Bold transformation, authentic leadership, and the profound impact of faith in the workplace. These words paint a vibrant representation of Kisha Smith’s life. As Vice President of Human Resources at Tepper Sports & Entertainment—whose clients include the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC— Kisha has spent over 22 years cultivating a career built on empowering others, leading with integrity, and living unapologetically as a Christian woman in the workplace. Through her journey, she has learned the importance of community and growth, a lesson she discovered in full through her connection with the 4word community.

Her experience with 4word has been nothing short of life-changing. “I couldn’t stop talking about it,” Kisha recalls about attending the Executive Women 4Christ (EW4C) forum in 2024. “The Holy Spirit was so heavy on me. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had in my career. It was like, ‘Okay, God, I see You. I see what You’re doing. Let’s do this.’” It’s this sense of connection, authenticity, and empowerment that Kisha has found within 4word, and it has since fueled her passion for leading with faith and purpose.

For Kisha, 4word provided not just a professional network, but a true community of women leaders, each of them focused on bringing unity and transformation to their workplaces. Here, Kisha shares her remarkable story of growth and connection, and how 4word played a pivotal role in her leadership journey.

From Ambition to Authentic Leadership

When Kisha first started her career, she had two simple goals: financial stability and success. “I wanted a lifestyle that I didn’t have as a child,” she reflects. As a result, she pursued a degree in computer programming, a field that promised lucrative opportunities. However, it didn’t take long for Kisha to recognize that her strengths lay elsewhere. “I quickly realized that it wasn’t my strength. The math and analytics didn’t suit me,” she admits. “I shifted to business administration and found my sweet spot in human resources.”

Kisha’s natural aptitude for communication and connection proved to be the key to her success. “My mom always told me I had the gift of gab,” she laughs. “And I still do!” This gift became her career’s foundation as she transitioned into various HR roles, ultimately leading to her current position at Tepper Sports & Entertainment.

Her career path has been far from linear. Over the years, Kisha earned multiple degrees, including an MBA in human resource management, a master’s in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary, and soon, an Executive MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. “I’ve been in school my whole life,” she jokes. But these degrees were not just academic pursuits—they were part of her broader mission to grow, evolve, and live out her faith.

For Kisha, the most profound lesson from her educational journey has been the importance of maintaining a growth mindset. “When you have a growth mindset, the sky’s the limit,” she says. “You’re open, flexible, and hungry for more.” It’s this openness that has allowed Kisha to embrace new opportunities, pivot when necessary, and live with a sense of purpose that fuels her career and leadership.

Embracing Faith and Authenticity in the Workplace

Kisha’s commitment to her faith has been a cornerstone of her leadership journey. In her roles at Walmart and at Tepper Sports & Entertainment, she has consistently refused to compromise her Christian beliefs. “The one thing I won’t settle for is having to sacrifice my faith,” Kisha shares confidently. “I’m unapologetically who I am.”

Kisha’s authenticity in the workplace has not only set her apart but has also helped her thrive. At Tepper Sports & Entertainment, where she leads HR for the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, she continues to live out her faith and values. “I sat across the table from the owner of the Panthers and said, ‘The Kisha that you see in this interview is the Kisha you’re going to get every single day,’” she recalls. “And the next day, I got a job offer.”

This unapologetic approach to leadership has proven to be powerful. Kisha’s ability to embrace her faith in a secular world and lead with authenticity has earned her respect, not just as a leader but as a woman of integrity. “It’s not about what you can do for me,” she reflects. “It’s about sharpening each other, helping one another grow, and being in community with other women who understand what it’s like to be a Christian leader in the workplace.”

Finding a Community That Supports Her Journey

Kisha’s connection to the 4word community came at a pivotal moment in her career. Despite having already established herself as a successful leader, Kisha was drawn to 4word after discovering the Executive Women 4Christ (EW4C) forum on social media. Initially unsure if her background would be a good fit for the event, Kisha applied, and to her delight, she was welcomed with open arms. “When I went to the forum, it was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had in my corporate career,” she says. “I was hooked. More women need to experience this, regardless of their level of leadership.”

What stood out most to Kisha at EW4C was the genuine support and love that the 4word community offers. “It was like talking to someone you’ve loved your whole life,” she shares. “Every conversation felt like you were part of a family. There was so much love, so much support—it was absolutely unbelievable.” For Kisha, this experience was a reminder of the importance of authentic connection and the value of surrounding oneself with like-minded women who are on a similar journey of faith and leadership.

At the forum, Kisha experienced what she describes as a spiritual awakening. “The Holy Spirit was so heavy on me,” she says. “It was like, okay, God, I see what you’re doing. Let’s do this.” The 4word community became a place where she could recharge, learn, and grow alongside other women who were committed to leading with purpose and faith.

How 4word Has Impacted Kisha’s Leadership

The support and empowerment Kisha found in 4word have profoundly impacted her approach to leadership. “Networking with my 4word sisters is fulfilling,” she says. This refreshing perspective on networking is a far cry from the usually transactional nature of traditional professional networking. In the 4word community, the focus is on genuine connection, mutual growth, and shared purpose.

“4word has taught me the value of being in a community where you can be your true, authentic self,” Kisha says. “In other circles, you can feel like you’re an individual just trying to fit in. But in 4word, you feel like you’re part of something bigger—something greater than yourself.”

To Kisha, this sense of belonging and support is what makes 4word unique. She has learned that in order to be an effective leader, one must first embrace community. “You don’t get this type of support anywhere else,” she says. “The love, the care, and the genuine desire to see one another succeed—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

Your Community is Waiting For You

Kisha’s experience with 4word is a testament to the power of community, faith, and leadership. For women like Kisha, who are navigating the complexities of leadership while staying true to their faith, 4word offers a unique space for growth, empowerment, and connection.

If you are an executive-level Christian woman in the workplace, Kisha’s story is an invitation to join a community that will support, inspire, and empower you to lead with purpose. The Executive Women 4Christ (EW4C) forum offers a transformative experience where you can connect with like-minded women, learn from seasoned leaders, and deepen your impact as a Christ-centered leader.

“More women need this,” Kisha insists. “No matter where you are in your leadership journey, 4word is the place to be. It’s where you can grow spiritually, professionally, and emotionally. It’s where you can truly find community.”

If you’re an executive woman ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and would like to experience the transformative power of 4word, apply to attend the Executive Women 4Christ forum today. Like Kisha, you can find a community that will empower you to lead with authenticity, grace, and unwavering faith.

Kisha Smith joined the Carolina Panthers in October 2019 as Vice President, Human Resources and was promoted to her current role with Tepper Sports & Entertainment in 2022. In her role, Smith leads the Human Resources function for TSE, including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium.

Smith came to the Panthers as Vice President of Human Resources for the organization following a 15-year career with Walmart Inc. and Sam’s Club. There, Smith led and supported the companies’ logistics, regional operations, new store openings, health & wellness and headquarter functions in Florida, North Carolina, Washington D.C. and Bentonville, Ark., the location of the companies’ headquarters.

Originally hired into her HR career by the Walmart Logistics team as a Human Resource Office Manager in 2004, Smith held various roles with increasing responsibilities, leading large HR teams, and partnering as a strategic business partner to varying levels of executive business operations leaders within different business segments of the company. Prior to joining TSE, her role was within the Sam’s Club division, serving as HR Senior Director, Field Operations.

Smith serves on the Charlotte Ballet Board of Trustees. A native of Shelby, N.C., Smith earned a degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She went on to earn an MBA in human resource management from Columbia Southern University, a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary, and currently pursuing an Executive MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Smith and her husband, Marcus, have two children, Kylie and Santana.