By Zachary Meeks
Over the past nine years, our company has partnered with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce to deliver leadership development workshops for the Leadership Charleston program. During that time, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and participating in a journey that has shaped me both personally and professionally.
When I first became involved, I wasn’t entirely sure I belonged there. I was early in my career, still finding my footing, and often felt like I had more to learn than I had to offer. Looking back, that uncertainty may have been one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Leadership Charleston challenged me to grow, introduced me to remarkable people, and gave me opportunities to learn from leaders across the region whose examples continue to influence me today.
Leadership Charleston has long distinguished itself through its commitment to community engagement. By introducing each cohort to the opportunities and challenges facing our region through military installations, local government, nonprofit organizations, environmental initiatives, and social impact efforts, the program encourages participants to become active contributors to the future of the Charleston community.
My role initially was simply to lend a helping hand during our workshops. I walked around large conference rooms, worked on improving my handshaking and networking skills, handed out markers and pens, and answered whatever logistical questions I could manage. I was nervous but eager. Even then, I recognized how interesting the work was and how rewarding it could be when everything came together.
As the years went on, I found more opportunities to become directly involved in facilitating workshops. I worked to strengthen my public speaking skills and slowly learned to manage those ever-present nerves. With each class, I gained a little more confidence and experience.
Then came 2022.
This time, I wouldn’t be serving as a facilitator. Instead, I would become a member of the Leadership Charleston cohort, and that’s where the real transformation began.
Until then, my view of the program had been limited to the portions our company was involved in, along with photos and stories from the rest of the class. Now I would experience the entire program firsthand.
Early on, our cohort of 70 participants was divided into groups of about 10 people. Each group was challenged to identify an issue facing our local community and spend the next year working together to create meaningful impact.
That proved easier said than done.
Each of us arrived with different ideas and perspectives. As the youngest member of my group, I often felt like my experience couldn’t compare to that of my fellow classmates. Yet from the very beginning, both my small group and the larger class made me feel welcomed, valued, and like I truly belonged.
Eventually, we found our direction.
After discovering there were already countless passionate people working on many of our community’s biggest challenges, we decided to ask a different question:
“Where are you already making a difference, and how can we help?”
That question led us to Wounded Nature, a nonprofit that engages veterans in environmental restoration efforts throughout the Lowcountry. When we asked what they needed most, the answer surprised us: funding to remove abandoned sailboats from Charleston Harbor.
Over the course of the year, we built a fundraising campaign from the ground up. We developed the fundraising infrastructure, reached out to nearly every contact we collectively knew, and rallied support throughout the community. Together, we raised enough money to remove two boats from Charleston Harbor, with the remaining funds supporting Wounded Nature’s ongoing environmental initiatives.
It was remarkable.
I had underestimated both the amount of work it would require and what a group of committed people could accomplish together. More importantly, I had the opportunity to observe leadership in action. Rather than simply learning about different leadership styles in theory, I experienced them firsthand while working toward a common goal.
I learned many lessons through Leadership Charleston, but perhaps the greatest lessons came from observing others.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside hundreds of leaders, each bringing a unique perspective and approach to serving others.
One leader, however, stands out above the rest.
Therese Gordon, Associate Vice President of the Leadership Program, leads with positivity, composure, and, perhaps most importantly, patience. She has an exceptional ability to move work forward, inspire action, and support others without ever losing sight of the people involved. Of all the leadership examples I’ve encountered through this program, hers remains one of the most impactful.
Although our role in the program may be changing, my appreciation for Leadership Charleston and its mission remains unchanged.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has made this experience possible over the years. It has been an incredible partnership for our organization and a transformative experience for me personally. I am deeply grateful for the friendships, lessons, and opportunities this program has provided, and I look forward to seeing how future classes continue to shape the Charleston community.
To the next generation of Leadership Charleston participants, I’ll leave you with the same question this program challenged me to ask myself:
Where do I still need to grow?
Thank you,
Zachary Meeks
