Dr. Michael Marsicano has been named the 2022 Citizen of the Carolinas by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance®. The announcement was made during the CLT Alliance’s annual Leadership Retreat before an audience of Executive Committee, Board of Trustee members, elected officials, and community leaders. The award is the highest honor given by the CLT Alliance and will be presented at the organization’s Annual Outlook Meeting Dec. 13.
As a transformative leader and influential voice in philanthropy, Dr. Marsicano has prioritized community throughout his 40-year career of public service. First, as executive director of the Durham Arts Council, followed by 10 years as president and CEO of the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, and finally as president and CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas since 1999.
A mastermind of civic leadership and public-private partnerships, Dr. Marsicano has become the Charlotte Region’s thought leader for fundraising campaigns and major civic initiatives.
Since 2019 alone, Dr. Marsicano has raised almost half a billion dollars for charitable endeavors, culminating in his work to help launch the campaign to fund the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative. The transformative public-private partnership looking to increase equity and inclusion in Charlotte launched in November 2021 with a fundraising goal of $250 million. To date, Dr. Marsicano and a team of passionate advocates have raised $228 million toward goal.
Dr. Marsicano was surprised and humbled when he received the news of his selection.
“When a community gives you as much as the Carolinas have given to me, how can you not do everything within your power and influence to give back?” Dr. Marsicano asked. “I find no matter how much I give, the gifts in return are always the greater gifts. And I will never be able to repay the debt, but I am never going to stop trying.”
Don’t miss: Video from the surprise reveal, as well as Dr. Marsicano’s reaction.
“Michael has demonstrated leadership with economic opportunity and upward mobility, as well as increased high school graduation rates. He has led and developed one of our community’s largest foundations to the be the sixth largest in the nation. He is passionate, devoted, and unwavering in his commitment to make our community better,” Malcomb Coley, EY, Central Region private leader and Charlotte managing partner; chair, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, said.
Dr. Marsicano’s dedication to the community and commitment to the Carolinas has been honored with several high-profile accolades, including the Mayor’s Citizen Award (2022), the Duke University Distinguished Alumni Award (2022), Charlotte Business Journal’s “Most Admired CEO Lifetime Achievement Award” (2021), Charlotte Business Journal’s “Business Person of the Year Award” (2019) and Charlotte Magazine’s ranking as the #1 Most Powerful Person in Charlotte (2017). On the national level, he was the recipient of the Selina Roberts Ottum Award, given annually to the top arts administrator, and has been ranked among the top 50 most influential nonprofit leaders by the Nonprofit Times.
A native of New York, Dr. Marsicano received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University. He is married to the Rev. Leslie Montfort Marsicano, also a graduate of Duke University and the Duke Divinity School.
