Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year

Queens University of Charlotte is proud to host the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year event, continuing a rich tradition spanning over 35 years of honoring and developing female talent in our community. Established in 1986, this award honors the achievements of exceptional businesswomen based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in the Charlotte region.

We are pleased to present the 2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award to Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, President of Central Piedmont Community College.

2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year

Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer and her family moved to Charlotte in 2017, when she began leading Central Piedmont Community College as its fourth president. She has an extensive and diverse background in community college administration. Her career has spanned more than 30 years, serving in community college systems in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida.

Dr. Deitemeyer’s leadership style is best described as engaging, collaborative, and energetic. She has an unmatched passion for the student experience and has focused Central Piedmont on ensuring student success is at the heart of all that it undertakes. As a community college graduate, she knows the impact of Central Piedmont on an individual’s life and the community can be transformational.

She brings her energy and engagement to many local, statewide, and national efforts. Locally, she serves on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, Leading on Opportunity Council, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Executive Committee, Charlotte Center City Partners Board of Directors, Novant Health Greater Charlotte Board of Trustees (Vice Chair), Charlotte Country Day School Board, and the Charlotte Regional Collaborative for a Global Workforce.

She is an active member of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. As a commitment to future community college leadership, she serves as an advisory board member for the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University. Nationally, she has served as an executive board member of the American Association of Community Colleges and is a member of the Roc Solid Foundation Board.

2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year Luncheon

The 2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year luncheon will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options. A limited number of table sponsorships are available for eight (8) in-person attendees.

Registration Options

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Individual in-person attendees may switch to virtual before Friday, February 16, 2024. No refunds will be given and changes after this date will not be honored. Individual registrations are transferrable to another guest.

Table Sponsorships include eight (8) in-person attendees. Table Sponsor attendees cannot attend virtually. The deadline to submit table guests’ information is Friday, February 23, 2024.

History

Established in 1986, this award honors the achievements of exceptional businesswomen based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in the Charlotte region. Past recipients include Tanya Blackmon, former Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Officer of Novant Health; Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager; Peggy Brookhouse, Founder & President of Brookhouse; Carol Lovin, Executive Vice President & Systems Chief of Staff of Atrium Health; and Andrea Smith, former Chief Administrative Officer for Bank of America.

Recognized for its longstanding history and prestige, the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year kicks off the spring award season. With ample professional development and network opportunities, this event reaches 275 of the area’s business and thought leaders. The nomination process for selection of the annual BusinessWoman of the Year is available during the month of September and can be accessed on this webpage.

Previous Award Recipients

2022  Diane (Di) Morais

2021  Tanya S. Blackmon

2020  Dena Diorio

2019  Peggy Brookhouse

2018  Carol Lovin

2017  Theresa Drew

2016  Andrea B. Smith

2015  Debra Plousha Moore

2014  Susan DeVore

2013  Lynn Good

2012  Laura A. Schulte

2011  Ann Caulkins

2010  Carol Hevey

2009  Cathy Bessant

2008  Jennifer Appleby

2007  Lauri Eberhart

2006  Dee Dixon

2005  Christie Taylor

2004  Peyton Howell

2003  Dana Rader

2002  Krista Tillman

2001  Vicki Wilson-McElreath

2000  Mary Tribble

1999  Jeannie Falknor

1998  Gail Brinn Wilkins

1997  Carol Pontis

1996  Phyllis Schultz

1995  Ruth Shaw

1994  Katie Tyler

1993  Linda McFarland Farthing

1992  Jill Flynn

1991  Muriel Helms

1990  Patricia Rodgers

1989  Betty Trautwein & Elaine Lyerly

1988  Dale Halton

1987  Bonnie Widenhouse

1986  Joan Zimmerman

Join Our Mailing List

Please join our mailing list if you’d like to receive information about the nomination process and event details.

Event Contact

Allison Meyer-Tucker, CPCE

Director, Special Programs
meyer-tuckera@queens.edu