a completed project we can visit and enjoy,” she says. “In high school, I excelled in math, so engineering seemed like a natural fit.”

Over time, Breed gravitated toward land development and enjoys using her knowledge of other disciplines within civil engineering.

“Every project has different challenges that make it unique,” she says.

and succeed.

What is your guiding principle? To lead while being supportive and advocating for others. Having a manager that is willing to go to bat for you and make you feel included is essential to creating a safe culture to grow

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

When I’m not working or traveling, you can usually find me at a concert, trying out the newest brewery around Charlotte, or paddleboarding.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 5

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I consider getting my Professional Engineer’s license as my greatest accomplishment thus far.

To become a PE, you must graduate with a degree in engineering, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, work at least four years under a PE, and then take the PE exam. When I look at my PE seal, I see many years of hard work and dedication that got me to where I am today.

Yolanda Bynum Chief Operating Officer Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council Charlotte Yolanda Bynum credits her mother and father with sparking her love of education and the arts.

“I had a wonderful example in my parents,” she says.

“I initially went into classroom teaching, which was my childhood dream, and later learned that my real love was leadership development and working with adults.”

She is chief operating officer for the Hornets’ Nest Council of the Girl Scouts and says her guiding principle comes from her undergraduate studies at Winston-Salem State University.

“Enter to learn. Depart to serve,” she says. “No matter where my journey takes me, I always have a goal of learning and sharing what I glean with others.”

later selected as a national program model.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? My top professional accomplishment was reimagining a program for my organization that was

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am an international artist with a painting purchased by someone in Dubai.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? I would tell myself that high school popularity doesn’t matter past high school. I would also encourage my love for systems and formalizing processes. High school Yolanda would be shocked to know that her career is based off the things that made her the weird kid in school.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love painting and crafting. I am definitely my mother’s daughter.

Carla A. Carlisle Dedicated Executive Director Carla A. Carlisle, DBA The Compassionate Companion Charlotte Carla Carlisle’s ranging, diverse career has led her into the FBI where she practiced counterintelligence, corporate America, and government roles.

Then she fostered and adopted her son, a process that took eight years, and says that shifted the course of her life.

“Now my purpose revolves around educating individuals and organizations about mental health, trauma's impact, the essential nature of self-care, and the intricate links between mental well-being and overall health,” she says.

What is your guiding principle: "To whom much is given, much is expected."

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? While my TEDx talk "Becoming Trauma Informed Changed My Life" initially was my top accom-

6 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

plishment, it was surpassed by "My Big Notebook." A globally recognized, award-winning interactive children's workbook, co-authored with my son JC, now 13.

This resource empowers young minds to process emotions, nurture self-esteem, and envision a broader world beyond their circumstances. It is embraced by schools, counselors, therapists, caregivers, and youth.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Grant yourself grace, for you are deserving.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? My heart finds solace in dance, particularly to the rhythm of reggae. Moments with cherished family and friends, as well as exhilarating Peloton rides fill my leisure hours.

Dawn Chanland, Ph.D.

MBA Director and Professor of Management and Organizational Behavior, Queens College Charlotte Dawn Chanland’s career mission is understanding people’s potential and helping them unleash it.

“I believe most people can make an impact by leaning into their natural strengths and interests in ways that help meet society’s needs,” she says.

Chanland says she has always been drawn to helping people, and enjoyed coaching kids’ soccer when she was in college.

“Over time, I’ve leaned into areas like executive coaching that align with my strengths, leading to a meaningful and enjoyable career experience,” she says. “I also have the great fortune of having my wife Danielle, who helps me reflect and realize where I can have impact and where I most enjoy myself.”

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Finishing my doctorate at Boston University. The program was difficult and pushed me in ways

Congratulations Yolanda Bynum Chief Operating Officer at Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council

We’re so proud of your accomplishments as you continue to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place through sharing Girl Scouts in our community!

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 7

that I hadn’t been at any point in my life. Securing my doctorate set me on a path to a career I enjoy. But it was a challenging endeavor.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Find people throughout your life who challenge you to be your best self. Also, it’s okay to live a life of authenticity – don’t hide who you are.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Spending time with my wife and daughter. Family games, soccer, walking, traveling.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I coached a college soccer team when I was 23.

Heather Culp Attorney Essex Richards Charlotte Over the past 15 years, Heather Culp has planned, moderated, and spoken at over 55 seminars, conferences and podcasts on a variety of legal topics.

She is a bankruptcy attorney at Essex Richards and serves on the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Devoted to pro bono services, she volunteers with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of North Carolina. In 2020, she received the N.C. Bar Association Bankruptcy Council’s Pro Bono Award.

How did you determine your career path? I became a lawyer because I had an encouraging mock trial coach in junior high and high school, and I watched L.A. Law. What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Serving as the Mecklenburg County Bar president in 2017-2018.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. My sister gave me a scratch-off lottery ticket for Christmas 2021, and I won $10,000

Lopamudra Das Roy, Ph.D. Founder and President Breast Cancer Hub Charlotte Growing up in Northeast India, Lopamudra Das Roy’s interest in helping breast cancer patients facing dire straits due to late detection led to creating the Breast Cancer Hub. “The death rate is significantly higher in developing countries due to taboo, lack of awareness, and lack of access to healthcare facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment,” she says. “Seeing lives lost to cancer motivated me to resign from my job in 2017 and create BCH offering free services and providing grassroots, sustainable solutions.”

Das Roy says while she has received numerous scientific accolades and global awards, her greatest feeling of gratification comes from the reactions of patients and their family members she has helped save from a disease that would otherwise have gone undetected.

What is your guiding principle? My core fundamental is to develop simple sustainable solutions to early

8 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

cancer detection, to support the arduous journey of cancer patients and their families, and prevent loss of life. We serve humanity irrespective of color, culture, religion, language, and gender driven by our core values of ethics, integrity, and transparency.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I love to dance and experiment with cooking, but with the current expansion of Breast Cancer Hub and patient commitments, the 24 hours in a day falls short. So my relaxation is at home with family, unwinding with chai and homemade traditional sweets, and preparing my kids’ favorite dishes.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. My alternative career would have been to become a journalist for social justice.

