Name: Betsy Conway
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 35
Title/Company: Director, Community Relations, Lowe’s
Hometown: Charlotte
Education: B.A., Journalism (UNC Chapel Hill) and M.S., Integrated Marketing Communication (Northwestern)
Current personal or leadership goals: Support others, get outdoors, slow down and keep learning
If you could describe your Leadership Charlotte experience in three words or phrases what would they be?
Exploration, Relationships, Commitment
What advice that you would you give to current Leadership Charlotte participants?
Soak up each and every moment with your classmates as well as the leaders and alumni who you interact with during program days. Explore how you are feeling, what may be changing in you, and be curious about where that takes you. Be present. Find time outside of the program to connect with your classmates, and keep it going for as long as you can.
Favorite way to spend a weekend in Charlotte:
Outdoors – since COVID and working from home, I try to take a daily walk. The perfect weekend for me involves a walk along the greenway, taking my son to one of our fantastic parks and then eating dinner (preferably take out from a local restaurant) outside on our porch.
What are you doing in the community these days?
I’m actively serving on the boards of the Lynnwood Foundation and the CPCC Foundation, as well as serving on the Community Investment Committee of SmartStart of Mecklenburg County, the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the Women’s Impact Fund and as an advisor to the Junior League of Charlotte. In my day job, I engage with our talented nonprofit community and participate in convenings to address challenges and seize opportunities in affordable housing and workforce development. I look forward to being out and about soon!
How has your life after Leadership Charlotte surprised you and why?
There are so many meaningful, lasting relationships I developed from Leadership Charlotte. You truly become part of a family, in that you know your “family” will always be there for you. I am surprised, but not shocked, about how this closeness continues well beyond your graduation from the program. The other surprise is that as a native Charlottean, I always think I know about Charlotte, until I learn something new – there are so many layers to explore. Leadership Charlotte provides you with you with a base of knowledge and a strong network from which you can constantly grow and learn about our dynamic and ever evolving city.