Jesse Cureton

Jan.  18. Jesse Cureton, Novant Health executive vice president and chief consumer officer, was recognized Jan. 16 with a Martin Luther King Jr. Emerging Leader Award by the National Diversity Awards. Cureton is being honored for his work building innovative consumer experiences that prioritize health equity, as well as employee experiences that are national models for diversity, equity and inclusion.

The National Diversity Award’s mission is to honor influential individuals, organizations and businesses advancing diversity, exemplifying leadership and demonstrating corporate responsibility in their respective workplaces and communities. The MLK Emerging Leader Award recognizes corporate leaders who exemplify the same leadership attributes as Martin Luther King Jr. – integrity, determination and intelligence.

Cureton currently serves on the board Foundation for the Carolinas, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Center City Partners, the University of Chapel Hill Board of Visitors, and as chairman of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

Cureton has worked at Novant Health for a decade. He led Novant Health’s systemwide rebrand that successfully unified the organization through a culture of wellness and consumer engagement, focusing on innovative health care delivery and community-centric care. Today, Cureton continues to lead omnichannel marketing and the communication efforts to share Novant Health’s commitment to price transparency, evolving consumer needs, personalized patient experiences and strategies to achieve health equity. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Cureton applied his expertise in fundraising, partnership and engaging communication strategies to help Novant Health be a trusted source of information.