The Directors to Watch: Racial & Ethnic Diversity Class of 2025 highlights 24 significant and diverse directors who have contributed to and will continue to expand ongoing dialogue on board best practices and corporate governance excellence.
Curtis Stephens
Carter Bankshares Inc.
Curtis Stephens is an independent director with Carter Bankshares Inc., serving on the enterprise risk management and credit risk committees.
An executive in the banking, transportation, real estate, and sports and entertainment industries, Stephens provides insight on risk governance and operational resilience matters, fostering the positive governance of risk-taking and its value with board committee work and the full board's focus on strategy, governance and value creation.
A CEO-vetted New York Stock Exchange board services candidate, he holds a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School.
Stephens, an executive committee member of the Qualified Risk Director Governance Council, earned an M.B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor's in economics from Rutgers University.
Embrace the positive governance of risk-taking in the boardroom. “Positive governance of risk-taking is a journey of identifying risks inherent in all parts of the enterprise, profound commitment and impactful decision-making. It requires patience, expertise, and the ability to reframe risk and its use in achieving goals. The satisfaction derived from shaping an organization's trajectory is immeasurable. The CEO wants to understand the impact that risk will have on the company if not addressed. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of potential threats and challenges, directors can actively weigh risk in a forward-looking way that enhances resilience and strengthens the organization against the uncertainties inherent in the business environment.”