Name: Vernetta Purcell-Morrow
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 46
Title/Company: Chief Operating Officer, Mecklenburg County ABC Board
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Education: Undergraduate – UNC-Chapel Hill – Double Major Psychology & Sociology; Graduate – Pfeiffer University -MBA
1. Why did you say yes to serving on the Leadership Charlotte Board, and what continues to inspire your support for the organization?
During graduate school, I was introduced to the concept of servant leadership, and it immediately resonated with me. I believe Leadership Charlotte embodies that philosophy by developing leaders who are committed to serving something greater than themselves. If I can take the lessons from my own leadership journey, the successes as well as the setbacks and use them to help an emerging leader or strengthen this program’s impact on our community, then every experience has served a greater purpose, nothing is ever wasted.
2. What’s one lesson or moment from your Leadership Charlotte experience that still sticks with you today, and why?
Without question, the Privilege Walk. My cohort started on the same line, but through a series of statements, it became clear that while many of us arrived at similar leadership positions, our paths looked very different. For some, the journey required overcoming significantly more barriers than others. It was a powerful reminder that while relationships and networks matter, achievement is also fueled by resilience, determination, and grit. Leadership Charlotte helps cultivate those qualities while creating opportunities for leaders from all backgrounds to thrive.
3. What’s your best advice for current and future Leadership Charlotte participants about making the most of the experience?
The program days are long, but the total experience is short. Lean all the way in. Be intentional with every conversation, build relationships beyond your comfort zone, ask the uncomfortable questions, and embrace being uncomfortable. Growth rarely happens when we’re comfortable, and some of the most meaningful lessons come from the conversations you didn’t expect to have.
4. In what ways do you stay engaged in the Charlotte community, and how could fellow alumni join you?
I believe meaningful leadership extends beyond the workplace, so I intentionally stay engaged through service, governance, and continuous learning. I currently serve on the advisory board of a local credit union and as a board member for The Confidence Project, the first 501(c)(3) nonprofit in North Carolina dedicated to addressing hygiene insecurity among underserved children and families. Earlier in my career, I also had the privilege of volunteering with United Family Services, supporting victim services for individuals and families during some of life’s most difficult moments. When I can’t participate in community events in person, I stay informed by following the issues, businesses, and leaders shaping Charlotte’s future. The Charlotte Business Journal is one of my favorite resources for staying connected to what’s happening across our city. For fellow Leadership Charlotte alumni, my encouragement is simple: find a cause that aligns with your values, say yes to serving, and remain curious about the community around you. Every act of service, whether through board leadership, volunteering, mentorship, or simply staying informed helps build a stronger Charlotte.
5. What does “leading for a better Charlotte” mean to you?
Charlotte is already an incredible place to live and work, but my hope is that it continues to be a destination city where people come not only to build careers, but to build meaningful lives. I want every resident to feel pride in calling Charlotte home and, more importantly, to feel they can here thrive not merely exist. We know that isn’t everyone’s reality today, which means we still have important work to do. Leading for a better Charlotte means working together to create a community where opportunity, belonging, and success are accessible to everyone. If my leadership leaves Charlotte stronger than I found it, then I’ll consider my service meaningful.
Name: Rachel Roe
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 46
Title/Company: VP, Talent Management & Learning Business Communications, Wells Fargo and Company
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Education: Bachelor of Science, Mass Communication, Brenau University-The Women’s College; Master of Arts, Communication, Queens University of Charlotte
1. Why did you say yes to serving on the Leadership Charlotte Board, and what continues to inspire your support for the organization?
Saying “Yes” to serving on the Leadership Charlotte Board of Directors was easy. I love this organization, I believe it is a powerful force for good in the city of Charlotte, and I want to do everything I can to help elevate the organization’s brand within the city of Charlotte and beyond.
2. What’s your favorite Leadership Charlotte memory?
As the granddaughter of a Police Chief, I thought I knew what police officers faced, but I was deeply humbled after my police ride along with a CMPD officer in the Providence Division. The moment I walked into my house after my ride-along experience, I broke into tears because I was so overwhelmed by what I had just seen within my own neighborhood. Leading with empathy is key when trying to serve people and solve complicated problems. The officers I was exposed to during that eight-hour ride-along experience did just that. Love you, CMPD. Also, during my year one class experience, I got to have lunch with Hugh McColl. EPIC! Love you, Mr. McColl.
3. What advice would you give to future Leadership Charlotte participants?
You have to go all-in. What do I mean by that? You will never have this experience again and you need to do everything in your power to make the most of it. The people, places, and experiences presented to you are once in a lifetime in nature, and if you do the bare minimum as a participant, you will get a bare minimum experience.
4. What would you like to see Leadership Charlotte alumni get involved in and why?
I love the arts. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Leadership Charlotte, I also serve on WDAV 89.9 FM’s Community Advisory Board. Classical music is a balm for the anxious, and in today’s world, we can use more of the kind of calm that Classical music gives us. You can catch me at a WDAV sponsored event, but you can also catch me at a Blumenthal Arts show (musical, comedy show, dramatic play…I love them all), or seeing at film at IPH (Independent Picture House) in the NODA neighborhood. Cillian Murphy is favorite actor, so if he is in it, I am seeing it!
5. What does “leading for a better Charlotte” mean to you?
“Leading for a Better Charlotte” means listening more than you speak. It means figuring out your own personal “Why?”, leaning into it, and being the difference you want to see. We cannot solve all of the world’s problems, but we can each wake up every day, contribute to our local community, and (hopefully) leave our little corner of the world just a bit better than we found it. We owe that to everyone who came before us and to everyone who will come after us.