Best and Brightest: Brooke Chhina

Brooke Chhina

Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy

Trident United Way

Charleston

Age 36

I've always believed that some of the best opportunities begin with a simple question: "Why does it have to be done this way?" That curiosity has shaped both my career and the way I lead. I enjoy bringing people together, solving complex problems, and building new ideas that create meaningful, lasting impact. Professionally, I've been fortunate to lead initiatives that strengthen organizations, cultivate strategic partnerships and philanthropy, and rethink traditional approaches to community impact. What motivates me most isn't simply achieving a goal. It's helping build something better than what existed before and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference for both organizations and the people they serve. Outside of work, I'm a wife, a mom to two incredible kids, an avid traveler, a foodie, and a lifelong bookworm. Some of my favorite memories are exploring new places with my family, sharing a great meal, or getting completely immersed in a good book. Those experiences continually remind me to stay curious, embrace different perspectives, and never stop learning. My hope is that wherever my career leads, I'm remembered as someone who led with integrity, invested in people, challenged conventional thinking, and helped create opportunities that outlasted my own involvement.

Favorite Quote and Why: "The best way to predict the future is to create it." — Often attributed to Peter Drucker. I've always believed that meaningful change doesn't happen by waiting for the right opportunity. It happens when you're willing to challenge assumptions, think differently, and build something that doesn't yet exist. That mindset has shaped both my career and my leadership style. I try to focus less on maintaining the status quo and more on asking, "What could this become?" Whether I'm developing new partnerships, leading a team, or solving community challenges, I want to be someone who creates possibilities rather than simply responding to them.

Definition of a Successful Leader: A successful leader helps other people accomplish more than they believed was possible. Leadership isn't about having all the answers or being the smartest person in the room. It's about creating clarity, building trust, developing others, and having the courage to make difficult decisions when they're needed. I also believe great leaders stay curious. They challenge the way things have always been done, listen more than they speak, and remain willing to adapt when better ideas emerge. Ultimately, success isn't measured by your own achievements. It's measured by the people you develop, the culture you create, and the lasting impact you leave behind.

Advice to 18-Year-Old Self: Stop doubting yourself. You don't have to have everything figured out, and you certainly don't have to fit into someone else's definition of success. Some of your biggest failures will become your greatest teachers because they mean you were brave enough to take a chance. Keep raising your hand, keep trying new things, and don't let the fear of failure convince you to play small. You will find your place. You will build a life you're proud of. One day you'll realize that every setback was preparing you for something bigger. And whatever you do, never make yourself smaller just to fit into someone else's box. The qualities that make you different are the very ones that will shape the life and career you're meant to have.