Greetings! My name is Tesarah Boyd and I am in my first year of board service with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Young Professionals. I currently work as a Project Manager on the Transitions and Acquisitions team at Atrium Health. As a Charlotte native, in many ways I feel like I’ve grown up alongside the city and have developed a deep appreciation for its evolution. Serving on the board is a unique opportunity to preserve its legacy while helping shape what comes next.
My career in healthcare was sparked by an interest in public health, which led to my first role in the system in Community Health. One advantage of working within a large healthcare system is the plethora of opportunities to learn and grow – nearly every business function sits within the organization. In my current role, I have been able to better understand how various functions such as IT, Legal, Human Resources, Marketing, and Clinical all work together to drive the mission of the organization.
I believe leadership is less about external titles and more about self-leadership. It asks how well one lives in alignment with their core values. A few of my core values are Authenticity, Integrity, Community, Stewardship, and Curiosity. Community & stewardship in action looks like cultivating relationships – both inside and outside of work – through organizations such as Atrium Health Young Professionals and the Urban League of the Central Carolinas Young Professionals, as well as through regular volunteerism. At work, nurturing my curiosity means taking on stretch assignments and participating in mentorship and/or professional development programs. Outside of work, it leads me to explore new restaurants, museums, and even travel to experience exhibitions in other cities.
The connections and community I’ve built by remaining true to myself have been invaluable. My advice to fellow YPs, or anyone adjusting to a new area, is to put yourself out there. Attend an event hosted by an organization you’re unfamiliar with or reach out to someone who works in a different department within your company. Stay grounded in your values but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone – that’s where growth happens fastest.
