Name: Patricke Ward
Leadership Charlotte Class: 34
Title: Senior Underwriter, Selective Insurance Company of America
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Education: B.S. in B.A, Central Michigan University, M.B.A, Gardner-Webb University
What do you remember most vividly from your Leadership Charlotte experience and why?
I vividly remember closing circle at the end of program days and activities. But not just the exercise itself but the evolution of it as you progress through the program. Initially it seems like a mandatory, unnerving thing to do with random people but by the end it becomes a necessary opportunity to share and unpack in an environment of family and trust. The impact of the statements made during that time and the self-discovery that occurs stays with you forever.
What would you like to see Leadership Charlotte alumni get involved in and why?
I can sum it up in three things. 1. Continue the conversations that began during your class that are necessary to move our communities forward wherever you happen to live, work, and play. 2. Stay connected with the organization and make contributions to the Leadership Charlotte Annual Fund regardless of where life or your profession moves you. 3. Be intentional about having a good freakin’ time! Party with your peeps and get turnt up for Leadership Charlotte! I think these three things will continue to push us forward and positively brand our identity in the Charlotte area as the premier leadership organization around.
What do you hope to be doing (differently) in five years?
Well I “hope” to have hit the lottery and be independently wealthy. LOL! But if that doesn’t pan out, my plan is to be living life on my own terms and working on opening a center in Charlotte through my fraternity’s non-profit arm that will provide job training and youth outreach for underrepresented groups in the city.
What’re you doing in the community these days?
I am involved as a board member and trained guide for the Red Boot Coalition, which is an organization that provides a space for people to come together for compassionate listening, learning, and leadership.
Also, I am engaged at a high level with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as a local board member. As an organization we promote service activities that positively affect our communities through service, including our signature youth mentoring program for boys ages 8 -18 in Charlotte.
How has your life after Leadership Charlotte surprised you and why?
It has been a welcomed discovery of mine to see the continual impact that Leadership Charlotte has on the metropolitan area. I charge any member of the organization to find a relevant news story, community gathering, business meeting, or important topic of discussion in our city or county and not see an LC alumni involved. When I attend most events I can almost guarantee that another Leadership Charlotte member is somewhere in the midst. We have become weaved in the fabric of the shaping of the present and future of our community.