36- Elizabeth McKee, Executive Director, Leadership Charlotte

Elizabeth McKeeExecutive Director, Leadership Charlotte
Elizabeth McKee, Leadership Charlotte
Elizabeth McKee has served as the Executive Director of Leadership Charlotte since 2007, and she is a proud graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class number twenty five. During her tenure, she has guided and facilitated the organization’s programs for thousands of leaders. Prior to her role at Leadership Charlotte, Elizabeth served as the Director of Leadership Initiatives at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. There, she developed and implemented leadership curriculum programs for both undergraduate studies and MBA programs.
Elizabeth continually develops her own leadership skills through travel and challenge. She trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2012, and summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017. A native of Lumberton, North Carolina; Elizabeth received her bachelor’s from Elon University and master’s from Appalachian State University.
Elizabeth McKee is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—
—
35 - Michelle Fritsch, Co-Founder, Propel Comprehensive Wellness

Michelle FritschCo-Founder, Propel Comprehensive Wellness
Dr. Michelle Fritsch is the co-founder of Propel Comprehensive Wellness. She is a Purdue Pharm D. graduate, board-certified geriatric pharmacist, and a nationally-recognized expert in health in retirement. Dr. Fritsch has served as faculty and founding director of academic programs, and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare with underserved populations.
A frequent speaker, author, and contributor to national initiatives, Dr. Fritsch uses her experience to help clients identify goals for healthy living, find supporting resources that suit their purpose, navigate the healthcare system, and map a plan for a happy retirement.
Dr. Michelle Fritsch is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—
—
34- Dorothy Gorman, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas

Dorothy GormanPresident & CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas
Dorothy Gorman is President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. An experienced and dedicated nonprofit executive, Dorothy has expertise in education, workforce development, and corporate engagement. Before joining Junior Achievement, she held multiple leadership positions at Project Lead The Way. Her past experiences also include time at Deloitte, the World Economic Forum, First Advantage, and serving as a research assistant in Nairobi, Kenya. Dorothy has a bachelor’s degree from Furman and an MBA from Carolina.
Dorothy Gorman is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—
—
33- Ken Fuquay, President/CEO, LIFESPAN Services

Ken FuquayPresident/CEO, LIFESPAN Services
Ken Fuquay, LIFESPAN Services
Ken Fuquay’s career has spanned many jobs; from broadcasting to owning the Carolina School of Broadcasting and leading the North Carolina Association of Career Colleges and Schools, to returning to seminary, earning two master’s degrees and becoming an ordained minister. Ken now serves as the President and CEO of LIFESPAN Services, which provides education, employment, and enrichment opportunities for individuals with Intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ken Fuquay is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—
—
32- Bill Uihlein, Assistant Regional Director of Science and Migratory Birds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Bill UihleinAssistant Regional Director of Science and Migratory Birds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
In 2005, Bill Uihlein embarked on a mission to shape the future of conservation through science and collaboration. Drawing on a rich background in biology and a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Bill joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he has dedicated himself to advancing our understanding and stewardship of migratory birds and their habitats. His journey began on ranches across the American West, where his early experiences with his father laid the foundation for a career devoted to environmental science.
Today, Bill serves as the Assistant Regional Director of the Science Application and Migratory Bird Programs within the South Atlantic Gulf and Mississippi Basin. His role is pivotal in fostering relationships, integrating science with conservation practices, and guiding decision-making to ensure the sustainability of fish, wildlife, and plants. Bill’s career has been marked by leadership and a commitment to bridging scientific expertise with practical conservation strategies.
Bill Uihlein is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—
—
31- John Evans, Founder & Owner, Lemuria Books

