The Queens McColl School of Business, along with the Entrepreneurial Leadership Circle, proudly established the Carolinas Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2010 to honor the individuals whose legacies still shape today’s business and economy throughout the Carolinas and beyond. The McColl School is dedicated to developing leaders of high competency and character who are committed to shaping their communities. The Hall of Fame allows the school and the university to thank the entrepreneurs who have made lasting contributions and laid the groundwork for the major business sectors in our region. The event is sponsored by Wells Fargo.
The membership criteria, which was established by the selection committee, includes:
The selection committee for the Carolinas Entrepreneur Hall of Fame consists of entrepreneurs, business leaders and historians that represent both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Keith Luedeman, goodmortgage.com
Bob Salvin, Salvin Dental Specialties, Inc.
In 2020, Queens University of Charlotte announced the addition of the inaugural Innovator of Distinction award, featuring an emerging entrepreneur or business to be honored at the Carolinas Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
The award recognizes the entrepreneurial efforts and achievements of a businessperson who has developed a successful regional or national business. This entrepreneur must have launched and ran a business with at least three to five years of sustained growth and multiple rounds of venture funding or sustained revenue growth. Additionally, the selected entrepreneur must be making a significant impact on the Charlotte region and have a clear statement of company principles.
Class of 2024
John Stewart, Fastbreak.ai
Class of 2023
Betsy Hauser, Tech Talent & Strategy
Class of 2022
Michelle Tunno Buelow, Bella Tunno
Class of 2020
Derek Wang, Stratifyd, Inc.
To learn more about the Carolinas Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, please contact Allison Meyer-Tucker (meyer-tuckera@queens.edu).