Shaping the region: Niner CEOs making a difference
Each year, Charlotte Business Journal celebrates outstanding leadership through its Most Admired CEO Awards, spotlighting executives who combine strong organizational direction with a genuine commitment to the Charlotte community. This year, six Niners earned a place among the honorees—leaders whose work is shaping the region both inside and outside their organizations. Every honoree serves in a CEO or equivalent executive role, reflecting the depth of their impact.
The following excerpts and photographs have been provided by Charlotte Business Journal.
Angela Charles ’95 MPA
director, Charlotte Water
College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences
What is your best advice for future leaders?
My best advice for future leaders is to seek out a wide variety of experiences and intentionally gain exposure to different roles, teams and challenges. That breadth of experience builds perspective and strengthens decision-making over time. Just as importantly, focus on developing strong communication skills and the ability to build genuine rapport with people. Leadership is ultimately about relationships — listening well, earning trust and connecting with others in a way that fosters collaboration and shared purpose.
Kristina Held ’04 M.Arch.
president and CEO, HELD Architecture
College of Art + Architecture
What is your best advice for future leaders?
My best advice for future leaders is to lead with purpose and listen with real intention. The strongest leaders build trust by truly hearing their teams and clients, then make decisions rooted in a clear why. Stay curious, stay adaptable and never lose sight of the bigger impact your work can have. Whether you’re designing a building or building a company, the greatest legacy comes from creating spaces and cultures where both people and the planet can thrive together.
Tina Postel
CEO, Nourish Up
adjunct professor, College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences
Describe your leadership style or guiding philosophy and how you put that into action within your organization.
At my core, I am called to a life of service. I find deep purpose — and genuine joy — in helping others, and that calling shapes how I lead every day. Leadership, to me, is not about position or authority; it’s about responsibility. It’s about showing up with humility, compassion and a willingness to do the hard work alongside others. My leadership is guided by values that are both deeply personal and institutionally shared. At Nourish Up, we are unapologetically neighborly, service minded and innovative. Those values are not aspirational statements on a wall — they are how we operate.
Eric Reichard ’89
president and CEO, Rodgers Builders, Inc.
William States Lee College of Engineering, UNC Charlotte Foundation Board
Describe your leadership style or guiding philosophy and how you put that into action within your organization.
My leadership style is grounded in servant leadership, where I empower people to shine and do what they do best. Rodgers’ success has always come from the incredible talent and dedication of our people and from leaders who set the tone with humility, care and vision. The people who most shaped my understanding of leadership were our founder, B.D. Rodgers, and longtime CEO, Pat Rodgers. Their integrity, work ethic and deep respect for people continue to be a model for me.
Jon Ward ’94
CEO, Ward Vessel and Exchanger Corp.
William States Lee College of Engineering and its Board of Advisors
What is your best advice for future leaders?
The truest form of kindness you can show the people around you is to be calm, consistent, transparent and clear, while adding value to their day. The most damaging thing you can do to the people around you is leave them guessing about where you stand, what you expect and where the organization is going. Be direct. Repeat yourself. Say the same things over and over until they are not just understood but internalized and truly embraced by all.
Frank Smith ’04
CEO, Private Advisor Group
Belk College of Business
Describe your leadership style or guiding philosophy and how you put that into action within your organization.
I’d describe my leadership style as participative and adaptable. I believe the best outcomes come from surrounding yourself with talented people who bring unique perspectives and complementary strengths to the table, then creating an environment where those insights help shape how strategy is put into action. While I’m ultimately accountable for the direction of the firm and the results we deliver, I place a high value on engaging the right people in the process and making sure they feel ownership in what we’re building together.