Wake Women

Today's guest is Annabel Love, Wake Forest Class of 2018, Along with her classmate and best friend, Courtney Toll, Annabel co-founded Nori—a company that has reimagined something as simple, and as everyday, as a clothes iron. What began as a dorm-room solution—an easy, effective way to remove wrinkles from clothes without all the clutter—has grown into a nationally recognized brand, driven by Annabel and Courtney’s creativity, grit, and vision. In this conversation, Annabel shares her journey from Wake Forest to successful entrepreneur, offering insight into how Nori came to life and the challenges the founders faced in the early days of the startup.She also reflects on the importance of mentorship and collaboration, along with some true pinch-me moments, including being featured live in the studio on the Today Show. Looking ahead, Annabel discusses the founders’ vision for Nori’s future as a household name in clothing care—and underscores the value of pursuing your passions with the support of a strong community.

Over the past year, I’ve asked Wake Women alumnae one simple question: “What’s your favorite spot on campus?”The answers reveal just how powerful place can be—each one tied to memories of growth, connection, and joy. Today’s episode is a quick highlight reel of those favorite spots, and we hope it inspires you to think about yours.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 ‘25Parker 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/filmsSofia Trujillo ‘25Sofia 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/

At the age of 8, Emily Goodson suffered a brain injury that caused paralysis on the left side of her body. While she was able to recover her speech and mobility through therapy, she was left with a prominent limp and other physical disabilities. Through tools like writing, meditation, and lots of inner work, Emily has emerged from a challenging time in her life to help companies and individuals navigate issues around relationships–including intimate ones–for people with disabilities. She’s even written a book about it! In this episode, Emily shares the importance of advocacy, resilience, and the need for broader understanding of diversity in the workplace. Emily talks about the courage it took to write about her experiences, particularly in the context of dating and intimacy. In this conversation, Emily shares her journey of navigating relationships, vulnerability, and self-discovery. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!