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Women Of Excellence: Pat Upshaw-Monteith
President & CEO, Leadership Atlanta
by Terri Thornton
July 1, 2008
E
ven though she works with some of the city's most intelligent, affluent and effective
leaders, Pat Upshaw-Monteith was not born to a privileged life. Her mother was a housekeeper who
managed to raise eight children on a small salary.
"It wasn't until after she passed 12 years ago that I really learned to appreciate the values
she instilled in me," Upshaw-Monteith says. "She taught me to be a hard worker; never to settle for
less; and always strive for the best."
When Upshaw-Monteith moved to Atlanta in 1976, she drove past the Woodruff Arts Center, home
to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum and the Atlanta College of Art. "I
said, ‘Hmm ... with a master's degree in theatre and a minor in music, I'm going to work in that
building some day.'" Two years later, she became assistant GM of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, a
post she held for 13 years.
Upshaw-Monteith joined Leadership Atlanta in 1992, becoming president and CEO in 2005. She describes Leadership Atlanta as an organization that gives established business, civic and community leaders an inside look at critical regional issues including education, criminal justice, race relations and health care. They see issues firsthand – whether in Grady Hospital's neonatal unit, a Clarkston refugee community or the Fulton County jail.
Over the past 10 years, Upshaw-Monteith says the program's branding and quality have improved, evidenced by the fact that it attracts top CEOs as guest speakers.
Becky Blalock, SVP and CIO for Southern Company, says Upshaw-Monteith was a wonderful mentor. "Atlanta is very fortunate in that we have one of the strongest and most successful leadership programs of any city in the country, and that's because of Pat," says Blalock, who serves on Leadership Atlanta's board of advisors and is immediate past chair. "If there's something not in the best interest of the organization, she will really take a stand on it."
Blalock adds that Upshaw-Monteith's leadership skills are constantly evident, both in her ability to run a big organization with a small staff and many volunteers, and her ability to raise funds in a difficult environment. "Leadership Atlanta is in very good financial shape," Blalock says. "We have a large endowment because Pat does such as great job. She's a phenomenal leader and a wonderful benefit to that organization and a great role model for other women."
And while Atlanta is a good place for women in business, Upshaw-Monteith says success has been incremental.
The solution? She encourages women to take more risks, and not give up. She finds her own inspiration every day at work.
"I get up every day just blessed that I'm awake and I can live my life to the fullest, I am blessed to have one of the best jobs in the world."
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