In this episode, Holly Welch Stubbing shares a powerful perspective on money and the meaning we attach to it. She talks about how, once our basic needs are met, prosperity can become less about accumulation and more about giving back.

In the book The Soul of Money, author Lynne Twist writes that money is a distinctly human invention. It’s a total fabrication of our genius and its power comes from the power we give it. What if we thought about prosperity in a different way–can Prosperity be about giving back to others rather than accumulation for self? In the true spirit of Pro Humanitate, Holly has dedicated her entire career to the power of philanthropy. In this conversion, we discuss the complexities of philanthropy, focusing on the motivations behind giving, the evolution of donor-advised funds, and the impact of technology on charitable giving. Holly shares her personal journey and the mission of the National Philanthropic Trust, an organization which she now leads. We explore generational shifts in giving, the importance of trusting leadership, and the need for nonprofits to adapt to changing societal expectations. We talk about the power of money as a tool for positive change. It might just change the way you think about how money impacts your life and the community in which you live.

Are you stuck in your career? Do you feel like you’ve done all the things that have been asked of you but you’re not advancing the way you had hoped? Do you get frustrated when you learn how the politics of the workplace actually works? Career Maven Tiffany Tate has some great advice for you. 

Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities faced by mid-career professionals. We talk about  leadership as a mindset, the invisible ceiling that many encounter, and the role of kindness in the workplace. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on careers and the necessity of building relationships within and outside of work. 

In this episode I have a guest co-host–Wake Forest alumna Cheryl Fischer Class of 1993 who hosts the Mind your Midlife podcast, which I hope you’ll check out as well. https://www.mindyourmidlifepodcast.com

So sit back and enjoy this engaging conversation today on the Wake Women podcast.

By popular demand, Katie Neal ‘03 is back to the Wake Women Podcast, this time giving us tips on how to be bold (and not bitchy) while communicating in the workplace. When you walk into a meeting at work, do you command attention? Or do you think that being assertive may make you look “bossy” to your colleague? Katie is here to tell us that ambition and achievement should not be shamed in women. Power is a tool to be used for the greater good, and to be successful leaders should communicate hope, trust, empathy and compassion. But how do you move outside your comfort zone to portray confidence? Well, lean in, because we are about to learn how.

When Beth Hopkins left the Wake Forest campus in the early 70s, she put her hands on her hips and swore she’d never come back. Instead, she and her late husband Larry ended up spending their entire careers serving Wake Forest in law and medicine. Now, a dorm is being named in their honor to recognize their trailblazing contributions to the university. In this episode, Beth shares her journey from what she calls being a rabble rousing student to what has been a distinguished career in law and civil rights. It’s a story you’ll want to hear.

In our conversation, Beth reflects on her experiences as one of the first Black students at Wake Forest, the challenges she faced, and the impact of her heritage on her passion for civil rights. The discussion also touches on her late husband Larry's contributions to the community and their shared commitment to making a difference. The conversation highlights the evolution of Wake Forest University, the importance of community engagement, and the significance of celebrating milestones in the history of the institution. In this conversation, Beth Hopkins reflects on her impactful career in law and community service, emphasizing the importance of pro bono work and social justice. She discusses the role of law in ensuring equitable representation and the need for optimism in challenging times. The conversation also touches on the significance of memorialization in recognizing contributions to society, particularly in the context of her own legacy at Wake Forest University. Beth envisions a future for the university that embraces diversity and prepares students for a multicultural world.

Sandi James ‘06 has always been an active athlete. In high school she played on multiple basketball teams, in addition to playing tennis and competing in track and field. When she decided to continue her focus on sports playing basketball for Wake Forest University, she couldn’t have imagined a career as a professional tackle football player and a collegiate flag football coach. But through years of training and hard work, that’s what has happened. Today, Sandi brings her spirit and inspiration to the Wake Women Podcast.

In 2019, Allison Orr ‘93 was invited to Wake Forest to create an amazing event that someone described as being “as close to a sacred moment on this campus that I’ve seen.” More than two-and-a-half years in the making, “From the Ground Up” was a collaboration between Wake Forest’s iPlace and Allison’s dance company Forklift Danceworks, whose mission is to use creative dance to build community. Housekeeping staff, arborists, turf crew members, locksmiths and carpenters were among the nearly 70 participants that performed on Hearn Plaza in an original “civic spectacle". 

In this conversation, Allison shares her experiences and insights on the intersection of art, community, and social justice. From her travels to Venice and her connections to Wake Forest, to her activism and the creation of performance projects like 'From the Ground Up', Allison emphasizes the importance of collaboration, relationship-building, and the role of dance in fostering social change. She reflects on her journey as an artist and educator, highlighting the power of creativity to inspire dialogue and community engagement.

In this engaging conversation, Dianne Dailey reflects on her remarkable 30-year career as a women's golf coach at Wake Forest University. She discusses the evolution of women's athletics, the impact of Title IX, and her journey to becoming a coach. Dianne shares insights on the importance of mentorship, building confidence in athletes, and the challenges of fundraising and recruiting. She emphasizes the unique culture at Wake Forest, the significance of relationships in athletics, and her passion for teaching and mentoring young people. Dianne's legacy is one of empowerment, leadership, and a commitment to helping students find their passions.

