UNC Charlotte honors four alumni whose leadership is shaping communities and industries
The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association honored four exceptional graduates whose leadership, innovation and service are shaping industries and strengthening communities across the region and beyond. During the 2026 Alumni Awards ceremony on Friday, Feb. 27, in the Popp Martin Student Union, the University celebrated alumni whose achievements reflect the bold spirit and enduring impact of Niner Nation.
“Our alumni are shaping the future of Charlotte and beyond, and this year’s award recipients exemplify that influence with extraordinary clarity,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Their leadership strengthens our community and advances the values that define UNC Charlotte. We celebrate their achievements and look forward to the continued impact they will make.”
“Each of these honorees is a profound source of pride for our University,” said Summer Baruth ’00, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “Through their time and talents, these remarkable alumni have demonstrated that their love of Charlotte has not faded since commencement; rather, it has deepened, continuing to enrich our campus and strengthen our collective future.”
Honorees
Distinguished Alumni Award: Laura Yates Clark ’02 M.A.
Laura Yates Clark is a transformative leader whose work has shaped Charlotte’s civic and nonprofit landscape. As president of Foundation For The Carolinas, she guides strategic initiatives for one of the nation’s largest community foundations, strengthening the region through philanthropy and civic engagement. Clark previously served as president and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte, where she led major efforts to advance economic mobility and racial equity. Her career has been defined by a deep commitment to children, families and community development, including leadership roles with the Renaissance West Community Initiative and the Council for Children’s Rights.
Clark’s influence extends nationally and locally through her service on the Purpose Built Communities Board of Directors and the UNC Charlotte Board of Visitors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree in clinical and community psychology from the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Science.
View the video honoring Clark.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Hunter Edwards ’88
Hunter Edwards has spent more than three decades building and leading in the HVAC service, controls and construction industry. As founder and CEO of MSS Solutions, he transformed a small start‑up into a successful Charlotte‑based company known for its strong culture, technical excellence and meaningful impact on the region.
Edwards’ influence reaches far beyond his business. He serves on the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors and the TowneBank Charlotte Regional Board. His connection to UNC Charlotte is especially meaningful: he and his wife, Stephanie ’86, made a landmark gift to support the 49ers football program, resulting in the Hunter and Stephanie Edwards Promenade at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Belk College of Business.
View the video honoring Edwards.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Igor Jablokov ’00 MBA
Igor Jablokov is a visionary innovator and global leader in artificial intelligence whose work has fundamentally shaped how people interact with technology. As the chairman and founder of Pryon, he has dedicated his career to advancing augmented intelligence and transforming the way organizations access and use knowledge. Jablokov previously founded Yap, the world’s first high‑accuracy, fully automated cloud platform for voice recognition. Earlier in his career at IBM, he led teams that created the precursor to Watson and developed the world’s first multimodal web browser.
Jablokov’s impact extends beyond his companies. A recipient of Eisenhower and Truman National Security fellowships, he explored how entrepreneurship and venture capital can address global challenges. Jablokov is committed to developing the next generation of STEM leaders, serving as a mentor in the TechStars Alexa Accelerator, a Blackstone NC Entrepreneur‑in‑Residence and founder of a Global Shapers chapter within the World Economic Forum. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Penn State and a MBA from Belk College of Business.
View the video honoring Jablokov.
Dr. Gregory Davis Visionary Leadership Award: Robyn Massey ’81
Robyn Massey is a distinguished technology leader, community advocate and devoted champion of UNC Charlotte whose career and service have shaped organizations locally and globally. For more than three decades, she built an exceptional career at IBM and Microsoft, where she led complex, multi‑million‑dollar business transformation initiatives, earning her top honors, including IBM’s prestigious Golden Circle Award. Massey’s commitment to using technology for social good led to her selection for the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge in Durban, South Africa, where she advised city leadership on economic development strategies with global reach.
Massey’s devotion to UNC Charlotte is equally remarkable. She helped establish the Black Alumni Chapter, served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors — including two years as president — was a founding member of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Advisory Council and completed three terms on the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board
Massey’s commitment to service extends throughout the Charlotte community. She has long championed causes supporting women and children through the Girl Scouts and the Junior League of Charlotte. In retirement, Massey continues to lead and uplift others as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; vice president of The Society, Incorporated — Greater Charlotte Chapter; a board member for City Startup Labs; and a member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropists. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Klein College of Science and a MBA from Wake Forest University.