Leslie Dunn Lipscomb ’05 embodies the essence of being a “lifelong Monarch” as her passion for Methodist University is evident through her everyday life. The Charlotte-born alumna has been in a proud Monarch family from the beginning as her parents, the late Robert “Bob” Dunn ’70 and Camille Dunn ’70, both graduated from then Methodist College.
Leslie Dunn Lipscomb ’05 embodies the essence of being a “lifelong Monarch” as her passion for Methodist University is evident through her everyday life.
The Charlotte-born alumna has been in a proud Monarch family from the beginning as her parents, the late Robert “Bob” Dunn ’70 and Camille Dunn ’70, both graduated from then Methodist College.
“From the time I was probably three years old, I was going to Methodist College’s Homecoming, and we would see all of my mom’s friends that she went to school with,” recalled Lipscomb. “I remember getting all dressed up for the dances, watching the Homecoming King be crowned, and then watching the football game. For me, Methodist was very comfortable and second nature. It was pretty special.”
As fate would have it, when it was her turn for college, Lipscomb chose MU – pointing to the familiarity, the proximity to family, and the diversity of degrees offered as key reasons for her selection.
Lipscomb fit right in from the start – spending her time outside of the class as a member of the dance team, a resident assistant for Pearce Hall, and an active participant with the school’s Students in Free Enterprise.
But most of all, Lipscomb realized her potential in academics while double majoring (Business Administration and Marketing).
“My professors were incredible, especially Dr. Jeff Zimmerman and Sherri Schmidt,” Lipscomb said. “They taught me all of the little things that matter like not putting your high school email address on your resume. They provided very foundational, fundamental type of coaching that I needed to be successful later in my career.”
Lipscomb even put her business chops to the test while in school – starting her own apartment cleaning business that was able to hire her roommates at the time.
“The grace, love, care, and affection I received from my professors led me into the world of working and set me up to give the same level of service to people I work with now,” Lipscomb added.
After graduation, Lipscomb has found great success in various roles and opportunities in the business world. Starting as a sales associate for Financial Independence Group in 2006, Lipscomb has climbed the ladder and now leads as a senior vice president for a family-owned financial institution based in the town of Cornelius just north of Charlotte. Recently, Lipscomb became one of 15 co-authors for the bestselling book “Financial Trendsetters”.
In the midst of her busy schedule, Lipscomb finds time to give back to Methodist University. During MU’s most recent capital campaign, Lipscomb volunteered for feasibility interviews and now helps steward an endowed scholarship that her father started in honor of the late Dr. Sid Gautam.
Also, Lipscomb and her sister – Dianne Dunn Jones ’01, another proud alumna of Methodist University – have been active participants of the Charlotte alumni chapter and continue to support annual regional events.
“Methodist University is extremely special to me,” said Lipscomb. “Having that connection with my mom, dad, and sister really means a lot. All of us grew up there, and that was our launch pad before becoming the people we are today. Methodist University had an impact on the people that raised me so that’s pretty special.”
Lipscomb now lives a 30-minute drive north of Charlotte in Huntersville with her husband, David, and their son, Brewer, while maintaining a close relationship with her sister who is currently finding success in the world of commercial real estate.
“My sister, Dianne, is that person I call when I’m not feeling good about something. She lifts me up and tells me I can do anything,” said Lipscomb. “After my dad passed in 2015, we created a rule that whenever we want to tell him something, we call one another. It’s a neat connection the two of us have.”
“I’m super thankful for my experience at Methodist University,” Lipscomb added. “The self-discipline I learned guided me into the working world and helped me understand that I can handle multiple irons in the fire. But I’m also thankful for all of the lifelong friendships I made at Methodist University that are still alive and well today.”