In this episode of Coffee with Cool People, host Chip Munn sat down with Mindy Taylor, a community connector and public affairs leader with Duke Energy, to talk about service, leadership, and the power of empathy.
Mindy has spent more than 40 years at Duke Energy, shaping a career grounded in community and connection. She began as a marketing representative conducting home energy audits and working with HVAC contractors. Today, she serves as the company’s liaison across Florence, Marion, Horry, and Georgetown counties, building relationships with governments, nonprofits, and emergency management teams. Her role blends corporate insight with local understanding, making her the face of Duke Energy in the communities she calls home.
Mindy is known for her ability to invest in communities with both strategy and compassion. “We don’t give away money; we invest in communities,” she explained. Through the Duke Energy Foundation, she has directed grants to education, children’s programs, and senior support initiatives. Beyond philanthropy, she plays a crucial role during hurricane season, coordinating storm logistics, staging crews, and leading communication efforts. Hurricane Matthew in 2016 stands out as a career-defining moment, shaping her approach to clear, empathetic communication during crises. “If people know what to expect, they can plan,” she said.
Chip noted that Mindy’s impact is not only professional but deeply personal. Raised in Florence, she continues to live and serve in the region. A proud Clemson graduate and devoted “Nona” to four grandchildren, she blends her Tiger pride with a fun-loving energy. Her favorite fictional character, Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, perfectly captures her personality, joyful, energetic, and resilient, with a Clemson twist.
Mindy’s leadership is powered by empathy and connection. She believes in meeting people where they are, drawing on her own life experiences to guide her approach. Whether delivering a grant, leading storm readiness, or championing children’s causes, she brings authenticity and warmth to every role.
From nonprofit dinners to boardroom meetings to hurricane drills, Mindy Taylor shows what it means to lead with heart. Her work proves that community leadership is not about titles or accolades, it’s about investing in people, showing up when it matters, and carrying optimism into every room you enter.
