Women in Business Honorees
Excerpts from Charlotte Business Journal
On March 9, 2023, The Charlotte Business Journal honored 26 outstanding individuals at the 27th Annual Women in Business Awards. The signature program recognizes women in the local business community for their career accomplishments and community involvement. Among the honorees were UNC Charlotte alumni Donna Council ’85, Virginia Luther ’18, Tracy Montross ’10, and Melanie Reddrick ’01 and Charlotte MBA program director Janaki Gooty.
Honorees are nominated, often by their colleagues, for the program and chosen following an editorial review. The awards were co-presented by Belk College of Business Dean Jennifer Troyer.
Donna Council ’85
Current job: Senior vice president of administrative services, Duke Energy Corp.
Responsibilities: Oversee the administrative services organization, including corporate real estate, aviation, facilities, land services and corporate archives
Civic or charity engagements: Board of directors for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business
Donna Council
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
You know, growing up, we didn’t discuss college or future plans around our dinner table. I knew I wanted to go to college and continue my education, but I wasn’t sure about what I wanted after that. I found myself envious of people who were certain of what they wanted to do. However, I ascribe to a simple but effective framework inspired by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a well-known conservation strategist. Ask yourself three questions: What is most needed? What are you good at doing? What brings you joy? If you can find something that crosses all three, you’ll find your passion.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Not networking enough. Once you get your technical skills honed, relationship management matters a lot. It’s reaching out to people when there’s no reason to, going to lunch with somebody, doing a favor. Those things are so helpful as you grow in your career.
Hobbies
I love to swim and travel, and I’m a yoga fanatic. I started after I was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago — it’s the cheapest way to be on a psychologist’s couch and also get your core flexible and strong.
Women in Business Honorees
By Charlotte Business Journal
On March 9, 2023, The Charlotte Business Journal honored 26 outstanding individuals at the 27th Annual Women in Business Awards. The signature program recognizes women in the local business community for their career accomplishments and community involvement. Among the honorees were UNC Charlotte alumni Donna Council ’85, Virginia Luther ’18, Tracy Montross ’10, and Melanie Reddrick ’01 and Charlotte MBA program director Janaki Gooty.
Honorees are nominated, often by their colleagues, for the program and chosen following an editorial review. The awards were co-presented by Belk College of Business Dean Jennifer Troyer.
Donna Council ’85
Donna Council
Current job: Senior vice president of administrative services, Duke Energy Corp.
Responsibilities: Oversee the administrative services organization, including corporate real estate, aviation, facilities, land services and corporate archives
Civic or charity engagements: Board of directors for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
You know, growing up, we didn’t discuss college or future plans around our dinner table. I knew I wanted to go to college and continue my education, but I wasn’t sure about what I wanted after that. I found myself envious of people who were certain of what they wanted to do. However, I ascribe to a simple but effective framework inspired by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a well-known conservation strategist. Ask yourself three questions: What is most needed? What are you good at doing? What brings you joy? If you can find something that crosses all three, you’ll find your passion.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Not networking enough. Once you get your technical skills honed, relationship management matters a lot. It’s reaching out to people when there’s no reason to, going to lunch with somebody, doing a favor. Those things are so helpful as you grow in your career.
Hobbies
I love to swim and travel, and I’m a yoga fanatic. I started after I was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago — it’s the cheapest way to be on a psychologist’s couch and also get your core flexible and strong.