Marissa Date

Associate IMEG Consulting Corporation Charlotte Rather than choosing a career, Marissa Date is certain her career chose her. She is an associate at IMEG, a leading engineering design firm.

With a keen interest in leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, Date was included on the 2023 Career Mastered National Diversity IMPACT 50 list as an Emerging Leader for her work in DEI at IMEG and in her community.

Date also serves on CREW Charlotte’s DEI committee, AIA Charlotte’s Women in Architecture and Citizen Architect Committees, and the Signatory Led Committee for CEOAct!on for Diversity and Inclusion.

What is your guiding principle? Trust, transparency, and collaboration. Another principle calls for valuing the collective wisdom and diverse thinking found

in groups. Trust what they bring to the table and be transparent about everything.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Being recognized in four major awards in 2023 for my DEI work in the Architectural/Engineering and Construction (AEC) space.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Every little step is still a step. Be courageous and take the step.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I like to spend time with my family and with our rescue pup, and I enjoy photographing the places we have been and the things we enjoy doing together.

Kandi Deitemeyer, Ph.D. President Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte Kandi Deitemeyer has parlayed her love of people with her interest in higher education. She is president of Central Piedmont Community College.

“My career in higher education came together shortly after leaving college,” she says. “I have always enjoyed working with individuals as they consider their calling in life and guiding them to the best possible options.”

Deitemeyer has a special affinity for community colleges. Before receiving advanced degrees from the University of South Florida, she graduated from Polk Community College in Florida and began her career there.

She rose through the ranks in various community colleges before being named as Central Piedmont Community College’s fourth president in 2016. She has served in that role for over six years.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 9

What is your guiding principle, or your North Star? It’s always about serving other people. If you use your gifts to help others, you will be filled with joy.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Leading Central Piedmont ranks at the top, but developing and coaching leaders throughout my career and seeing them succeed personally and professionally is unmatched.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? Enjoy the journey.

While you cannot see the road ahead, it is purposed.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Spending time with my family.

You’ve

Earned it... now Promote it...

Your inside source for real estate, development and construction information serving the counties of Mecklenburg, Union & Iredell VOLUME 96 NUMBER 42 ■

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TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 ■

network

Mosack Group Breaks Ground at Mint Hill Andy Griesinger

A

ndy Griesinger would like to be known for his efforts to help Charlotte grow and prosper. His mother lost her battle with breast cancer when he was a senior

in high school, and he considers his efforts to help others are a tribute to her.

“I am passionate about helping people, which was what

Above: Local officials including Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman George Dunlap, Mint Hill Mayor Brad Simmons and Mint Hill Commissioners Mike Cochrane, Dale Dalton, Patrick Holton and Tony Long joined Mosack Group CEO Glenn Mosack to toss out the ceremonial first shovel at the groundbreaking. Photo by Scott Baughman

led me into the residential real estate field,” he says. “I’m focused on giving back to Charlotte in ways I wasn’t fortunate enough to have when I was growing up.”

Griesinger has a Bachelor of Science degree in finance

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Editor

The Mosack Group broke ground on a new 115,000 square-foot facility in Mint Hill on June 11, as a small crowd gathered to celebrate the ceremonial beginning of the $9.7 million project. Construction was already underway by lead contractors Landmark Builders and the company is expecting the project to be completed by Nov. 1.

The project will retain 50 existing jobs and bring 21 new jobs to the county over the next five years, according to county economic development officials. The joint effort between the Town of Mint Hill and Mecklenburg County to entice Mosack to build in the community is the first economic development of its kind for Mint Hill.

“There are other towns in the county that take advantage of the opportunity to do economic development projects and I’m happy to see Mint Hill do its first,” said County Commission Chairman George Dunlap. “I hope it isn’t the last. When you think of the millions of dollars this project will cost, you also think of the tax dollars that are coming to Mecklenburg County from this. That is how we fund our schools, that is how we fund our parks. And I’m proud

to see y’all remaining in Mecklenburg County these days when you can do business almost anywhere.”

The county will support the investment through a Business Investment Program (BIP) grant of $134,839 over five years. The county estimates an additional $15,600 in sales tax revenue by the end of the grant term. The Town of Mint Hill is providing a grant for $59,015 over five years.

Owner and CEO Glenn Mosack said the assistance from the county was instrumental in locating the project in Mint Hill.

“I have learned more about construction than I ever thought I would during this project,” Mosack said. “But our family’s facilities have always been very aesthetically pleasing to our communities. When we appeared before the council we wanted to make sure it was a project that was designed to be beautiful for our community. We will have higher ceilings than our current building and that will make a huge difference both in appearance and for our operations.”

The Mosack Group imports and sells residential plumbing products to large scale

commercial retailers. With the relocation into a new facility, the Mosack Group will be able to onboard new manufacturing lines for PEX pipe extrusion.

from Virginia Tech and is a realtor with Keller Williams South

“The building plus land costs about $8 million and we will put in about $2 million worth of equipment that will produce PEX piping extrusion,” Mosack said, in a nod toward the major effort to return manufacturing to Mecklenburg County. “We hope this will be one of 8 or 10 lines of piping. Each line after the first will be about $1 million. And we are grading more of the land for an expansion down the road.”

the experience?

Mint Hill Mayor Brad Simmons said he also hoped it would be one of several new economic development projects for the town.

“Now that we have shown (Chairman) George’s GPS the coordinates of Mint Hill we hope to get you out here more often to what I consider the correct end of Highway 51,” Simmons said. “This was a great project and a lot of the work was done before I became Mayor but I get the privilege of announcing this project and taking all the credit. I hope it is the first of many.”

