About the Honoree

Jennifer Roberts served as a four-term Mecklenburg County Commissioner and later as the 58th Mayor of Charlotte. After leaving public office she ran the Communities Program on climate solutions for a national environmental non-profit, ecoAmerica. She has long been a champion of issues related to education, equality, inclusion, and environmental protection. She is the only person to be elected to serve as both Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Commission and later as Mayor of Charlotte.

Before entering elected office, Roberts worked as a high school math teacher, a diplomat with the U.S. State Department, an international banker, and an adjunct professor at UNC-Charlotte. She currently serves on numerous community boards and commissions, including serving as chair of Meck Ed and treasurer of MeckMIN (Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network). In addition to her work with the Carter Center, she is the honorary chair of the Re-imagining America Project, a speaker and author, and a consultant on issues ranging from climate change to democratic engagement and leadership.