Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year

Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year, now in its 39th 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.

On March 6th, 2025, we awarded Kristi Coleman, Chief Executive Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment and President, Carolina Panthers, as the 2024 Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year.

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

Our event photos are available on Flickr and Facebook. You can also watch the whole event on YouTube.

Join Our Mailing List

Please join our mailing list if you’d like to receive information about the nomination process and event details. Nominations for the Queens University 2025 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year, will open in September 2025.

Event Contact

Allison Meyer-Tucker

Director, Special Programs
meyer-tuckera@queens.edu