Reprinted with permission of The Mecklenburg Times © 2020

Park in Charlotte.

What was your first job? What did you learn from My first job was with my fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. I was a traveling leadership consultant and spent seven days a week on the road for two years. I visited over 60 campuses across the Southeast, Midwest, and part of Canada. I learned how to deal with all kinds of people in different types of situations. Living on couches, air mattresses, and

Phenom

the occasional hotel room teaches you to be flexible and

Keller Williams South Park Charlotte, N.C.

able to adapt to situations quickly.

What would you like to do in the next act of your life?

I’d love to have a team of my own to help expand my business and assist more homeowners in Charlotte. Becoming the most well-known realtor in Charlotte is a big goal of mine and putting a fantastic team together will help me fulfill that goal.

Reprinted with permission of The Mecklenburg Times © 2019

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Birgit M Dilley Construction manager and Owner’s Rep DCM-USA Birgit Dilley credits a move to Colorado right after college with setting her on a course for her career.

“I was introduced to a small construction company where I was told to work with every trade until I understood the company’s scope,” she says. “Only then could I become a worthy superintendent.”

She says she disagrees with the adage, “if you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Instead, she believes the opposite.

“If you enjoy what you do, you’ll work twice as hard,” she says. “I want to leave a legacy behind.”

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I am working with a client to design and manage the build of radiopharmecutical manufacturing facilities across the country. Being a part of this state-of-the-art healthcare industry is gratifying be-

CONGRATULATIONS! 2023 50 Most Influential Women Honoree

JA N A WH I TA K ER Director of Property Management NORTHWOOD OFFICE

Thank you, Jana, for your leadership and ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers!

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 11

cause these facilities will save lives.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Most people who know me would say, "she doesn't know how to not work." But in all seriousness, I redesigned my new home. I love spending time with my son and daughter and grandchildren. My husband and I also love going four-wheeling, and Uwharrie is the best.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I have a passion for philanthropy. One of my favorite activities for advocating and helping my charities was by entering a pageant. Many people are surprised that I am the reigning Mrs. U.S. United International 2022.

Leslie Cooley Dimukes Criminal Bureau Chief and Interim Director of the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory North Carolina Department of Justice Raleigh Leslie Cooley Dimukes can’t remember a time when she did not want to be a lawyer. Her parents were active in their community and influenced Dimukes to focus on public service.

“I didn’t really consider other alternatives,” she says.

After law school, she had applied at several public defender’s offices and one prosecutor’s office in District 26 in Charlotte where Peter Gilchrist made her a job offer and she never looked back.

What is your guiding principle? I have three: “Do just-

ly, love mercy, walk humbly” - Micah 6:8. Do the right thing, and treat people with kindness.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I spent many years as a child sexual abuse and human trafficking prosecutor at the state and federal levels, and I have prosecuted other violent crimes that have caused lasting harm to families. Being able to help them obtain justice, even if just a measure, is probably my top professional accomplishment.

Monifa D. Drayton Chief Executive Officer Drayton Leadership Group Charlotte Monifa Drayton was on a dedicated career path in government affairs, but along the way, that path took a hard turn.

“After attaining a leadership position in healthcare, I found my passion in leadership development,” she said.

Drayton’s next step was forming the Drayton Leadership Group, a firm committed to developing, growing, and advancing individuals to become next-level leaders.

She says her guiding principal is putting people before profit, paper, and processes.

“Too often when determining what is best, the humanity in decision making is often lost,” she says. “Therefore, if we consider the well-being and needs of the people first, I firmly believe all other aspects of business and community will resolve.”

What do you consider your top professional accom-

12 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

plishment? Being appointed as the first Black woman in 75 years to serve as chair of the Mecklenburg Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, overseeing a $250 million dollar budget has been the honor of my life.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Holding steadfast to the belief that you will never amount to anything will prove to be untrue. However, that constant negative energy will drive your greatest accomplishments and your work ethic. In time, you'll be considered an influential leader.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am an introvert and dread networking events. However, because of my many different roles, I have to move beyond my natural comfort zone and stretch to a “faux extrovert.”

Hon. Julianna T. Earp Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases, North Carolina Business Court Greensboro Julianna T. Earp says she is living her top professional accomplishment in her current position as a special superior court judge in North Carolina Business Court.

“New challenges come daily,” she says. “I most enjoy the time I spend with my clerks, who are recently minted lawyers. It is fun to experience the practice of law through their eyes.”

Always be honest. But never forget to be kind.

Keep following your professional goals but remember

your health. Work toward balance in all things.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. A few years back I was in a photograph that ran in People Magazine. The magazine didn’t include my name – I was only known as the “unidentified woman on the left.” But I was also only two pages away from Angelina Jolie.

Deborah L. Edwards Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer SteelPoint Matthe Deborah Edwards gets a great deal of satisfaction from the efforts she and her husband have directed to SteelPoint, their family business, which manufactures heavy duty trailers.

She adds that they have created a company culture “where our employees know they are valued and respected, practice teamwork every day, and take pride in their company and their contributions to its success.”

Edwards has two overriding principles that guide her approach to life.

“First, do the right and ethical thing with uncompromising moral values, even when nobody is looking,” she says. “And second, be kind, compassionate and generous to all.”

How did you determine your career path? My professional path was determined by having high-level goals and the willingness to adapt and step through doors as

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 13

they opened. I had dual interests and earned both an MBA and law degree. First, I took a traditional route into a law firm. After that, I had job opportunities in the corporate world, and when they seemed interesting, I grabbed them. All that culminated in joining my husband in our small family business and finding the real excitement of growing that company and providing more and more solid, good paying jobs for our community.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Learn to play golf. It’s a great relationship game.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I love to read. I love all things outdoors, traveling, and most of all, I love spending time with my family and friends.

Kathleen Finch Owner and President Charlotte Street Art Collaborative Charlotte As a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathleen Finch says she felt a “soul-crushing depression that couldn’t be assuaged by common methods.”

