Our popular C-Suite Perspectives series returned to The Umstead Hotel and Spa with a powerful message of personal and professional development. AT&T North Carolina President Venessa Harrison shared her journey from her upbringing in Southeast Raleigh and her first job with the company as a long-distance phone operator to her climb up the corporate ladder to become the company president.
“I was on a mission to succeed,” Harrison told the audience about her first job with the company. “I knew I wasn’t going to stay there long. I knew deep down inside I was going somewhere.”
Harrison talked about people who helped her along the way, including her mother who she said impressed upon her the importance of education and to have a strong work ethic.
“Keep moving toward your goals,” Harrison said. “You have to take risks. I encourage you to empower yourself to soar.”
Harrison told the audience there is no glass ceiling. “The sky is the limit for all of us,” she said.
Promoting education and literacy are elements that Harrison said are vital for the community. She talked about her work to help ensure literacy in schools. “So many programs are out there. Let’s come together and push in a united front toward literacy,” Harrison told the audience.
She also wanted to make sure those in the audience know the importance of how they communicate at work. Harrison told them how important words can be. “You must speak things into existence,” she said. “Don’t be negative.”
Harrison said teamwork is critical to success. “Don’t ever talk bad about each other,” she said. “Don’t throw each other under the bus.”
We all enjoyed the lively discussion with Harrison and thank her for taking part in our C-Suite Perspectives series. We also would like to thank our series title sponsor, First Citizens Bank, and our presenting sponsors, Delta Dental of North Carolina and the Marsh & McLennan Agency. You can see our conversation on Twitter here.
Our next C-Suite Perspectives will be on June 15. At this event, you’ll hear from Dr. Patrick Conway, the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
“I was on a mission to succeed,” Harrison told the audience about her first job with the company. “I knew I wasn’t going to stay there long. I knew deep down inside I was going somewhere.”
Harrison talked about people who helped her along the way, including her mother who she said impressed upon her the importance of education and to have a strong work ethic.
“Keep moving toward your goals,” Harrison said. “You have to take risks. I encourage you to empower yourself to soar.”
Harrison told the audience there is no glass ceiling. “The sky is the limit for all of us,” she said.
Promoting education and literacy are elements that Harrison said are vital for the community. She talked about her work to help ensure literacy in schools. “So many programs are out there. Let’s come together and push in a united front toward literacy,” Harrison told the audience.
She also wanted to make sure those in the audience know the importance of how they communicate at work. Harrison told them how important words can be. “You must speak things into existence,” she said. “Don’t be negative.”
Harrison said teamwork is critical to success. “Don’t ever talk bad about each other,” she said. “Don’t throw each other under the bus.”
We all enjoyed the lively discussion with Harrison and thank her for taking part in our C-Suite Perspectives series. We also would like to thank our series title sponsor, First Citizens Bank, and our presenting sponsors, Delta Dental of North Carolina and the Marsh & McLennan Agency. You can see our conversation on Twitter here.
Our next C-Suite Perspectives will be on June 15. At this event, you’ll hear from Dr. Patrick Conway, the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
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