Jane Wu ‘07 MAFI and Amy Sullivan ‘91 are two local executives who propel Charlotte forward through their companies.
The Charlotte Business Journal honored the Belk College alumnae at the 2022 Most Admired CEO Awards this month. The journal recognized Wu, Sullivan and 36 other chief executives who strive for impact beyond the walls of their company.
The Charlotte Business Journal published a special report, featuring Q&As with the top CEOs.
Jane Wu ‘07 MAFI
Wu is president of Panorama Holdings. She is a graduate of the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance program.
What she said:
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“CEOs set the expectation for their employees in how they engage in communities, creating a company culture that shapes how organizations integrate in communities where they do business (and often beyond). I believe that by being actively engaged in community priorities, I lead by example for our company. Personally and professionally, it’s important to me to lead with action.”
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“It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur. If you want to wear the crown, you need to bear its weight. But once you decide to be one, then be a good one. It’s a lifelong learning process.”
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“By far, growing the Panorama leadership team, especially female leadership, was my top accomplishment this year. Panorama team has done an amazing job on growing fast on asset size. We know that the secret to keep the pace to grow is to build the strong leadership group with ethics, value, vision and execution capabilities. It’s so wonderful to see new leaders bringing new energy and leading several Panorama initiatives with consistent value and vision.”
Amy Sullivan ‘91
Sullivan is the president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC Carolinas). She has bachelor’s degrees in marketing and business administration.
What she said:
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“I am a firm believer in the quote: ‘Don’t talk about it, be about it.’ My focus is on moving my team forward and learning from the past but not dwelling on it. I believe forward momentum is what grows an organization and I have found if you hire the right people and create a vision for their future and the organization’s future, they will perform at their highest ability.”
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“CEOs should be visible and supportive of causes and organizations they believe in and find in line with their personal and professional philosophies. Stepping beyond the walls of your company and building relationships and rapport in the communities in which you live and work not only establishes your organization as a contributing member of the community, but it builds your network and reach to further impact others in positive ways.”
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“Be authentic and be true to yourself. People can sniff out fake people. Do not ever think that saying “no” is a bad thing. Sometimes you need to say no in order to say yes when the time presents itself. Be a giver and not a taker. Just because you may never do business with a person shouldn’t mean you cannot add them to your network. You never know whom you may connect together.”
Malcomb Coley, who serves on the Belk College Board of Advisors and received the Belk College’s 2020 Honorary Alumnus Award, and David Ravin ‘94, who serves the Advisory Board of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate, were among other Charlotte executives honored at the ceremony.
Coley is managing partner of Ernst & Young US. Ravin, who studied architecture at UNC Charlotte, is CEO of Northwood Ravin.