She craved face-to-face connections and sought solace in Instagram where she viewed images of the TAC Gallery in NoDa as it unfolded. What she saw set her on a path that changed her life.

“I’d always had a love affair with graffiti and street art going back to my high school days,” she says. “I was mesmerized by the vibrant colors of the graff artists painting its walls before artwork was hung.”

She found TAC & Graff/Street Art to be a safe haven to heal and started selling art there while connecting with artists.

“My heart was so full I eventually was compelled to give back to this community of artists that saved my life, hence the inception of my nonprofit Charlotte Street Art

Collaborative,” she says.

What is your guiding principle or your North Star? Love, simply love.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I have not reached the top yet, and I hope I never will. I thrive in the space of hard work, and camaraderie with those who choose a similar path. This path is not one with an endpoint, it is only limited by my imagination.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? Don’t hold back. Be your authentic self. Remember that who you are is beautiful, worthy, and full of love and light.

Zoë Fisher

Charlotte Aviation Studio Leader Greshamsmith Charlotte As the youngest and only female aviation studio leader at the architecture firm of GreshamSmith, Zoë Fisher is said to be setting the world on fire.

Among Fisher’s many accomplishments, she served as the lead architect for the construction phase of the Charlotte International Airport's terminal lobby expansion, a $600 million project over five years.

“I have always had a love of creativity and understanding how parts come together,” she says. “When I was a child, you could find me in the center of pile of Legos building things for my Barbies. My architecture and construction career is the perfect melding of my two passions.”

What is your guiding principle? Everyone deserves to be surrounded by a space that resonates and responds to them. From large-scale facilities like airport terminals to something as small scale as a bathroom renovation,

14 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

spaces should reflect the people and communities that use them.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Watching a younger staff member I mentored who had a shy and demure personality before joining our company blossom into a confident presenter leading teams of their own.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Don’t be limited by what you think you can do now. Today is just a small step, not the whole staircase.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy painting. It’s something I focused on during high school and still find time to paint large scale landscapes and florals inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keefe.

Shannon Frye Division Manager/CLT Development Center & Land Development City of Charlotte Charlotte Shannon Frye describes herself as “passionate and committed to public service.”

As the City of Charlotte’s division manager for land development, Frye and her staff are tasked with overseeing the city’s land development services, including subdivision administration, bond administration, plan review, construction inspections and zoning administration.

Since 2018 Shannon has served as one of the staff chairs (of the Development Services Technical Advisory Committee where she is recognized for her skills as a pro-active problem solver. She is known as a top leader and influencer for making a positive impact on the culture of her department.

For Frye, her role is a labor of love.

“Every day I have an opportunity to participate and partner in the growth and development of the City of Charlotte,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? Working together and

placing a high value on teamwork and collaboration.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? When I received the City of Charlotte Customer Service Award.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? I would say believe in yourself, so you don’t spend time worrying about what other people are saying about you. You are in full control of choices and the path.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I love going to concerts, cooking, visiting the beach, and spending time with my family.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I wanted to go to law school.

Nidiya Gaspar Founder & President Shakthi Corporation Charlotte Nidiya Gaspar says her guiding principles of sharing and paying it forward have led her to a role that gives her an opportunity to improve the lives of many immigrant women in her community.

Gaspar arrived in the United States at the age of 22 and faced many challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, transportation, difficulty adjusting to the customs, social norms, education system and job market, lack of support systems, racism, difficulty understanding laws and regulations, stress and fear.

“Despite these challenges, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone and actively work to adapt to the new environment,” she says.

Today she is devoted to helping others.

How did you determine your career path? I created a support system, and my goal is to share my knowledge and experiences to help other immigrants who are new

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 15

to this country. This drive and determination led me to establish Shakthi Corporation, a non-profit organization that aims to empower and support Asian immigrant women in the Greater Charlotte area.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Earning the trust with subordinates and having them choose me as their mentor and leader.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Anything in this world can be changed.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy shopping and hiking.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am a dancer.

Lexi Hazen

Partner CoxSchepp Construction Charlotte Lexi Hazen admits her love for taxes started at a young age, but in the end, she says her career chose her.

“My bachelor’s degree from Queens College aimed to lead me into actuarial science, but life had other plans,” she says. “After almost a decade as a bartender and bookkeeper, I had the opportunity to work with CoxSchepp as the controller, and a year after joining the company, I was offered a partnership.”

Hazen had always thought she would work for a bank or financial agency but found her love for construction blossomed quickly.

“I love my company, the guys I am partnered with, the amazing team we have working with us, and most importantly, the ability to learn something new every day,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? Communication and

the acquisition of knowledge. A wealth of problems can easily be solved with a quick conversation, and we should all strive to learn at least one new thing each day.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Spending time with my son, dog, and family. I love to cook and have a massive love for authentic Mexican food. I am always listening to music, attending live concerts as often as possible.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I love to sing karaoke to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the FBI should have hired me for the ability to find anything. I love to volunteer and have run a successful charity golf tournament for eight years.

Shelby Dodd Hollister-Share

Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Life Business Equitable Share As chief strategy and operations officer for life business at Equitable, Shelby Dodd Hollister-Share has grown her career from her role as an underwriting director. She quickly expanded her scope and now she is chief strategy and operations at Equitable.

“I started out as a management trainee for a Life Insurance Company and went on to roles in Underwriting and Operations where I have been for most of my career,” she sad What is your guiding principle? My guiding principle is integrity. I will not work for a company or an individual that exhibits questionable ethics.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Becoming an accomplished professional

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while also raising three daughters to be amazing women, who are highly accomplished in their own fields.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Relax, be yourself, have fun, and run your own race.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I love the beach. I love to travel, and I love spending time with my growing family.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I hiked down and out of the Grand Canyon in one day.

Amy Johnson Principal Strata Project Management Group Charlotte Amy Johnson fully believes that rather than choosing her career as a project manager, her career found her.