Janaki Gooty
Janaki Gooty
Current job: Director of the Charlotte MBA program and professor of Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte; and director, dual MBA program with EGADE Business School in Monterrey, Mexico
Responsibilities: Research in leadership science, teaching, overseeing the MBA program
Civic or charity engagements: Emerging Business Leaders, Belk College Women in Business Initiative, senior associate editor for Leadership Quarterly, a social-science journal dedicated to advancing our understanding of leadership as a phenomenon, how to study it and its practical implications; president and past president (2020-22) of the Southern Management Association, a domestic affiliate of the Academy of Management that supports a community of high-impact researchers and teachers
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Within UNC Charlotte, the new online modality of the Charlotte MBA program in the Queen City was a crowning achievement for our team and our community this year. Now, graduates of the new online Charlotte MBA — just as those from the traditional MBA program — will gain a decisive competitive edge in the marketplace at their own pace and at an affordable cost. Externally, I had the good fortune of leading a new scientific journal launch — Journal of Management Scientific Reports. This is a rare professional milestone with the potential to have huge impacts on management science, which, in turn, impacts the quality of work life of so many.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
I see two extremes — paralyzing self-doubt or rigid, exaggerated confidence. Both are problematic. In reality, we all know some things and have much left to learn. I find that the rarest skill is to be comfortable with uncertainty, paradoxes and different points of view.
Hobbies
Hanging out with my nieces, acquiring new non-work-related skills (e.g., certified yoga teacher, level 2 wine expert and bread baker), walking/hiking with my mastiff, reading, travel, anything art and culture.
Janaki Gooty
Janaki Gooty
Current job: Director of the Charlotte MBA program and professor of Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte; and director, dual MBA program with EGADE Business School in Monterrey, Mexico
Responsibilities: Research in leadership science, teaching, overseeing the MBA program
Civic or charity engagements: Emerging Business Leaders, Belk College Women in Business Initiative, senior associate editor for Leadership Quarterly, a social-science journal dedicated to advancing our understanding of leadership as a phenomenon, how to study it and its practical implications; president and past president (2020-22) of the Southern Management Association, a domestic affiliate of the Academy of Management that supports a community of high-impact researchers and teachers
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Within UNC Charlotte, the new online modality of the Charlotte MBA program in the Queen City was a crowning achievement for our team and our community this year. Now, graduates of the new online Charlotte MBA — just as those from the traditional MBA program — will gain a decisive competitive edge in the marketplace at their own pace and at an affordable cost. Externally, I had the good fortune of leading a new scientific journal launch — Journal of Management Scientific Reports. This is a rare professional milestone with the potential to have huge impacts on management science, which, in turn, impacts the quality of work life of so many.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
I see two extremes — paralyzing self-doubt or rigid, exaggerated confidence. Both are problematic. In reality, we all know some things and have much left to learn. I find that the rarest skill is to be comfortable with uncertainty, paradoxes and different points of view.
Hobbies
Hanging out with my nieces, acquiring new non-work-related skills (e.g., certified yoga teacher, level 2 wine expert and bread baker), walking/hiking with my mastiff, reading, travel, anything art and culture.
Melanie Reddick ’01 MPA
Current job: Studio principal, community, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Responsibilities: Serves as the primary liaison with clients to bring projects to completion on schedule, within budget and with maximum client satisfaction
Civic or charity engagements: Special needs ministry volunteer at Victory Christian Center; board member of ROC Charlotte (Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction)
Melanie Reddick
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Working in collaboration with Central Piedmont Community College, AIA Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture to create pathways to architectural studies for underrepresented groups
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Thinking that they have to succeed alone. Success is better when it is shared.
Hobbies
Playing video games with my children and exploring Charlotte with my husband, children and our dog.
Melanie Reddick ’01 MPA
Melanie Reddick
Current job: Studio principal, community, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Responsibilities: Serves as the primary liaison with clients to bring projects to completion on schedule, within budget and with maximum client satisfaction
Civic or charity engagements: Special needs ministry volunteer at Victory Christian Center; board member of ROC Charlotte (Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction)
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Working in collaboration with Central Piedmont Community College, AIA Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture to create pathways to architectural studies for underrepresented groups
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Thinking that they have to succeed alone. Success is better when it is shared.
Hobbies
Playing video games with my children and exploring Charlotte with my husband, children and our dog.
Tracy Montross
Tracy Montross ’10 MPA
Current job: Regional director of government affairs, American Airlines Group Inc.
Responsibilities: Leading legislative strategy and public affairs for American Airlines in seven Mid-Atlantic states and the hub communities at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. Responsible for representing American with airport partners, state and local governments, chambers of commerce, economic development and tourism entities to advocate for corporate and customer interests.
