As it turned out, Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman’s future was smack between Kentucky, where she was born, educated and built a career, and Georgia, where she’d occasionally visit her in-laws in Albany.
It was Chattanooga, where Quarterman took over in July as president and CEO at The Enterprise Center, succeeding the retiring Deb Socia.
Working in partnership with the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, the Enterprise Center works to improve life for residents by promoting innovation, providing access to digital technologies for all, and boosting economic growth through collaboration and smart technology.
She says she and her husband, Kurt, had been traveling to Albany for about 10 years, and fell in love with Chattanooga’s culture and beauty along the way.
Quarterman was drawn to The Enterprise Center as a “fantastic opportunity at the epicenter of innovation,” she says, adding that the organization’s impact is sending waves of influence throughout the nation and world.
“The Enterprise Center is best known for its Tech Goes Home program — supporting Tennesseans from corner to corner (of the state) and sharing best practices for innovation development,” she says. “The Enterprise Center is a share-first culture, and I love that. I thought it would be a fit.”
Quarterman had established herself on multiple media platforms as a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation when Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear named her executive director for entrepreneurship/innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Prior to that appointment, she led Kentucky Commercialization Ventures and founded the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance.
In what ways do you believe the business landscape has changed for women since you started your career?
I would say that, for women, the business world has become much more complex. Women are starting to support each other more, sharing their narratives. I love that my career puts me in a place to contribute to that conversation.
Who has been your greatest source of support or inspiration in your career, and how has that relationship changed your life?
Mentorship from strong executive women throughout my career. At the entry level point in my career, Dr. Paula Bates (professor of medicine at the University of Louisville) gave me my first open seat on a major grant.
My natural inclination was to sit in the corner at not make much noise. She pulled out a chair and said, Sit right here (next to me).’ She literally made room for me and gave me the confidence to work alongside other executives.
What is the best piece of career advice you ever received?
It came from my mom, who has a very spunky personality and is full of life. She told me to never take myself too seriously. My team knows I love to laugh, and I love opportunities to inject fun into the work. It’s very important in any career to take time to enjoy the journey. If you can laugh at your mistakes, you get better and stronger along the way.
Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman
* Education: MBA, University of Louisville
* Family: Husband, Kurt Quarterman; parents, Randy and Denise; brother, Randy Jr.
* Interests: Video games, especially Nintendo Switch
* First job: Customer service at Sears
* Business book recommendation: Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy by STEMconnector
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