The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business recently hosted the second installment in The Power of Leadership: A Signature Speaker Series. This series focuses on bringing seasoned business leaders to Clemson to engage with students, faculty and staff across the University.
About the speaker: Kristi Coleman
The second speaker in the leadership series was Kristi Coleman ’06 M’07, CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and president of the Carolina Panthers. She oversees all business operations for the organization, including the Panthers, Charlotte Football Club and Bank of America Stadium.
When she was named Panthers president in 2022, Coleman became the second female team president in NFL history. Her historic rise reached another milestone last year, when the Panthers faced the Las Vegas Raiders in the league’s first-ever matchup featuring female presidents leading both franchises—a moment now immortalized at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In her role, Coleman is responsible for navigating the dynamic challenges of operating in a multibillion-dollar industry—from fostering relationships across two leagues to overseeing all aspects of the teams’ and venue’s business initiatives and developments. Coleman has been instrumental in defining facility projects for the organization, including securing the Charlotte City Council’s vote for a joint $800 million renovation of Bank of America Stadium and negotiating the extension of the stadium’s naming rights deal with long-time partner Bank of America.
Her work has earned her widespread recognition and numerous awards, including this year’s Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40, the 2024 Businesswoman of the Year award from Queens University Charlotte, the 2024 Game Changers award from Sports Business Journal and Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 in 2020.
Coleman has deep roots throughout the Carolinas. A native of Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, she is a proud graduate of Clemson University, holding a degree in accounting and a master’s degree in professional accountancy.
She currently lives in Charlotte with her husband, Wade, and their two sons, Thomas and Charlie.
Having impactful leaders like Kristi Coleman is what makes this series so unique. Being able to learn from her experiences empowers students on their journey of becoming business leaders in their own careers.
Dean Wendy York of the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
The Power of Leadership
The event began with remarks by Dean York, followed by a welcome by Craig Wallace, chair of the Department of Management, who moderated the event. Coleman shared about the importance of data analytics in her role and some lessons she has learned throughout her leadership journey.
Data tells a story
When asked about how Coleman uses data to guide her decision-making, she explained how data tells a story. It helps determine the most impactful ways to keep fans engaged, identify the biggest opportunities for improvement and inform the best direction to take. One example she shared was when Charlotte FC launched. Coleman said that data analytics was essential for identifying and reaching people who were interested in the new team and for building a brand that appealed to potential fans.
Be kind
One of the most important things anyone can do, said Coleman, is to be kind. She believes kindness is foundational to strong leadership and creating an environment that people want to work in. When people feel respected, they give their best and trust the people around them. Coleman said that simple principle has guided her throughout her career from the time when she started at Deloitte, to where she is today.
Hard work speaks for itself
Coleman explained that effort and consistency earn respect. Hard work often opens doors and creates opportunities you weren’t expecting. Starting out in her career, she put in long hours and focused on learning as much as she could. Over time, she found that people began to notice, and those small, consistent efforts added up in ways that shaped the trajectory of her career.
Student impact
Students in attendance were then able to ask several of their own questions, including what Coleman has learned throughout her career and what advice she would give to someone who wants to pursue a career in sports data analytics.
Skye Miller, a candidate in the Master’s in Sports Business and Data Analytics program, said, “Hearing Kristi Coleman speak was an opportunity for inspiration in young individuals like me. She spoke words of encouragement to us that inspired me to always work hard and go after what I want in the sports industry.”
About the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business empowers students to evolve into innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders thriving in the dynamic global marketplace of ideas. Through immersive learning inside and outside the classroom, students graduate as adept, market-ready leaders ready to influence the future of business.
