LEADING LADY
With a $1M gift, Susan DeVore ’81 is turbocharging the next generation of women leaders.
By Jenny Matz
Photos by Amy Hart
Women’s History Month is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who have shattered barriers and paved the way for progress. Among these pioneers is Susan DeVore ’81. Her recent $1 million gift to UNC Charlotte marks a pivotal moment in her ongoing commitment to cultivating leadership among women, signaling a new era of progress and opportunity.
Leadership Rocket Fuel
Susan DeVore, former president and CEO of Charlotte-based Premier Inc., guided the health care organization for 12 years. During her tenure, it grew into an alliance of more than 4,100 U.S. hospitals and health systems and about 200,000 other providers. DeVore also navigated the company through an initial public offering in 2013; this complex process took several years to plan and execute.
DeVore’s impact reverberated across the nation. An industry-leading thinker, she was named multiple times to Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People, Top 25 Women in Healthcare lists and was listed on the 2017 Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Great Healthcare Leaders to Know. Her accolades also include the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2018 Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2016 UNC Charlotte Distinguished Alumnus recipient, DeVore made headlines again this past fall with a generous $1 million gift, aimed at bolstering the next generation of female leaders.
Chancellor Sharon Gaber, Susan DeVore and Provost Jennifer Troyer at the announcement of the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Program.
DeVore, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1981 from the Belk College of Business, is setting a profound example of giving back. In establishing the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program, set to launch in fall 2024, she seeks to bridge the gender gap in leadership positions. This program will provide tailored training, resources and networking opportunities, reflecting DeVore’s commitment to empowering women.
Based within the Belk College of Business’ Center for Leadership Science, the program will enhance existing leadership initiatives and will introduce specialized training to equip women to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Participants will have access, through the Belk College’s Department of Management, to training led by Professors Janaki Gooty and George C. Banks, international experts in leadership and inclusive excellence and co-leaders of the Center for Leadership Science.
Its holistic approach is what sets the Susan Dodson DeVore Leadership Development Program apart. Beyond a focus on theoretical learning, the program will emphasize practical skills, executive presence and career growth strategies.
Participants will engage with Charlotte alumni and community executives to foster invaluable connections and mentorship opportunities. In addition, it will encompass existing campus initiatives, including the Belk College’s Women in Business Initiative and the Women’s Leadership Development Program.
”We are grateful to Susan DeVore for this incredible gift. She has been a trailblazer, an accomplished leader and someone who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her career. The Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program will help UNC Charlotte address the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and create a new legacy of women empowered to take on the world.”
– Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber
Academic Roots to Corporate Pursuits
DeVore’s path to success began as an 18-year-old college student, armed with determination and a scholarship named for revered UNC Charlotte founder Bonnie E. Cone. With her parents’ encouragement and the opportunity provided by the scholarship, DeVore embarked on her educational journey. The Sanford Hall resident immersed herself in the world of academia. DeVore recalls the camaraderie, the friendships forged and the invaluable lessons learned both inside and outside the classroom.
DeVore’s journey from Bonnie Cone scholar to a prominent industry leader serves as inspiration for current and future Belk College students. Her passion for health care and business led DeVore to corporate heights. Throughout her tenure, she remained committed to driving change and enhancing the quality and accessibility of health care services, which earned her numerous accolades and recognition from industry peers and organizations.
Susan DeVore, center, with Chancellor Gaber and students Sonia Pacheco Mejia, Soumitri Kanduri, Adira Adbullah, Anna Lee and Yahaira Trejo.
Her advice to “learn to learn” resonates deeply in today’s rapidly evolving job market. The Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program will endeavor to instill this ethos, encouraging students to challenge themselves, speak up and pursue excellence in all endeavors.
DeVore with her extended family at the 2024 Alumni Awards where she received the Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award.
DeVore’s personal values and dedication to her family also serve as a testament to her character. As a working mother of three, DeVore balanced her career and family life with grace and resilience. She supported her children and modeled the values of hard work, independence and making a difference.
“This is about being able to thank all the people who made a difference in my life and allowed me to be successful – I now want to do that same thing for others through the Women’s Leadership Development Program.”
Charlotte Strong
DeVore’s unwavering commitment to UNC Charlotte is evident in her diverse involvement, from Board of Trustees service to student mentorship, highlighting her dedication to giving back. Serving on the Board from 2015 to 2023, including a term as chair from 2021 to 2023, her impact is profound and enduring, and she’s creating a lasting legacy of inspiration.
Chancellor Sharon Gaber and Alumni Association President Todd Aldridge present DeVore with the Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award.
On March 1, 2024, DeVore was honored with the prestigious Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by the Alumni Association; it celebrates alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to UNC Charlotte and the community. An appropriate honor to an individual whose life symbolizes transformative influence.
