Skip to Main Content

Top Searched

null

Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year

Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year, now in its 38th year, exemplifies the university’s unwavering commitment to recognizing and fostering female leadership within the local and regional business community. Established in 1986, this prestigious event honors exceptional businesswomen who have made substantial and enduring contributions to the Charlotte region’s business, civic, and cultural life.

We are pleased to present the 2024 Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award to Kristi Coleman, Chief Executive Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment and President, Carolina Panthers.

Kristi Coleman

In December 2024, Coleman was appointed CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, where she oversees all business operations for TSE, which includes the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Football Club, and Bank of America Stadium. Coleman also serves as President of the Carolina Panthers, a role she has held since February 2022, becoming only the second-ever female president in NFL history.

In her roles, Coleman is responsible for navigating the dynamic challenges of operating in a multibillion-dollar industry – from fostering relationships with league officials, partners, and stakeholders, spearheading innovative business opportunities, and enhancing fan engagement, to overseeing all aspects of the organization’s business initiatives and developments.

Coleman originally joined the Panthers in 2014, and in her decade with the organization, she has risen from Controller to her executive leadership roles today – a testament to her work ethic, proactive mentality, and comprehensive skill set. Recently, Coleman represented TSE as the leader of the Bank of America Stadium renovation project, ultimately securing the Charlotte City Council’s vote for a joint $800 million renovation plan. She also negotiated the extension of the stadium’s naming rights deal with long-time partner, Bank of America, and spearheaded the Panthers’ new indoor practice facility project set to open in 2026.

She is deeply committed to the community, sitting on the Board of Trustees for Queens University of Charlotte and the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Board of Directors of Charlotte Sports and Charlotte Center City Partners and the President Advisory Board of Clemson University. She is also a member of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council and serves on the finance committee of Girls on the Run.

Coleman has been recognized for her accomplishments with the Charlotte Business Journal ‘40 Under 40 Award’ in 2020 and Sports Business Journal ‘Game Changers Award’ in 2024.

2024 Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year Luncheon

Registration for the luncheon will go on sale in mid-January 2025. Join our interest list to receive email updates, including a notification when registration opens.

March 2025

Queens University of Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274

11:30 a.m. | Registration & Networking

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch & Program

The 2024 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year luncheon will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options. A limited number of table sponsorships are available for eight (8) in-person attendees.

Presented to the Community by:
Bank of America logo

Registration Options

Individual In-Person Ticket | $125
Individual Virtual Ticket | $25
Table Sponsorship | $1,250

Table Sponsorships include a table for eight (8) in-person attendees and company recognition in the program & day-of signage.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Individual in-person attendees may switch to virtual before Friday, February 14, 2025. No refunds will be given and changes after this date will not be honored. Individual registrations are transferrable to another guest.

Table Sponsorships include eight (8) in-person attendees. Table Sponsor attendees cannot attend virtually. The deadline to submit table guests’ information is Friday, February 21, 2025.

Established in 1986, this award honors the achievements of exceptional businesswomen based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in the Charlotte region. Past recipients include Tanya Blackmon, former Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Officer of Novant Health; Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager; Peggy Brookhouse, Founder & President of Brookhouse; Carol Lovin, Executive Vice President & Systems Chief of Staff of Atrium Health; and Andrea Smith, former Chief Administrative Officer for Bank of America.

Recognized for its longstanding history and prestige, the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year kicks off the spring award season. With ample professional development and network opportunities, this event reaches 275 of the area’s business and thought leaders. The nomination process for selection of the annual BusinessWoman of the Year is available during the month of September and can be accessed on this webpage.

2023 Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer

2022  Diane (Di) Morais

2021  Tanya S. Blackmon

2020  Dena Diorio

2019  Peggy Brookhouse

2018  Carol Lovin

2017  Theresa Drew

2016  Andrea B. Smith

2015  Debra Plousha Moore

2014  Susan DeVore

2013  Lynn Good

2012  Laura A. Schulte

2011  Ann Caulkins

2010  Carol Hevey

2009  Cathy Bessant

2008  Jennifer Appleby

2007  Lauri Eberhart

2006  Dee Dixon

2005  Christie Taylor

2004  Peyton Howell

2003  Dana Rader

2002  Krista Tillman

2001  Vicki Wilson-McElreath

2000  Mary Tribble

1999  Jeannie Falknor

1998  Gail Brinn Wilkins

1997  Carol Pontis

1996  Phyllis Schultz

1995  Ruth Shaw

1994  Katie Tyler

1993  Linda McFarland Farthing

1992  Jill Flynn

1991  Muriel Helms

1990  Patricia Rodgers

1989  Betty Trautwein & Elaine Lyerly

1988  Dale Halton

1987  Bonnie Widenhouse

1986  Joan Zimmerman

Join Our Mailing List

Please join our mailing list if you’d like to receive information about the nomination process and event details.

Event Contact

Allison Meyer-Tucker

Director, Special Programs
meyer-tuckera@queens.edu