With her background in architecture and design, Johnson loves creativity, forging connections, and managing projects to produce the best deliverables.

“I started my career in design and have always been curious,” she says. “I am always looking for new and inventive ways of doing things.”

success of someone’s dream.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Believe in yourself and have the confidence to succeed. Every person is learning and creating, and walking a different journey in life and that is what makes each of us unique and needed in this world.

What is your guiding principle? This is a work in progress and evolving for me. I am learning more about myself every day and how to be my best authentic self.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Anything outside – spending time with friends and family, running, hiking, walking my dog, practicing yoga, and being active and creative.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Starting Strata. When I say yes to a commitment, I am going to bring my best self to the project, people, and opportunity to contribute to the

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I was on ESPU and did a mini-show on how to make over a college apartment on a budget.

Congratulations to CREW Charlotte Winners of 50 Most Influential Women Kerry-Ann Archer, Wells Fargo Hannah Breed, Urban Design Partners Dr. Dawn E. Chanland, Queens University of Charlotte Marissa Date, IMEG Birgit Dilley, DCM-USA Lexi Hazen, CoxSchepp Amy Johnson, Strata Project Management Group Tiffany Johnson, CBRE Virginia Luther, The Spectrum Companies Elizabeth Murphy, Alston & Bird Stacia Neugent GreerWalker, LLP Mellissa Oliver, NVR Lisa Vogel, Newmark Title Services Jana Whitaker, Northwood Office

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 17

Tiffany Johnson Managing Director | Alliance Director, EY Account CBRE Charlotte With a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit, Tiffany Johnson was drawn to the variety of career opportunities real estate offered. She earned her real estate license when she was 18 and started her own business to support herself through college.

“I sold real estate during the day and went to college at night,” she says. “After college, Healthcare REIT took a chance on me and that is when I fell in love with commercial real estate.”

Johnson launched CBRE’s Global Governance Program for the firm’s Google account, providing guidance to over 1,200 employees, overseeing 24 contracts, and delivering 100% compliance while creating continuous improvement.

What is your guiding principle? Do the right thing.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you

give your high school senior self? Set smart goals.

Build a positive network of relationships. Maintain your values. Always do the right thing and trust your gut. Take thoughtful chances and have the courage to go after what you want. Don’t be afraid to fail because it’s part of growing and learning.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

Spending time with my family is my priority, however I have learned to make time for well-being to recharge through running, yoga, peloton spin classes, trying new cuisine, and travelling.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I’m a classically trained singer and was part of a girl band before I found real estate.

Jennifer Lechner Executive Director N.C. Equal Access to Justice Commission Raleigh As executive director of the N.C. Equal Access to Justice Commission, Jennifer Lechner focuses on finding solutions and getting things done.

“I often work with justice system stakeholders who have many different perspectives and I ask myself if I can compromise to get results and still maintain the integrity of the work,” she says.

How did you determine your career path? Or did your career choose you? A little of both. I’ve always been sensitive to injustice and fought for fairness. When I

18 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

went to law school, I didn’t realize policy work on access to justice issues could be a career. Twenty-three years ago, I was given the opportunity to run an access to justice entity in another state and I’ve found the job is perfectly suited to my skills and values.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I’m so proud of the team we have put together at the Equal Access to Justice Commission and the scope of the work we accomplish.

Virginia Luther Managing Director The Spectrum Companies Charlotte Virginia Luther says the pinnacle of her career so far has been her involvement in Vantage South End, a 635,000 square foot ground up mixed-use development.

“During COVID, we delivered and fully leased the office building, far surpassing the success of our peers and challenging the status-quo of office building experiences today,” Luther says.

Luther grew up with commercial real estate in her blood.

“My grandfather and father were owners, developers and brokers, and I grew up hearing all about it at the dinner table,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? Always do the right thing. I can do anything I put my mind to and should always do things that scare me, take me out of my com-

fort zone, and continue to challenge me professionally.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? Follow the “let them” theory. Don’t spend time and energy trying to control other people’s decisions and actions. You can tap into peace and true control if you “let them” – people will then reveal who they are.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. My family and I recently got cast on “Artfully Designed,” a home makeover TV show on the Magnolia Network, filmed in Charlotte, The crazy part is you release all interior design decisions to the show, which for an opinionated, type A person is challenging, but I am excited to be surprised by the outcome.

Ju-Don Marshall President and CEO WFAE Charlotte As a child, Ju-Don Marshall saw disparities in the town where she grew up and noticed they were never covered by local media, and this inspired her career in journalism.

“As a journalist and a media leader, I aspire to lead newsrooms that not only tell those stories but also equip communities to tell the stories themselves,” she says.

Marshall has been responsible for the significant growth in coverage of the Charlotte area in several ways.

She launched EQUALibrium, an initiative focusing on bringing Charlotte area residents and leaders together for more impactful conversations about race and equity issues and deeper reporting on these issues.

She has partnered with other publications to help WFAE reach wider audiences and has worked with universities, foundations, and nonprofits to bring more young professionals into the WFAE newsroom.

“My North Star is WFAE's mission, which is to strength-

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 19

en our community by producing journalism that informs, enriches and inspires people to action,” she says.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? There's is no single accomplishment that I consider above others. Instead, value the cumulative impact of fair, compelling and inclusive journalism I have led.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Trust your instincts.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family, mentoring young people, and doing genealogical research.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I love karaoke.

Kate Gordon Maynard Shareholder and General Counsel Robinson Bradshaw Charlotte After practicing law for 23 years at Robinson Bradshaw, Kate Maynard feels like she is just hitting her stride, and says she is proud of her contributions to the firm’s success.

“I am also proud of the collaborative effort that launched Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Business, a nonprofit legal services organization that serves small business owners in Charlotte,” she says.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? I would encourage myself to

define and seek my own version of success, rather than striving for some objective standard set by others.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family doing almost any outdoor activity.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I grew up on a farm in western Kentucky and now have my own backyard chickens and vegetables.

