Cathy Bessant Shares Insights about Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Community

On March 18, 2026, a capacity crowd gathered at the McColl School of Business to welcome Cathy Bessant, CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas, for the Peter & Kathy Browning Distinguished Leaders in Action Lecture Series. With a front row featuring Charlotte icons like Hugh McColl and university leaders past and present, Ketner Auditorium became the backdrop for a candid discussion on resilience, purpose, and the city’s unique civic spirit.

Opening the program, Denise Rotondo, Ph.D., dean of the McColl School, framed the evening as more than a discussion of professional success, but a story about how Charlotte was built.

“This is really the story of community,” Rotondo said. “People want more than just careers. They want to enjoy their city and, in many ways, Foundation For The Carolinas makes that possible.”

She emphasized that Charlotte’s vibrancy — its schools, arts, parks, and civic institutions — exists because leaders, like Bessant, continually step beyond their organizations and commit to community impact.

A Conversation About Authentic Leadership

At Bessant’s request, the conversation remained intentionally unscripted, allowing for a candid discussion about her professional journey and leadership style. The session was facilitated by Will Sparks, Ph.D., executive director of the McColl School’s Center for Leadership & Executive Education (CLEE).

“There’s no way to get to know a person who gives canned remarks,” Bessant explained. “You’ll remember whether I’m someone you’d want to work with—or be friends with. That comes from humanity.”

Sparks underscored why Bessant’s leadership resonates so deeply. “There’s not a more genuine, authentic, dynamic leader than Cathy,” he said. “And when we’re finished tonight, you’ll understand why.”

From Michigan to Charlotte: A Journey of Purpose

Bessant traced her path from a small town in Michigan, where she worked at McDonald’s and cleaned racetrack bleachers, to becoming one of the most influential leaders in American banking.

“I made the choice to say I will not be outworked,” she recalled of her early career mindset. “I might be outsmarted or outmanned, but I will not be outworked.”

Her journey was shaped by both opportunity and adversity and provided experiences that informed her belief that setbacks are not obstacles to success, but catalysts for it.

“Successful individuals achieve what they do because of their setbacks, not in spite of them,” Bessant said.
She shared openly about being demoted at a pivotal moment in her career and how that experience forced her to listen more deeply, lead more authentically, and align her professional self with her personal values.

Leadership Beyond the Title

Transitioning from a storied corporate career to her current role at Foundation For The Carolinas, Bessant examined the shift from top-down authority to mission-driven leadership. She specifically highlighted the unique complexities of leading through influence.

“My job is not for everyone to agree,” she said. “It’s to listen to everyone, make sure everyone is heard, and then do what I know to be right.”

Sparks highlighted one of the defining traits of her leadership style. “If people know you truly care about them,” he said, “that gives you the currency to be candid and direct.”

For Bessant, empathy is not a “soft skill,” but a core leadership discipline. “Empathy is the ability to listen without judgment,” she said. “And it’s one of the most underrated leadership qualities today.”

When asked how she stays centered amid unpredictable days and competing demands, Bessant shared a simple but powerful ritual: a daily self-check focused on people and impact. “I gut check myself every day,” she said. “What did I do to motivate someone? To connect a donor? To help a nonprofit?”

Purpose, she explained, has always been central to her life. “I refuse to make sacrifices for anything that doesn’t truly matter,” Bessant said. “For me, that’s changing the world.”

Why Charlotte Matters

Looking ahead, Bessant expressed optimism about Charlotte’s future, crediting the city’s collaborative spirit and shared leadership culture. “Charlotte always punches above its weight,” she said. “We do things with each other, not to each other.”

She also spoke Queens University and its role in developing leaders grounded in competence, commitment, and character. In closing, Bessant offered advice that resonated deeply with students in the room. “Life is a lot better when you are exactly who you are,” she said. “And you let your humanity show in everything you do.”