Alumni Spotlight Details

Lindsey Graves ‘01 graduated from College of Charleston in 2005 with a B.A. in Media Studies/Public Relations. She also was on the NCAA Division I Equestrian Team, and she still rides today. Lindsey is currently CEO and President of Sunset Transportation. In 2018, she was named on the Top 40 under 40 list by the St. Louis Business Journal. Sunset Transportation has also been recognized as a Top Company to work for in St. Louis by the St. Louis Post Dispatch for 10 years in a row.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater St. Louis Area Boy Scout Council. Lindsey, her husband, and three daughters live in St. Louis. Her eldest daughter, McKenzie ‘29, attends Whitfield.

Describe how Whitfield prepared you for college and beyond. 

When I think of Whitfield and how the experience prepared me for college, the biggest things that come to mind are time management and the ability to write well.  Once I got to college, I was able to be a good student while being in a sorority and riding on the equestrian team - I had my horse and a social life all while going to school full time. I was also able to effectively write different types of essays while many of my peers struggled. These two skills were invaluable to my college experience. 

What are you most thankful for from your Whitfield experience, both in and outside of the classroom?

I am most thankful for the community at Whitfield.  I came to Whitfield in 8th grade after having a terrible experience at a public middle school.  I was bullied and hated school because of it.  Whitfield was the complete opposite of that.  I felt like I was at home every day and never once felt like I didn’t belong. 

I am also thankful for the college preparatory education I received. I was more than well prepared for college, both in and out of the classroom. I had both the content knowledge and academic learning skill set to succeed.

What are some of your favorite Whitfield memories?

Some of my favorite memories at Whitfield are during my senior year, most specifically, Lip Sync and Bonfire.  A massive group from our class participated and met many days after school to practice.  That year especially I felt like our entire class was so close and we were one big family.  

What were some of your favorite classes at Whitfield? Why?

English was definitely my favorite class.  I loved Dr. Hays’s class specifically because of the debates and seminars.  While difficult, those projects prepared me for college by teaching me how to speak with confidence, construct a strong argument, and listen well to others.  German was also fun because our class was so small.  

What skills do you use in your career that you began forming at Whitfield?

I use my strong communication skills every day, and Whitfield was instrumental in helping prepare me for the workforce. From drafting emails to public speaking, I knew what to do, how to draft my words, and how to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

What opportunities did Whitfield provide you that you might not have had elsewhere?

My Senior Project [May Quest or Capstone to some alumni] was a unique opportunity that I wouldn't have experienced anywhere else. The experience of working outside the classroom was valuable in helping me understand how a business runs. Specifically, I was able to put my love of horses to work and manage a barn. I learned how riding horses was more than just fun- it was a business. From ensuring the horses had the proper exercise, feed, and care to managing the finances and billing, I was able to be hands-on and learn what it was like running a business.

Describe your career. 

I am the CEO of Sunset Transportation, a third-party logistics company based in St. Louis. We have around 300 team members and six offices across the country. I’ve been with Sunset for 19 years this year and have held many positions throughout my tenure. 

My major responsibility is our people. Although I don’t have a strong finance background, communication, strategy, and culture building are what make me thrive and have helped me get to where I am today. 

I look forward to many more years at Sunset, helping grow a successful company where our team members enjoy coming to work and we have a healthy culture.  Life is too short to not love what you do and who you surround yourself with- something I learned from Whitfield. I am truly blessed for having that time in my life.