My name is Khushi Kantawala, and I recently began serving on the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Young Professionals Board while working as a relationship manager at First National Bank. These titles mean more to me than lines on a résumé. They represent a journey that still feels surreal when I sit in board meetings discussing the region’s future or meet with clients shaping Charlotte’s business landscape.
My story didn’t begin in North Carolina, or even in the United States. It began in India, in a childhood that was loud, colorful, joyful, and full of people, a community that felt like an extension of my own family. Life was stable and familiar. Then, everything changed. My parents told me we were moving to the U.S., leaving behind the life they had worked so hard to build, to start over in a place where nothing was guaranteed. Watching them trade stability for possibility shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand then.
Starting 11th grade in a new country was overwhelming. I was trying to understand American culture, trying to fit in, trying to make sense of what the “American dream” meant for us. That transition forced me to grow up quickly. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of rebuilding community from scratch.
I went on to attend Penn State and began my career at First National Bank in Pittsburgh. Banking surprised me. I expected numbers and spreadsheets, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with the relationship‑building, the problem‑solving, and the trust that forms between a banker and a business owner. And even early in my career, I knew where I wanted to be next. I’m a planner, and I had Charlotte mapped out from the beginning – at least professionally. The second‑largest banking market in the country, a place where I could grow, stretch, and learn.
When FNB offered me the chance to move down and support our business banking and middle market/corporate portfolio, I didn’t hesitate.
Charlotte welcomed me with more warmth than I expected. It wasn’t just a banking hub; it was a community. For the first time since leaving India, I felt that same sense of connection and belonging. Professionally, the city accelerated my growth. I learned from some of the best in the industry and gained exposure to sectors I never imagined I’d understand – racing, power and utilities, telecom, steel, and more.
But what truly kept me here was everything outside of work, the parts of Charlotte that make Charlotte, Charlotte.
The neighborhoods each have their own heartbeat. Charlotte is a city where you can spend a morning at a farmers market, an afternoon exploring art, and an evening on a rooftop watching the skyline glow. I moved here for my career, but the culture, the people, and the rhythm of this city are what made me stay.
Joining the CLT Alliance Young Professionals Board was a turning point. It opened my eyes to how intentionally Charlotte plans for its future. I’ve seen firsthand how much thought goes into economic development, workforce strategy, infrastructure, and creating opportunities for the next generation. What inspires me most is that the people shaping Charlotte aren’t just focused on new and existing businesses – they’re investing in us, the young professionals who will carry this region forward.
That’s why I’m proud to call Charlotte home. This city isn’t growing by accident. It’s growing because people care, because leaders listen, and because we have a real seat at the table.
If you’re a young professional deciding where to build your life and career, Charlotte is your city. It’s a place where you can grow quickly, be supported deeply, and make an impact early. And the best part is — YOU can be part of this growth. Come to the CLT Alliance’s events, meet the people shaping this region, and see for yourself how this community will uplift you.
Khushi Kantawala is a relationship manager at First National Bank. You can connect with Khushi on LinkedIn.
