Don Young
Don Young, Charlotte MBA Class of 2024
Chief Executive Officer, Everon
How did your career evolve after graduating from the MBA Program at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School?
Almost immediately after graduating in 2024, I transitioned into a CEO Advisor role at ADT before being offered the Chief Executive Officer role at Everon.
How did UNC, Kenan-Flagler Business School, the MBA program, or MBA Career Services help you reach where you are today?
Graduating from the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA program in 2024 provided me with immediate, tangible benefits in my career progression. Intensive coursework in corporate finance, capital allocation, and valuation refined my ability to interpret financial data and translate it into strategic action—skills I’ve already applied in capital planning, board presentations, and investment prioritization as CEO of Everon. Equally impactful was the program’s emphasis on integrating financial insight with leadership agility. Through real-world case studies and peer collaboration, I learned to make high-stakes decisions quickly while balancing operational risk and shareholder value—an approach I’m using today to guide Everon’s transformation and growth.
What advice would you give to current MBA students?
The most valuable lesson I took from the MBA program is that financial acumen and leadership judgment must go hand in hand. Understanding the numbers is essential, but knowing how to communicate their implications, inspire action, and align diverse stakeholders is what turns analysis into results. Treat every project, case, and group discussion as a simulation for the high-stakes decisions you’ll face as an executive. Build your financial fluency, but equally develop your ability to listen, adapt, and create alignment. Your technical expertise will open doors—but your ability to lead people through complexity will determine how far you go.
In what ways do you see our students standing out in the workplace or making an impact?
I see UNC MBA graduates stand out for combining sharp financial acumen with the ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive strategic change, and deliver measurable results from day one.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was the oldest graduate last year of ALL cohorts and although have served as CIO and COO of multiple coporations, both private and public, for decades, I have never served as a CEO until after I graduated from the UNC, Kenan-Flagler Business School, MBA Program.
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