Civic or charity engagements: Currently serving in my first term with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board of trustees following appointment by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners in fall 2021. Also serving as board treasurer for Women Executives and a member of the UNC Charlotte Foundation board of directors and MPA advisory council; past board chair for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (2019) and Carolinas Aviation Museum (2016-2019); and led the 2022 Advocacy Committee for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Effective representation of the airline with stakeholders and state and local governments throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, including navigating complex public health ordinances and related impacts on airport operations; grass-tops advocacy for the Payroll Support Program; strategic communication and outreach initiatives; and implementation of a mass vaccination event for 5,000 airport workers at CLT. Much of this was accomplished from my home with a phone and laptop, while pregnant with my second child.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
If you say you are going to do something, do it. Following through is critical to building trust, respect and personal credibility.
Hobbies
These days, my husband and I stay busy chasing two toddlers — Jackson Boone, 3.5, and Wyatt, 1.5. We also love our e-bikes, Charlotte’s dining and brewery scene, live music and traveling on American Airlines to visit family and friends.
Tracy Montross ’10 MPA
Tracy Montross
Current job: Regional director of government affairs, American Airlines Group Inc.
Responsibilities: Leading legislative strategy and public affairs for American Airlines in seven Mid-Atlantic states and the hub communities at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. Responsible for representing American with airport partners, state and local governments, chambers of commerce, economic development and tourism entities to advocate for corporate and customer interests.
Civic or charity engagements: Currently serving in my first term with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board of trustees following appointment by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners in fall 2021. Also serving as board treasurer for Women Executives and a member of the UNC Charlotte Foundation board of directors and MPA advisory council; past board chair for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (2019) and Carolinas Aviation Museum (2016-2019); and led the 2022 Advocacy Committee for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Effective representation of the airline with stakeholders and state and local governments throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, including navigating complex public health ordinances and related impacts on airport operations; grass-tops advocacy for the Payroll Support Program; strategic communication and outreach initiatives; and implementation of a mass vaccination event for 5,000 airport workers at CLT. Much of this was accomplished from my home with a phone and laptop, while pregnant with my second child.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
If you say you are going to do something, do it. Following through is critical to building trust, respect and personal credibility.
Hobbies
These days, my husband and I stay busy chasing two toddlers — Jackson Boone, 3.5, and Wyatt, 1.5. We also love our e-bikes, Charlotte’s dining and brewery scene, live music and traveling on American Airlines to visit family and friends.
Virginia Luther ’18 MSRE
Current job: Managing director, Charlotte commercial, The Spectrum Cos.
Responsibilities: Responsible for overall success of the Charlotte office team, including growing the office, mixed-use sector through development opportunities, acquisitions and overseeing the health and profitability of leasing and management assignments.
Civic or charity engagements: CREW Charlotte 2025 president; UNC Charlotte Childress Klein Center for Real Estate alumni board; The Relatives
Virginia Luther
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Delivery and almost 100% lease up of Vantage South End, a 635,000-square-foot, mixed-use, office development in South End in the middle of Covid with over 20 leases executed.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Not being brave at work. Being too safe or scared can cripple you and prevent you from your greatest value and achievements. Don’t be afraid to be your best self!
Virginia Luther ’18 MSRE
Virginia Luther
Current job: Managing director, Charlotte commercial, The Spectrum Cos.
Responsibilities: Responsible for overall success of the Charlotte office team, including growing the office, mixed-use sector through development opportunities, acquisitions and overseeing the health and profitability of leasing and management assignments.
Civic or charity engagements: CREW Charlotte 2025 president; UNC Charlotte Childress Klein Center for Real Estate alumni board; The Relatives
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Delivery and almost 100% lease up of Vantage South End, a 635,000-square-foot, mixed-use, office development in South End in the middle of Covid with over 20 leases executed.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Not being brave at work. Being too safe or scared can cripple you and prevent you from your greatest value and achievements. Don’t be afraid to be your best self!