As the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program prepares to launch, it heralds a brighter, more inclusive future for women leaders. During Women’s History Month, we honor Susan DeVore’s dedication and continue to champion the advancement of women in leadership, forging a path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
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LEADING LADY
By Jenny Matz
Photos by Amy Hart
Women’s History Month is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who have shattered barriers and paved the way for progress. Among these pioneers is Susan DeVore ’81. Her recent $1 million gift to UNC Charlotte marks a pivotal moment in her ongoing commitment to cultivating leadership among women, signaling a new era of progress and opportunity.
Leadership Rocket Fuel
Susan DeVore, former president and CEO of Charlotte-based Premier Inc., guided the health care organization for 12 years. During her tenure, it grew into an alliance of more than 4,100 U.S. hospitals and health systems and about 200,000 other providers. DeVore also navigated the company through an initial public offering in 2013; this complex process took several years to plan and execute.
DeVore’s impact reverberated across the nation. An industry-leading thinker, she was named multiple times to Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People, Top 25 Women in Healthcare lists and was listed on the 2017 Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Great Healthcare Leaders to Know. Her accolades also include the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2018 Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2016 UNC Charlotte Distinguished Alumnus recipient, DeVore made headlines again this past fall with a generous $1 million gift, aimed at bolstering the next generation of female leaders.
Chancellor Sharon Gaber, Susan DeVore and Provost Jennifer Troyer at the announcement of the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Program.
DeVore, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1981 from the Belk College of Business, is setting a profound example of giving back. In establishing the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program, set to launch in fall 2024, she seeks to bridge the gender gap in leadership positions. This program will provide tailored training, resources and networking opportunities, reflecting DeVore’s commitment to empowering women.
Based within the Belk College of Business’ Center for Leadership Science, the program will enhance existing leadership initiatives and will introduce specialized training to equip women to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Participants will have access, through the Belk College’s Department of Management, to training led by Professors Janaki Gooty and George C. Banks, international experts in leadership and inclusive excellence and co-leaders of the Center for Leadership Science.
Its holistic approach is what sets the Susan Dodson DeVore Leadership Development Program apart. Beyond a focus on theoretical learning, the program will emphasize practical skills, executive presence and career growth strategies.
Participants will engage with Charlotte alumni and community executives to foster invaluable connections and mentorship opportunities. In addition, it will encompass existing campus initiatives, including the Belk College’s Women in Business Initiative and the Women’s Leadership Development Program.
”We are grateful to Susan DeVore for this incredible gift. She has been a trailblazer, an accomplished leader and someone who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her career. The Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program will help UNC Charlotte address the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and create a new legacy of women empowered to take on the world.”
– Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber
Academic Roots to Corporate Pursuits
DeVore’s path to success began as an 18-year-old college student, armed with determination and a scholarship named for revered UNC Charlotte founder Bonnie E. Cone. With her parents’ encouragement and the opportunity provided by the scholarship, DeVore embarked on her educational journey. The Sanford Hall resident immersed herself in the world of academia. DeVore recalls the camaraderie, the friendships forged and the invaluable lessons learned both inside and outside the classroom.
DeVore’s journey from Bonnie Cone scholar to a prominent industry leader serves as inspiration for current and future Belk College students. Her passion for health care and business led DeVore to corporate heights. Throughout her tenure, she remained committed to driving change and enhancing the quality and accessibility of health care services, which earned her numerous accolades and recognition from industry peers and organizations.
Susan DeVore, center, with Chancellor Gaber and students Sonia Pacheco Mejia, Soumitri Kanduri, Adira Adbullah, Anna Lee and Yahaira Trejo.
Her advice to “learn to learn” resonates deeply in today’s rapidly evolving job market. The Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program will endeavor to instill this ethos, encouraging students to challenge themselves, speak up and pursue excellence in all endeavors.
DeVore with her extended family at the 2024 Alumni Awards where she received the Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award.
DeVore’s personal values and dedication to her family also serve as a testament to her character. As a working mother of three, DeVore balanced her career and family life with grace and resilience. She supported her children and modeled the values of hard work, independence and making a difference.
“This is about being able to thank all the people who made a difference in my life and allowed me to be successful – I now want to do that same thing for others through the Women’s Leadership Development Program.”
Charlotte Strong
DeVore’s unwavering commitment to UNC Charlotte is evident in her diverse involvement, from Board of Trustees service to student mentorship, highlighting her dedication to giving back. Serving on the Board from 2015 to 2023, including a term as chair from 2021 to 2023, her impact is profound and enduring, and she’s creating a lasting legacy of inspiration.
Chancellor Sharon Gaber and Alumni Association President Todd Aldridge present DeVore with the Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award.
On March 1, 2024, DeVore was honored with the prestigious Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by the Alumni Association; it celebrates alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to UNC Charlotte and the community. An appropriate honor to an individual whose life symbolizes transformative influence.
As the Susan Dodson DeVore Women’s Leadership Development Program prepares to launch, it heralds a brighter, more inclusive future for women leaders. During Women’s History Month, we honor Susan DeVore’s dedication and continue to champion the advancement of women in leadership, forging a path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.