Women in Business Honorees
2024
Two UNC Charlotte alumnae recognized for their leadership in the Charlotte region
EXCERPTS FROM CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL
On March 21, the Charlotte Business Journal recognized outstanding leaders in the Charlotte region during their annual Women in Business Awards program. Over the past 30 years, this event has honored women for their innovation and vision who make an impact across a variety of industries. The program is co-sponsored by UNC Charlotte and leadership from the Belk College of Business helped present the awards.
The 2024 class includes two UNC Charlotte alumnae: LaRita Barber ’90, and Nikki Kral ’10. Barber earned a master’s degree in public administration and Kral earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice & criminology.
“We celebrate all the Women In Business honorees who are shaping their professions and the community around them,” said Belk College of Business Interim Dean Dolly King. “We especially pay tribute to the many ways they are inspiring emerging leaders, including our own Belk College students. It is an honor that we have this opportunity to share their inspirational stories and recognize their leadership.”
This year, both honorees are alumnae from the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. CHESS Interim Dean John Smail is thrilled that students have applied foundational lessons learned during the course of their degrees across various disciplines. “We applaud these winners for their dedication to serving others and the leadership they provide, both in their industries and in our community,” said Smail. “We are so proud to witness how they have continued to develop the foundations they cultivated in CHESS to achieve such success.”
Meet the Honorees
Content Courtesy of the Charlotte Business Journal
LaRita Barber
Current role: Chief advancement officer, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Responsibilities: To create affinity for Goodwill’s mission through compelling storytelling, authentic relationship building and partnerships that create pathways for people to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper.
Civic or charity engagements: Board of Visitors, Johnson C. Smith University; president-elect, Women Executives; Leadership North Carolina
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
I live a blessed life, and I don’t take for granted any opportunity I have been given to live my best life. As a result, my career path has been this rich journey of discovery and possibility. I have been able to contribute to the missions of some amazing organizations over the years that align with the things that I value most, which is doing intentional work that elevates others and allows them to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper. Through my leadership and advocacy, my assignment has always been to connect organizations in meaningful ways to the people and communities they serve. My career journey has shaped my awareness of the importance of social and economic justice and equitable access. I am deeply passionate about people being able to experience prosperity, however they define it for themselves, without systemic barriers. So, I am most proud that my career path has given me this lens to view the world and serve others.
What has been the hardest lesson learned along the way, or the one that’s had the greatest impact on your career?
Trust the journey, be still, know that wherever I am is exactly where I am supposed to be, and God has equipped me for every assignment. I have learned that my career is not my life but contributes to the richness of my life.
Why did you choose your field or profession, or how did you get started in it?
My careers have chosen me. My path has not been a linear one, though there have been threads of common themes. Social capital has worked in my favor over the span of my four-decade career trajectory. I have just tried to be prepared, ready and open to try new things when opportunities show up. My curiosity over the years has served me well, which is why my career has not been stagnant, but rather fluid.
What inspires or motivates you?
What inspires me is when people are given the opportunity to live their best life and wake up each day hopeful, joyful and with purpose.
Are there any extraordinary obstacles you’ve had to overcome, or was there a moment when you got a big break?
All of my big breaks have come at times when someone has believed in me and seen something in me that I may not have seen in myself. Just about every career move I have made has involved someone taking a chance on me to do something that I had not done before or imagined for myself. The biggest break, of course, is when I trusted myself enough to accept the challenge.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Being impatient with their career journey and trying to do life too fast.
Hobbies:
Reading memoirs, interior design, flower arranging and alone time to journal, reflect and meditate.
Nikki Kral
Current role: Director of manufacturing, Shutterfly
Responsibilities: Oversee and manage operations of the Shutterfly production facility in Fort Mill. The facility is 300,000 square feet with over 400 full-time employees in addition to more than 500 seasonal contractors. We produce personalized gifts and textiles with a specialty in saving memories.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Being recognized in the Women in Business Awards is the achievement I am most proud of! I stand amongst a group of strong women with extensive careers across various business divisions and I couldn’t be more honored.
What has been the hardest lesson learned along the way, or the one that’s had the greatest impact on your career?
One of the hardest, but most impactful, lessons learned for me has been failure. Failure can be found in various forms, but it always creates a path of learning for me. In a previous role, I did not have the tools needed to effectively manage my team and I lost their confidence in my ability to lead. I was afraid of conflict, I was not confident in my decisions, and I didn’t feel I was qualified for the role. Due to this, the team of leaders that reported to me challenged every decision I made. I learned that it is very important to create a team with the same personal and professional goals. A team that respects you personally, your professional knowledge and morals is the key.
Why did you choose your field or profession, or how did you get started in it?
Initially, I studied criminal justice at UNC Charlotte and aspired to be in the FBI one day. That completely changed after I met a group of recruiters at an on-campus career fair looking for people managers. I didn’t know this was something I would enjoy doing, but I took the leap because I would be managing the loss prevention division and thought I could put my criminal justice degree to use. Little did I know, I would fall in love with the people management, and not so much the apprehending criminals piece. I jumped in from there and continued to build upon my leadership abilities.
What inspires or motivates you?
People. I show up every day for my team.
Are there any extraordinary obstacles you’ve had to overcome, or was there a moment when you got a big break?
Proving myself. As a young, female leader it can be tough, and there will always be haters. I prove myself and overcome through results, and I do it my way. I learned if I build a solid foundation with my routines, I can accomplish anything.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Running away from the uncomfortable. Overcoming the feeling of being uncomfortable and being open to learning new skills makes me a better leader.
Hobbies:
Staying active and doing Crossfit, which allows me to build strength surrounded by a group of people that are chasing the same goals and having fun doing so; and relaxing on the beach with a book.