Carrie McCament

CEO Chernoff Newman Charlotte

With over 30 years of marketing and business development experience, Carrie McCament is known as a strong leader who cultivates fresh approaches to problem solving and creativity.

She brings value to her clients through her instincts for understanding brands, building loyalty in the marketplace, and finding breakthrough approaches to her clients that yield results.

McCament and her team at Chernoff Newman love what they do and strive to lead by example.

How did you determine your career path? I have known what I wanted to do with my career since my sophomore year in high school, and everything I have done to that end has been intentional.

What is your guiding principle? My guiding principle is deciding what I want, then making a plan, and working

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on that plan every single day.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? I built and launched a premiere marketing-to-women consultancy from the ground up. It’s called Frank About Women.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Don’t take yourself too seriously.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy spending time with my three adult sons.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I play the piano and folk guitar.

Valecia M. McDowell

Partner Moore & Van Allen Charlotte

Valecia McDowell had planned to get a Ph.D. in health psychology, focusing on the impact of psycho-social factors on cardiovascular health in the Black community, but the idea of committing her career to research was daunting.

“I understood myself well-enough to know that I needed people,” she says. ‘I wanted to be a part of a team, and that self-awareness led me to the law.”

Today she is a leader at Moore & Van Allen, including serving on the firm’s management committee.

What is your guiding principle? My family is my North Star. Everything begins and ends with them.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Developing a national reputation as a pragmatic, strategic thinker who is trustworthy and candid.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Reading fiction. Which I’ve never stopped doing. It is my joyful escape.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. My homemade croissants are pretty amazing.

Kimberly McGregor CEO/Founder SYDKIMYL Educational Consulting Charlotte After more than 15 years as a school counselor, Kimberly McGregor decided it was time to challenge herself to step out of her comfort zone and embark on a relentless pursuit of a greater good. She launched SYDKIMYL, serving K-12 students across Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties who need support with social skills, educational training, and transitioning in school.

“My goal is to grow SYDKIMYL to a point when every child in Mecklenburg County thinks of social emotional learning they think of SYDKIMYL,” she says.

The firm has been growing since the day it was launched, McGregor adds.

“We started our program with a pilot of 25 scholars per week in January 2020, and by the end of the school year in May 2023, we were teaching 2200 scholars a week in both Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties,” she says.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 21

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? To network and to build relationships with my teachers in high school and in college.

I also wish I had known about the power of affirmations.

I would have written them daily.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling to places I have never been, and giving back to my community through my volunteer service organizations.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I received my first degree in communications-broadcast news, and I worked in television for an NBC affiliate for two years right out of college.

Laura Craver Miller

Partner Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Winston-Salem Laura Miller says she has always had an idea that she wanted to be a lawyer, and as she proceeded through high school, she ruled out interests in coursework like biology, or pathways toward teaching.

“Law seemed like the only option,” she said. “And by the time I graduated from college, the law continued to pull on me.”

Today, she is convinced she made the right career choice, and enjoys her interdisciplinary practice.

What is your guiding principle? It’s a quote I have in my

office: “Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your character, and your character determines your destiny.” It’s a reminder about how I want to live my life and how I want others to see me.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy watching my boys (10 and 13) play baseball and basketball. I also love reading and traveling with friends and family.

Alice Neece Mine

Executive Director North Carolina State Bar Raleigh

After seven years in private law practice, Alice Mine felt she needed a change, so she applied for a new role with the N.C. State Bar. Thirty years later, she is still there, and believes her career chose her.

Across her career, Mine has achieved several notable accomplishments and ranks two of them at the top of the list.

“I served as legal counsel for two comprehensive revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct in 1997 and 2003, and successfully managed the State Bar through a ransomware attack and COVID,” she says.

22 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Borrowing from the title of Annie Lamott’s book, taking each task “bird by bird”— one step at a time will get you to your goal.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I was raised a Quaker (the Religious Society of Friends), in an unprogrammed meeting, and still don’t take kindly to folks preaching at me.

Elizabeth Murphy Partner Alston & Bird Charlotte Elizabeth Murphy has spent her entire career at Alston & Bird, starting as a case clerk assistant in the finance group.

“I barely knew what was going on, but I loved the teamwork, and I adored that even as a case clerk, I had an important role to play,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? I’m a firm believer in being a “doer” and a “hustler”. In the legal profession, we are competing with competent lawyers at other firms for work. What my team can offer though is extra

Trailerized Solutions That Move Your Business Forward

hustle. We know what it takes to close a deal and we’ll go the extra mile to get it done.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. When I need someone to talk to, I always call my grandmother. She’s 98 years young and lives in Erie, Pennsylvania. She has wisdom in years and life experiences that’s unmatched and her support, love, and encouragement is something I value above all else.

Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women 2023

Congrats Kimberly McGregor CEO/Founder of SYDKIMYL Educational Consulting Congratulations to all the 50 Most Influential Women of 2023, but most especially to our own

Deborah Edwards,

Explore all things SYDKIMYL

Let’s Connect on LinkedIn

whose dedication to excellence and empowerment is influential and inspiring to all who know her both inside our company and in the broader community.

FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 23

Stacia Neugent Partner, Tax Services GreerWalker Charlotte Growing up, Stacia Neugent loved math. She understood the concepts but considered it a challenging subject.

“When I took my first accounting class in college, I absolutely loved it, and I felt the same way with my first tax class,” she says. “It was the perfect blend of math and problem solving. I have stayed in public accounting because I am also a people person and love getting to help clients solve problems.”

She says becoming a partner at GreerWalker is her top professional accomplishment so far in her career.

