This week, the 13th cohort of Emerging Business Leaders graduated from the signature Charlotte Regional Business Alliance program.
On Thursday, the 61 members marked the end of their cohort by presenting their final projects. Then, they celebrated their achievements with a graduation ceremony and reception.
Angela McFadden, a member of Cohort 13 and a senior director of revenue growth management strategy with Coca-Cola Consolidated, shared her reflections on the past seven months. She was filled with emotion as she spoke, but, encouraged by her cohort and with her daughter in the audience, she forged ahead.
McFadden began by saying she was filled with “gratitude, reflection, and appreciation.”
“Finishing this has been so much more than a professional milestone… It’s actually been a labor of love,” she said.
McFadden said the EBL program challenged her frameworks and forced her to have uncomfortable conversations with other members of the cohort. It prompted her to analyze how she presented herself as a leader.
“As we return to our roles… I hope we lead with empathy, curiosity, and build inclusive spaces,” she said, later adding, “Being a leader comes from how you show up every single day.”
McFadden’s remarks were followed by words of advice from David Longo, CLT Alliance board chair and the CEO of CBI | Workplace Solutions. Longo urged the room to use the insights they’ve gained to lead with purpose in their workplaces and across the community.
“People matter. Relationships matter. And leadership matters,” he said.
Longo encourages the cohort to “be brave” and “take risks.”
“Avoid the fear of failure,” he said, later adding, “You’ve been selected for your role because other people believed in you and trusted you. Remember that.”
EBL is designed to elevate the leadership potential of high-performing, diverse professionals. Cohort 13 stepped outside their comfort zones, sharpened their leadership skills, and built meaningful connections with their peers from a wide range of industries across the Charlotte Region.
Cohort members confronted many tough topics that included polarity management, ethical leadership, and how to have difficult conversations.
“This graduation is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of the talent, drive, and leadership we have in the Charlotte Region,” said Laura Foor, CLT Alliance vice president of external affairs. “Cohort 13 members have not only grown individually, but they’ve also built connections that will strengthen our community for years to come.”
EBL graduates embody the Charlotte Region’s spirit of innovation and ambition, strengthening our workforce and driving the region’s competitive edge.
Congratulations, Cohort 13!
Learn more about EBL and other CLT Alliance programs here.
