From The Classroom to the Boardroom: Shaping the Future of Learning with Amy Wartham

Amy Wartham, Director of Corporate Training and Executive Education, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

One constant remains in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape: the need for strong, strategic leadership and continuous learning. Amy Wartham, Director of Corporate Training and Executive Education at UNC Charlotte, has made it her mission to ensure organizations don’t just keep up with change - they lead it.

With over two decades of experience in learning and development, Amy brings a unique blend of academic rigor, practical application, and visionary leadership to her role. Her journey has been shaped by a deep passion for helping professionals unlock their potential, and organizations align talent development with strategic goals.

Building Leadership at Every Level

One of Amy’s signature achievements has been the development and delivery of high-impact leadership programs tailored to meet the needs of today’s leaders. Her “Leadership Essentials” program, fosters not only skills enhancement, but also provides activities that help build a sense of team cohesion and purpose. Amy understands that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept - it’s contextual, dynamic, and deeply human.

“I believe great leadership starts with self-awareness and is sustained by empathy, adaptability, and clear communication,” she says. “Our goal is to help leaders see themselves more clearly so they can lead others more effectively.”

A Strategic Partner for Organizations

Under Amy’s leadership, the UNC Charlotte Corporate Training and Executive Education team has expanded its reach, working with organizations across industries to provide customized learning solutions. Whether it’s aligning individual goals with team objectives, developing a high-performance culture, or creating engaging upskilling paths for employees, Amy and her team act as strategic partners rather than service providers.

“I believe great leadership starts with self-awareness and is sustained by empathy, adaptability, and clear communication. Our goal is to help leaders see themselves more clearly so they can lead others more effectively”

She also supports companies through transitional moments - such as organizational restructuring, culture shifts, or new leadership pipelines - helping them navigate change through learning and capability building.

Innovation with Heart

Though strategy and structure are essential to Amy’s work, those who’ve partnered with her often highlight her personal warmth and her ability to build genuine relationships. Known for being friendly, curious, and occasionally a self-described “chaos creator” in the best way, Amy has a talent for bringing energy into every room and making learning something people look forward to, not dreading.

“A big part of what we do is help people want to learn,” she says. “That means meeting them where they are, removing barriers, and creating experiences that are relevant, fun, and impactful.”

Recognized for Excellence

Amy’s dedication to her craft and her community has earned her widespread recognition throughout her career. In 2023, she received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Excellence - North Carolina’s highest honor given to state employees. She created a series of one-hour, live, instructor-led webinars offered to all UNC Charlotte employees. This 13-sessions series addressed three primary topics: morale and burnout, productivity and efficiency and skills needed by managers.

In 2020, she was named one of Charlotte Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business Leaders, a testament to her impact in both corporate and educational circles.

Her earlier accolades include being named one of Charlotte’s “Movers and Shakers” by Charlotte Business Leader Magazine in 2008 and a “Woman Extraordinaire” in 2009.

Additionally, The Mecklenburg Times has recognized Amy as one of Charlotte’s “50 Most Influential Women” not once, but three times - in 2011, 2014, and most recently in 2024. These honors reflect not only her professional excellence but also her continued influence and leadership in the Charlotte community.

Looking Ahead

As the business world continues to evolve - with hybrid work, rapid technological change, and new generations entering the workforce - Amy remains focused on deepening her impact across the Charlotte metro region. She is actively building new partnerships with companies of all sizes, working to expand the reach of UNC Charlotte’s Corporate Training and Executive Education programs.

Her goal is to bring high-quality, relevant, and results-driven learning experiences to even more professionals, helping organizations strengthen their talent pipelines and navigate the challenges of a changing workforce. Whether through custom leadership programs or targeted development initiatives, Amy continues to prioritize elevating learning outcomes - ensuring that every program delivers lasting value to both individuals and the organizations they serve.

Through it all, Amy’s work remains rooted in a clear vision: to empower individuals, strengthen teams, and help organizations lead with purpose and resilience in an ever-changing world.