Cindye Richburg Cotton, Ph.D., is executive director of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center in West Columbia. With over 30 years of senior management experience, she leads impactful programs in youth education, mental health, workforce development, and community health. She has secured over $12 million in grants and built partnerships with AT&T, Dominion Energy, TD Bank, and Boeing. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, and inspire others toward a shared vision or goal. It involves setting direction, making informed decisions, and empowering people to perform at their best. Effective leadership is grounded in integrity, accountability, and strong communication, while also requiring adaptability and empathy. At its core, leadership is not just about authority — it is about service, building trust, and creating an environment where individuals and teams can grow, collaborate, and achieve meaningful results.
One thing that has served me well over the years is maintaining an optimistic, solutions-focused mindset. I consistently look for the positive in challenges rather than dwelling on obstacles. I also believe in recognizing the best qualities in team members, aligning them with their strengths, and supporting their growth. By encouraging, promoting, and rewarding hard work, I help create an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to succeed.
If there is one thing I could go back and do differently, it would be to practice greater understanding and patience in my younger years. I would take more time to listen, assess situations more thoughtfully, and consider the “why” behind circumstances before making decisions. Giving myself that space to reflect would have allowed for more informed, balanced choices and stronger relationships.
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