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Two UNC Charlotte alumnae recognized for their leadership in the Charlotte region
EXCERPTS FROM CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL
On March 21, the Charlotte Business Journal recognized outstanding leaders in the Charlotte region during their annual Women in Business Awards program. Over the past 30 years, this event has honored women for their innovation and vision who make an impact across a variety of industries. The program is co-sponsored by UNC Charlotte and leadership from the Belk College of Business helped present the awards.
The 2024 class includes two UNC Charlotte alumnae: LaRita Barber ’90, and Nikki Kral ’10. Barber earned a master’s degree in public administration and Kral earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice & criminology.
“We celebrate all the Women In Business honorees who are shaping their professions and the community around them,” said Belk College of Business Interim Dean Dolly King. “We especially pay tribute to the many ways they are inspiring emerging leaders, including our own Belk College students. It is an honor that we have this opportunity to share their inspirational stories and recognize their leadership.”
This year, both honorees are alumnae from the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. CHESS Interim Dean John Smail is thrilled that students have applied foundational lessons learned during the course of their degrees across various disciplines. “We applaud these winners for their dedication to serving others and the leadership they provide, both in their industries and in our community,” said Smail. “We are so proud to witness how they have continued to develop the foundations they cultivated in CHESS to achieve such success.”
Meet the Honorees
Content Courtesy of the Charlotte Business Journal
LaRita Barber
Current role: Chief advancement officer, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Responsibilities: To create affinity for Goodwill’s mission through compelling storytelling, authentic relationship building and partnerships that create pathways for people to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper.
Civic or charity engagements: Board of Visitors, Johnson C. Smith University; president-elect, Women Executives; Leadership North Carolina
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
I live a blessed life, and I don’t take for granted any opportunity I have been given to live my best life. As a result, my career path has been this rich journey of discovery and possibility. I have been able to contribute to the missions of some amazing organizations over the years that align with the things that I value most, which is doing intentional work that elevates others and allows them to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper. Through my leadership and advocacy, my assignment has always been to connect organizations in meaningful ways to the people and communities they serve. My career journey has shaped my awareness of the importance of social and economic justice and equitable access. I am deeply passionate about people being able to experience prosperity, however they define it for themselves, without systemic barriers. So, I am most proud that my career path has given me this lens to view the world and serve others.
What has been the hardest lesson learned along the way, or the one that’s had the greatest impact on your career?
Trust the journey, be still, know that wherever I am is exactly where I am supposed to be, and God has equipped me for every assignment. I have learned that my career is not my life but contributes to the richness of my life.
Why did you choose your field or profession, or how did you get started in it?
My careers have chosen me. My path has not been a linear one, though there have been threads of common themes. Social capital has worked in my favor over the span of my four-decade career trajectory. I have just tried to be prepared, ready and open to try new things when opportunities show up. My curiosity over the years has served me well, which is why my career has not been stagnant, but rather fluid.
What inspires or motivates you?
What inspires me is when people are given the opportunity to live their best life and wake up each day hopeful, joyful and with purpose.
Are there any extraordinary obstacles you’ve had to overcome, or was there a moment when you got a big break?
All of my big breaks have come at times when someone has believed in me and seen something in me that I may not have seen in myself. Just about every career move I have made has involved someone taking a chance on me to do something that I had not done before or imagined for myself. The biggest break, of course, is when I trusted myself enough to accept the challenge.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Being impatient with their career journey and trying to do life too fast.
Hobbies:
Reading memoirs, interior design, flower arranging and alone time to journal, reflect and meditate.
Nikki Kral
Current role: Director of manufacturing, Shutterfly
Responsibilities: Oversee and manage operations of the Shutterfly production facility in Fort Mill. The facility is 300,000 square feet with over 400 full-time employees in addition to more than 500 seasonal contractors. We produce personalized gifts and textiles with a specialty in saving memories.
What professional achievement are you most proud of?
Being recognized in the Women in Business Awards is the achievement I am most proud of! I stand amongst a group of strong women with extensive careers across various business divisions and I couldn’t be more honored.
What has been the hardest lesson learned along the way, or the one that’s had the greatest impact on your career?
One of the hardest, but most impactful, lessons learned for me has been failure. Failure can be found in various forms, but it always creates a path of learning for me. In a previous role, I did not have the tools needed to effectively manage my team and I lost their confidence in my ability to lead. I was afraid of conflict, I was not confident in my decisions, and I didn’t feel I was qualified for the role. Due to this, the team of leaders that reported to me challenged every decision I made. I learned that it is very important to create a team with the same personal and professional goals. A team that respects you personally, your professional knowledge and morals is the key.
Why did you choose your field or profession, or how did you get started in it?
Initially, I studied criminal justice at UNC Charlotte and aspired to be in the FBI one day. That completely changed after I met a group of recruiters at an on-campus career fair looking for people managers. I didn’t know this was something I would enjoy doing, but I took the leap because I would be managing the loss prevention division and thought I could put my criminal justice degree to use. Little did I know, I would fall in love with the people management, and not so much the apprehending criminals piece. I jumped in from there and continued to build upon my leadership abilities.
What inspires or motivates you?
People. I show up every day for my team.
Are there any extraordinary obstacles you’ve had to overcome, or was there a moment when you got a big break?
Proving myself. As a young, female leader it can be tough, and there will always be haters. I prove myself and overcome through results, and I do it my way. I learned if I build a solid foundation with my routines, I can accomplish anything.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make?
Running away from the uncomfortable. Overcoming the feeling of being uncomfortable and being open to learning new skills makes me a better leader.
Hobbies:
Staying active and doing Crossfit, which allows me to build strength surrounded by a group of people that are chasing the same goals and having fun doing so; and relaxing on the beach with a book.