“It was great to realize my hard work paid off,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? Empathy. You never know what a person is going through – personally or

professionally.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Live for the moment and don’t worry about what is next. You have the rest of your life to focus on that.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love spending time with my family, attending Burn Bootcamp, reading, and anything outdoors.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I used to drive a yellow stick-shift Volkswagen beetle and I affectionately referred to it as Sunshine – it was by far my favorite car.

Mellissa Oliver

Lead Acquisition Manager NVR She says she has just started with NVR Charlotte As professional accomplishments go, it’s hard to beat the sense of satisfaction when you can enjoy your own creations.

Just ask Mellissa Oliver who contributed her civil engineering experience and skills to developing The RailYard in SouthEnd. “I love to go there for fun with family and friends,” she says. “There are always good times to be had on this block.”

How did you determine your career path? My career chose me. Originally, I wanted to be an architect. However, my strength in STEM fields and problem-solving led me to pursue a civil engineering degree. After being exposed to land development, I knew I wanted to be on the development side. This allowed me to directly contribute to decisions that shape future Charlotte communities. Now, I'm at the forefront of selecting land for these communities.

24 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

What is your guiding principle? Do the best you can with good intentions, good morals, and surrounded by good people.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Time is your most precious resource. Don't waste it.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love being with family and friends in front of a great meal. I enjoy traveling to Italy and other destinations. I also enjoy working with the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Charlotte, and having conversations with good people.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I'm half Italian and currently working on dual citizenship.

Ohavia Phillips Owner The Oh Show Charlotte Growing up, Ohavia Phillips was the little girl at family functions who liked to roll up a magazine and use it as a microphone to interview her family. Today, she calls those actions a prophesy of what was ahead.

“Now, I work in all things community, media, sports, and entertainment,” she says. “I get to impact the city I love through positivity in media.”

Phillips says leading with love is among her guiding principles.

“Leading with love allows me to listen more than I speak, learn so I can be a better change agent, and never assume that people know anything, but leave the space for perspectives to be enlightened and changed,” she says.

What do you consider your top professional accom-

McGuireWoods salutes legal excellence in our lawyers and our respected peers.

Congratulations to our attorney Angie, and the other 2023 honorees.

plishment? My top professional accomplishment has been adding two powerhouses to the first and official Oh Team. Bringing them on has helped me bring big ideas to life, create a better workflow, and become the best version of myself as a business owner.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family, I am the oldest of five and we are very close. I also love going to museums, and I love to dance and eat.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. If I wasn’t working in television or media, I am sure I would be a rapper. I’m good at freestyling, rhyming, and putting words together on the fly. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

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ANGIE ZIMMERN

2023 50MIW HONOREE

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FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 25

Kristen Powell

President/CEO Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas Charlotte Kristen Powell was working in hospitality and marketing for the Carolina Panthers when she met her husband who also worked for the Panthers. When they became engaged, Powell left her job in search for a new opportunity and learned about an opening for a membership director position with the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas, a professional association.

“Once I started working with ABC, I knew I was home,” she says. “The members and staff have become family, and I have found a passion for changing the perception of the construction industry and promoting skilled trades in schools.”

What is your guiding principle? First is Micah 6:8 – Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. Another comes from my time with the Panthers, where we focused on five key words: Hard work, harmony,

teamwork, listen, and respect. By focusing on these principles, the rest takes care of itself.

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Being a part of the Carolinas ABC team that was awarded Chapter of the Year in 2021 by ABC National. We are in the process of creating a 501c3 Foundation, which will create numerous programs that promote our Workforce Development initiatives through partnerships with local schools and other associations.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I enjoy doing yard work and gardening. I love to mow the yard, pick weeds, plant flowers and vegetables. I’m slowly getting better and keeping more plants alive!

Moira Quinn Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Communications Charlotte City Center Partners Charlotte Moira Quinn considers herself fortunate to have had two rewarding careers, one as a journalist and entertainment host at WBTV, and the other at Charlotte City Center Partners.

“There are connecting threads in both careers,” she says. “I have always had opportunities to help make Charlotte a better place for all my neighbors and my children to work, play and live.”

Quinn says she gravitates to people who possess integrity and inspire trust.

“I strive to be a person of integrity who can be trusted,” she says. “My core advice to jobseekers is to be sure your employer is someone with integrity who will never ask you to do anything unethical.”

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? Being one of the key drivers behind Charlotte’s Home For All strategic framework. It’s a long-term

26 | FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023

plan to address homelessness and housing insecurity in Charlotte. I am proud of the community engagement work with hundreds of stakeholders taking part.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Listen first, talk later. You learn when you listen.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

Reading, gardening, cooking, spending time with my family, and home remodeling. We are almost finished remodeling our home so I’m watching HGTV for ideas Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I sing soprano. In college I was one of five freshmen in the performance voice curriculum at Florida State University. I sing in the Temple Beth El choir.

Kristin Dillard Sodoma

President Team Automotive Group Charlotte

Kristin Dillard Sodoma recalls how her father got his foot the door in the automotive industry by washing cars.

“He worked his way up to GM until he had the means to purchase a dealership, the very first Team Automotive Group dealership in Salisbury,” she says. “Growing up, I worked at my dad’s dealership in all the departments and learned every part of the business.”

Dillard considers her work growing the family business from one dealership location to six across North and South Carolina, as her top major accomplishment.

“By growing, we are able to offer our team various opportunities for new roles, career paths, promotions and individual growth,” she says.

How did you determine your career path? I’ve grown up in the automotive industry, watching my dad build

Congratulations Mona Lisa Wallace for being named one of the 50 Most Influential Women of 2023

www.wallacegraham.com | 704.633.5244 525 N. Main St., Salisbury, NC FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 27

a successful business. Working my way up through the company was both inspiring and humbling, and along the way, I fell in love with the world of automotive retail.

What is your guiding principle? Lead with love. I lead and encourage my management team to lead by prioritizing our team’s well-being. It’s one of our core values at Team Automotive Group.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I love cooking large meals for my family and friends and trying new recipes. We love to entertain!