John EvansFounder & Owner, Lemuria Books
In 1975, John Evans and his wife Mel decided to create an alternative bookstore, named after the submerged and forgotten continent of Lemuria. Intended to foster a counterculture mentality in my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, the store occupied a converted apartment on the backside of a small shopping complex. The balcony faced a swamp, and the tiny Lemuria storefront was nestled between a ladies’ dress shop and Poet’s, the best music bar and restaurant in town.
Fifty years later, my hometown bookstore continues to thrive as a hub for readers and writers alike. A “place where the books talk to each other,” Lemuria has, in fact, become an institution that has managed to solve for the tectonic shifts that have changed the bookselling industry during its remarkable 5 decade run. From malls and mass distribution, from ebooks to Amazon, Lemuria continues to be a place to find real books, real readers, and a better reading experience.
John Evans is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—–
—–
30 - Patricia Massey Hoke and Nikki Jarrell, Woman's Impact Fund

Patricia Massey Hoke, Executive Director, Woman's Impact FundNikki Jarrell, Tax Managing Director at KPMG LLP
Patricia Massey Hoke and Nikki Jarrell
Patricia Massey Hoke is the executive director of the Women’s Impact Fund: an association of women with a mission of strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Nikki Jarrell is the board chair of the Women’s Impact Fund. She has been a member since 2014 and has served as Treasurer and Finance Chair, Audit Chair, and on the Community Impact Committee. In her day job, Jarrell is a managing director in the tax division with KPMG.
What began as a special initiative of the Foundation For The Carolinas, the Women’s Impact Fund has grown into an influential nonprofit organization with more than 1,000 women having been members over time. Founded in 2003, the Fund has awarded almost $8 million in 100 grants to 96 unique nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg County.
Patricia Massey Hoke and Nikki Jarrell are our guests today on The @Work Podcast.
—–
—–
29- Jordan Schindler, Founder, Nufabrx

Jordan SchindlerFounder, Nufabrx
In 2011, Jordan Schindler discovered that his acne was caused from not washing his pillowcases often enough. Determined to find a better solution, the idea for NUFABRX was born. After years of research and development in partnership with a formulation scientist, Schindler developed his revolutionary patented platform technology.
Nufabrx is an innovative technology company focused on the controlled delivery of active ingredients through clothing. Called “healthwear,” the technology seamlessly integrates medication and textiles to create wearable clothing and simplify health and wellness for consumers. Providing all day relief and lasting through 15+ wash cycles, the patented technology is activated by body temperature and moisture.
Today, Nufabrx is an 8-figure revenue business with national retail distribution, headquartered here in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Nufabrx team is made up of scientists and award-winning designers who all share the common goal of making your wellness journey easier. Each Nufabrx product is manufactured and tested right here in the company’s North Carolina based facility.
Jordan Schindler is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—–
—–
28 - Chef Ron Ahlert, Executive Director, Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC)

Chef Ron AhlertExecutive Director, Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC)
Chef Ron Ahlert, Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC)
Chef Ron Ahlert is the Executive Director of the Community Culinary School of Charlotte, a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming lives through culinary education. Under Chef Ron’s guidance, CCSC has become a cornerstone in workforce development, offering comprehensive training and job placement support to adults overcoming employment barriers.
With a focus on culinary skills, job readiness, and personal development, CCSC empowers individuals to build sustainable careers in the food service industry. Chef Ron’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the school’s mission to address poverty’s root causes by fostering self-sufficiency and economic independence among its students.
Chef Ron Ahlert is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
27- Henry Batten, President, Concrete Supply Company

Henry BattenPresident, Concrete Supply Company
Henry Batten, Concrete Supply Company
Henry Batten is the President of Concrete Supply Company, the Carolina’s premiere source for top quality Ready-Mix concrete products, with 90 plants producing nearly 3 million cubic yards of concrete annually throughout the Carolinas.
Henry’s current and past responsibilities include the organization’s general management, dispatch, engineering, quality control, and administrative support functions. He has led and participated in various operational committees aimed at improving safety, customer service, quality, productivity, cost control, and operational effectiveness.
Henry Batten is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
—–
—–