Name: David Head
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: Class 29
Title/Company: Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, Managing Director
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Education: Wake Forest University
Current personal or leadership goals: At this point in my career and after decades in the Charlotte community, I am focused on three things – Inspire, Build Trust, Leave a Mark. Three quotes strike me as relevant to my principles are: Do well by doing good. ~Ben Franklin If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly. ~Ghandi Leave the campsite better than you found it. (founder of scouting, and a quote my dad referenced in every one of his speeches)
What advice would you give to current Leadership Charlotte participants? Being a LC alum is an honor an comes with an expectation that you do something with it. For me and for so many leaders getting into LC was a huge accomplishment, but it is what you do with it that then matters. Engage in causes you care about. Show up. In many situations people ask, “What can I do” and the first thing you have to do is be present. Be positive. Difficult challenges are achievable when you show up connected to your purpose and with an inherently positive outlook.
What’s a lesson that you learned through LC that has stuck with you and why? LC gave me perspective. It connected me to a broad group of leaders across Charlotte and at the same time enabled context through the program days. So many government, civic and corporate leaders made themselves available to our class during our program year and in so many forums since then. These are leaders that I trust, that I look to for advice, and that have contributed in hundreds of leadership roles across our region. Each decade, new leaders have to take on the issues and engage in the opportunities that our region faces.
What would you like to see Leadership Charlotte alumni get involved in and why? Success for me for a LC grad is to be a leader in the community and impact the culture of our companies. This can take many forms, but it does involve pushing yourself and taking on responsibility as a leader. Not-for-profit boards, community task forces, company Employee Resource Groups, coaching a soccer team — all are options, but do something. Show up and then see how you can add value by taking on responsibility.
Favorite way to spend a weekend in Charlotte: For me weekends are my chance to decompress and regroup. An ideal weekend is to have our four daughters home, a family cook out, a drink with neighbors, a yardwork project, and a Hornets, Charlotte FC or Panthers game.
Favorite nonprofit or community organization in Charlotte and why: Since Class 29 I have had the privilege of serving several incredible organizations – Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Communities in Schools, the YMCA, AHA, and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. “Everybody can be great…, because anybody can serve.” MLK. For me it has involved a focus on public education, the performing arts, healthy families, and the business community. I am excited to serve as the incoming board chair for Blumenthal Arts. Our mission to bring worldclass performing arts to our community for all — through incredible facilities, touring Broadway shows, education programs, and performances of every kind. We are launching Blume Studios for immersive experiences in the Iron District this fall. This is personal as our daughters have all performed and enjoy attending performances. You’ll find us at a musical, concert or sporting event most weeks.