Woman of Impact - Kristi Coleman

A true trailblazer across professional sports, Kristi Coleman is the CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE) and President of the Carolina Panthers.In December 2024, Coleman was named CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, overseeing all business operations for TSE including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Football Club and Bank of America Stadium. Coleman also serves as President of the Carolina Panthers, a role she has held since February 2022, becoming only the second-ever female president in NFL history.In her roles, Coleman is responsible for navigating the dynamic challenges of operating in a multibillion-dollar industry – from fostering relationships with league officials, partners and stakeholders, spearheading innovative business opportunities and enhancing fan engagement, to overseeing all aspects of the organization’s business initiatives and developments.Coleman originally joined the Panthers in 2014, and in her decade with the organization, she has risen from Controller to her executive leadership roles today – a testament to her work ethic, proactive mentality and comprehensive skill set. Recently, Coleman represented TSE as the leader of the Bank of America Stadium renovation project, ultimately securing the Charlotte City Council’s vote for a joint $800 million renovation plan. She also negotiated the extension of the stadium’s naming rights deal with long-time partner, Bank of America, and spearheaded the Panthers’ new indoor practice facility project.She is deeply committed to the community, sitting on the Board of Trustees for Queens University of Charlotte and the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Board of Directors of Charlotte Sports and Charlotte Center City Partners and the President Advisory Board of Clemson University. She is also a member of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council and serves on the finance committee of Girls on the Run.Coleman’s achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including the Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award (2020), the Sports Business Journal Game Changers Award (2024), and the Queens Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year honor (2024).