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I love extreme whitewater rafting. I recently finished the 24-mile Gauley River Marathon which includes 50 intense rapids.

Amy Strecker

President, Duke Energy Foundation Duke Energy Amy Strecker has worked hard to achieve her top professional accomplishment – re-envisioning the Duke Energy Foundation’s focus to better align the company’s clean energy transition.

“We’re focusing on projects that prepare communities and the workforce with the resources and tools the industry needs to transform,” she says.

Strecker says kindness is her north star.

“We never know what another colleague, nonprofit partner or stranger is going through,” she says. “Clear expectations and transparent communication are also forms of kindness in the workplace.”

and philanthropy at a Duke Energy company. I loved the essential mission and culture of the organization, and I have built a wonderful career at Duke Energy.

How did you determine your career path? Or did your career choose you? My plan was to start a nonprofit serving eastern North Carolina, but during the 2008 recession, I found myself working in communications

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I excel at folding fitted sheets.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? The oddballs of high school become the most interesting and compassionate adults. Don’t lose touch with them.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I am a voracious reader and love exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Lisa Vogel

Senior Managing Partner Newmark Title Services Charlotte After serving as a stay-at-home mom, Lisa Vogel set out to start a career.

“I needed a job, and at that time had one job offer, so I took it,” she says. “I got lucky with the CEO who hired me. He eventually became a great mentor of mine.”

She went on to become an award-winning leader in the title services profession and considers among her top accomplishments starting the national commercial division of a title agency from scratch, with no contacts or handouts.

“Over a seven-year timeframe, I grew the revenue large enough to support 20 employees,” she says.

What is your guiding principle? This quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

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If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Be true to who you are and be proud of yourself, no matter what.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hanging out with my kids and husband, pickleball with family, ‘walk-and-talks’ with friends/colleagues, tennis, and performing random acts of kindness Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I was a White House intern the summer after my freshman year of college. That summer, I also used my Division I tennis skills to teach then-Vice President Dan Quayle a thing or two on the tennis court.

Mona Lisa Wallace

Founding Partner Wallace & Graham Salisbury

Mona Lisa Wallace says she chose her career path when she was in the 7th grade.

“I saw what we now define as bullying and inequality and recognized the opportunities that being a trial lawyer would open for me to help others,” she says. “I have always strived to do what is right, kind, and ethical, regardless of the financial implications.”

What do you consider your top professional accomplishment? My success at balancing family and a challenging legal career. I am proud of Wallace & Graham,

Congratulations

Kerry-Ann Archer

50 Most Influential Women of 2023 FIFTY MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 | 29

which is one of the most successful and lasting law firms in the Southeast.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Don’t take life so seriously. I used to be far more inpatient than I am now. With age, comes wisdom and forbearance.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am an excellent pianist. I can hear a song and play it by ear.

Jana Whitaker Director of Property Management Northwood Office Charlotte Jana Whitaker was like many college students seeking to navigate her education and matching it up with a potential career. She knew she was interested in business management, real estate and design.

She says she fell into her career path, which led her to property management.

Her hard work, experience and love of her career served her well during the COVID-19 pandemic when she worked up to 19 hours a day leading her team and serving her customers.

“It was exhausting,” she says. “But my hard work was acknowledged at Northwood Office through winning the company annual Make It Happen award, accepting the 2021 Globe St. Women in Business award and becoming one of six Charlotte Women of the Year featured in Char-

lotte Women Magazine in 2021.”

What is your guiding principle or your North Star? Leading with authenticity.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school senior self? Enjoy the ride because it will all work out.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy spending time with my son, family, and friends, reading, and skiing.

Name on thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I enjoy baking.

Nikki Wolfe Senior P.R. Specialist Yellow Duck Marketing and Freelance Marketing Professional Charlotte Nikki Wolfe credits her mother with instilling in her the strong work ethic that has led her to be successful.

“I come from a single-parent home, and my mom is one of the hardest working people to walk this earth,” she says. “Her influence pushes me every day to do all I can to be successful.”

She describes her career as a winding path, starting with an internship at a television news station.

“My journey in TV began in the newsroom but evolved into marketing,” she says. “This transition paved the way for my role as the Charlotte community and marketing director at Yelp.”

She credits that role for opening the door to her career in public relations What do you consider your top professional accom-

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plishment? During my time at Yelp, Ted Williams named me a media mind to watch: “Nobody is more connected in Charlotte’s food and drink scene than Nikki. Her work ethic and insider knowledge are unparalleled…. But the real thing that separates Nikki from other media talent is that she’s fearless. She’ll tell you the truth and isn’t afraid to be raw. You can’t teach her voice.”

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Just make sure to take time to find your real self and discover your real passions in life.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I was a chemistry and pre-pharmacy major in college.

Angie Zimmern

Pro Bono Director and Counsel McGuireWoods Charlotte Angie Zimmern is so devoted to helping others through pro bono work, she gave up her day-to-day practice at McGuireWoods to serve as the firm’s first pro bono director.

“Pursuing a career of service is the reason she went to law school in the first place,” she says. “We’ve grown the pro bono participation of McGuireWoods attorneys and our corporate partners, and we are bringing more pro bono service to those in need through programs like Charlotte Triage.”

What is your guiding principle? Staying focused on the

needs of people I serve in my philanthropic commitments. When in doubt, I return to the goal of trying to improve the lives of those people, and the right answers fall into place.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your high school self? Do not listen to “no” people.

Dream as big as you can.

Name one thing about yourself that your colleagues might be surprised to know. I am a Cameron Crazie to the core.

50 most influential women 2023 VALECIA MCDOWELL Practice Co-head, White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Practice Head, Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments National thought leader in the areas of governmental and internal investigations, conduct risk management, and civil rights and racial equity assessments, ranked in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers, included in national publications such as Bloomberg, American Banker, Corporate Compliance Insights, and Inside Counsel, and serves on Law360’s Compliance Editorial Board

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