Dianne Dailey spent 30 years as Wake Forest's women's golf coach before retiring following the 2018 season.  During her tenure, she led the Demon Deacons to 30 team titles and 38 individual titles.  She won four ACC Championships and led the Deacons to 15 NCAA Championships while being recognized with four ACC Coach of the Year honors.  During her tenure, Dailey coached 27 All-Americans, 39 All-ACC selections, five ACC Players of the Year and four ACC Freshmen of the Year including 2018 NCAA Champion Jennifer Kupcho.  Dailey led the Deacons to ACC titles in 1994, 1995, 2009 and 2010 while taking the club to an NCAA regional berth every year from 1993 to 2018.   A member of the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Dailey was the LPGA Coach of the Year in 2001 and is a past president of the NGCA.  A 1971 graduate of Salem College, Dailey played professionally on the LPGA Tour following her graduation before becoming Wake Forest's head coach in 1988.  Her 30-year tenure as a head coach is the second-longest in school history behind only Jesse Haddock's 32 seasons.

Can acting skills be valuable in the boardroom? How can we use the tools of theater and improvisation to enhance our leadership skills, foster authenticity, and navigate power dynamics? Well, we are about to find out. Melissa Jones Briggs is a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and also serves as an Associate Fellow at the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford. She specializes in performance as a tool for social and organizational change. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of theater and leadership, talking about the importance of empathy, presence, and the role of personal power. The discussion also touches on the challenges of covering and uncovering identity in professional settings, the responsibility of the arts in social change, and the significance of relationships in defining success.

Melissa Jones Briggs is a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Melissa specializes in performance as a tool for social and organizational change. She also teaches in the flagship Stanford Executive Program among others on campus in California. In the UK, Melissa serves as an Associate Fellow at the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford. Outside Academia, Melissa works with senior leaders and teams at some of the world's top corporations, VCs, hyper-growth startups, NGOs and national institutions. She has experience serving on the Board of Directors for both non-profit and educational (K-12) organizations. An honors graduate of Wake Forest University, Melissa also studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the Coaches Training institute, and the Actor’s Center Conservatory in New York. She divides her time between California and London with her husband Lee Briggs (‘02), their three daughters, and german shepherd dog.

This conversation explores the creative journeys of two Wake Forest students, Parker Beverly and Sofia Trujillo, as they discuss their experiences in the arts, the importance of supportive faculty and family, and their unique projects focusing on women's stories. The dialogue highlights the transformative power of a liberal arts education and the courage it takes to pursue a career in the arts. We explore the interconnectedness of generational experiences, the significance of community in personal journeys, and the power of storytelling, particularly in uplifting women's voices. The discussion highlights the responsibility that comes with creative expression, and the aspirations of these two very creative women as they envision their futures. Through their artistic endeavors, they aim to create meaningful impact and foster understanding across diverse backgrounds.

Parker Beverly ‘23, MFA ‘25

Parker Beverly graduated in 2025 with an MFA in the Documentary Film Program at Wake Forest University. Prior to graduate school, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary American Studies with a minor in Film & Media Studies from Wake Forest. The stories I love most are those which get to the heart of a person, investigating what makes an everyday individual tick. From the sidelines of football games to the backstage of Atlantic City’s biggest stage, Parker’s work has taken her on many unique adventures. She sees film as a way to touch people’s lives. Interviewees turn into lifelong friends, adopted grandmothers, and pen pals. She hopes her work encourages introspection and a desire to see the good in others. Link to her portfolio: https://bevepg19.myportfolio.com/films

Sofia Trujillo ‘25

Sofia Trujillo graduated from Wake Forest in 2025 as a Studio Art major, double minoring in Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship. As an artist and writer, her work often explores intra and interpersonal relationships, the complexities within these dynamics, and the outcomes of such interactions. More recently, her art focuses on female identity and bodily autonomy. As an innovator, Sofia is constantly creating; she enjoys the challenges associated with bringing new ideas to life. Her greatest motivation as an artist is to spark conversations and break existing barriers that prevent individuals from engaging in critical discussions with one another. While studying art and writing for seven months in Florence, Italy, her approach to creating changed significantly as she recognized the lineage of artistic practice. Sofia believes that her time spent in the heart of the Renaissance movement transformed her relationship with the artistic world. Sofia’s interdisciplinary work has been featured in the 3to4 Ounces Literary Magazine and the Old Gold and Black, as well as multiple stArt Gallery and Hanes Art Gallery exhibitions. Sofia is honored to be a part of the WFU Arts community and looks forward to continuing her involvement as an alumna. Link to her artist statement: https://hanesgallery.wfu.edu/sofia-trujillo-honors-exhibition/

That’s Wake Forest alumna Carol Willis, talking about the resilience of her ancestors, particularly those who hailed from Orange County, Virginia. She’s my guest today on Wake Women, a podcast by and about the women of Wake University. I’m your host, Mary Tribble, class of ‘82. We’re here to bring you intelligent, thought-provoking reflections from successful women whose experiences will inspire you to be your best self. 

Montpelier, President James Madison’s family estate, is considered by many to be the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution. Its stately home, rolling hills, and majestic views tell a myriad of compelling and complex stories, including those of the enslaved individuals who built and supported the plantation and its powerful owners. In this episode, archeology scholar Wendy Rea and Wake Forest alumna Carol Willis talk about the powerful story of the place they share and their insatiable curiosity about the people who have shaped their lives.

The ground below us holds stories of our past. My conversation with Wendy and Carol explores the profound connections between archaeology, personal history, and family genealogy. They share their powerful experiences together at Montpelier, including the emotional impact of discovering the enduring legacy of ancestors. We also talk about the need for truth and reconciliation in addressing historical injustices, the responsibility of historians to tell inclusive narratives, and the ongoing revolution in redefining who is considered a founder of the nation. This is a powerful discussion that explores our shared history and questions how truth is told.