Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Tunno Buelow, founder of Bella Tunno, to explore how she transformed a personal tragedy into a global mission of impact. From donating over 15 million meals to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurialism, Michelle shares her journey of building a brand that matches her "heart mission" with her business goals.  Join us to learn how her life and her s...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tonya Matthews, CEO of the International African American Museum, a powerhouse bioengineer and a recognized poet. Together, we discuss how being kick-ass is all about "weathering the storm" and how she balances high-level intellectual drive with a deep-seated need for unifying communities. Highlights include the power of complexity, the distinctions of leading...

Cat Carter is a restaurateur, magazine editor, food writer, and former consultant who opened Charlotte’s gastronomic giant, L’Ostrica, with her partner (in food and in life), Eric Ferguson in 2024. A citizen of the world, Cat grew up in a bicultural home and on military bases all over the globe. She brings flavors and learnings from multiple cultures into her restaurant and our conversation. Cat s...

Elizabeth Bradford, renowned artist and self-described naturalist, inspires one to slow down, breathe deeper and focus on essentials. Asserting that kickass is all about "owning your power unashamedly and unabashedly," she has been making extraordinary marks and embracing her power since an early age. Elizabeth makes the case for why we shouldn't play small, how constancy reshaped her perspective...

Fierce optimism grounds this conversation with Dianne Bailey, Bank of America's Managing Director and National Philanthropic Strategy Executive. A self-proclaimed "warrior for good" who evangelizes the power of the collective, Dianne has crafted her own unique pathway from traditional corporate lawyer to national leader who facilitates private giving for public good. Join us for this inspiring con...

Raised in a traditional, Southern home by parents who held conventional roles, Susan Hull Walker could have easily followed suit. Instead, she chose to live life from the inside out—listening deeply to her inner yearnings and seeking out an unconventional path. Susan set aside her role as religious leader and picked up a new cloth, literally, with the launch of The Ibu Movement—curating luxury han...

A boundary-breaking leader who loves people, Stella Patterson has elevated to the highest ranks of law enforcement, having served as Raleigh's Chief of Police and now beginning her tenure as Charlotte-Mecklenburg's first woman police chief. Kind, strong and real, Stella shares her amazing professional journey, which includes a tour in Iraq, and how a determined introvert grew into a magnetic, deep...

Elizabeth Davis is president of the 200-year-old Furman University in Greenville, SC. She has shattered multiple glass ceilings, doesn’t take herself too seriously, prioritizes fairness, and has even played with Wynton Marsalis! In this episode, she shares how making the first overture created limitless opportunity for her professionally, the dynamic between risky decisions and deeply-held values,...

Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO of Roof Above in Charlotte, exemplifies servant leadership. In this episode, she shares her journey of growing from a shy, observant child whose heart would hurt for others into a deeply caring, tougher-skinned leader whose life work is to end homelessness. Liz describes the drawbacks and gifts of being a people-pleaser and why faith, curiosity and listening are the tools she...

Revered for the powerful way she tells others' stories, Hannah Hasan now shares her own book of stories. Join us for a provocative, generous love letter to family, community, risk taking and brand building. Hannah shares her experiences in navigating difference with respect to race and faith in the Carolinas, and how embracing the messiness of ourselves and others is essential to cultivating belon...

Leading from the heart--what it is and how to do it--is the central theme of this conversation with Sherri Chisholm, Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity in Charlotte. Curious, intense, candid, vulnerable and fun, Sherri exemplifies the courage, conviction and groundedness it takes to be truly authentic as a leader. She shares how her childhood of hanging drywall and using power tools taug...

This episode is a masterclass in how to succeed with authenticity and integrity, even at the highest levels of corporate America. From her modest small-town upbringing to becoming the highest ranking woman at Bank of America, Andrea Smith's career and impact have spanned corporate banking and HR, economic development, nonprofit management and professional sports. Andrea possesses a confidence and...

With a captivating Irish brogue and audacious "let's see" approach to risk, Sarah Moriarty shares stories of a multi-countried and multi-cultural life. Arriving in Charleston in 2021 and now serving as Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival, she talks about the challenges and joys of culture shock, the healing power of nature and the unexpected connections between Charleston, Dubli...

In this vulnerable, powerful episode, Janeen Bryant reflects on kick-ass women as healers, warriors and outlaws across generations. Educator, facilitator, entrepreneur, and currently Executive Director of Community Building Initiative in Charlotte, Janeen shares how a dog named Fatback taught her about love, loyalty and loss, and how her purpose as connector is rooted in family reunions run by her...

Award-winning author of 3 novels, The Iguana Tree (2012), Border Child (2017) and the forthcoming Fig Days (2027), Michel Stone's storytelling is deeply rooted in the distinct people and place of SC's Lowcountry. In this episode, Michel talks about turning our kryptonite into our superpower, how kindness and vulnerability are critical aspects of kick-assery, and the power that comes from having go...

Get ready for a "run through the sprinkler!" Audra Toussaint, Director of Support at Orijin, a public benefits corporation dedicated to providing educational tablets to incarcerated individuals, serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Umbrella Center Foundation, where she is working to establish a Family Justice Center in Mecklenburg County, NC. A domestic violence survivor, Audr...

Monique Perry-Graves is a model for being both bold and intentionally self-reflective. The first statewide Executive Director for Teach for America North Carolina and now new CEO of Road to Hire, Dr. Graves speaks to the powerful combination of high expectations and support, the potency of boldly seeking out and asking for what you want, and her clarity of purpose--Lift. She shares how risk is rel...

The willingness to speak truth to power grounds this conversation with Laura Yates Clark, currently President of the Foundation for the Carolinas. Community-builder and change-maker in Charlotte NC, Laura discusses the importance of women supporting women, the risks and rewards of navigating uncharted waters as a leader, and how a good laugh always lightens her load. Join us now for this kick-ass...

Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas features dynamic, deeply connecting conversations with phenomenal women who are reshaping the narrative of success for women and girls of the Carolinas. Betsy Fleming, South Carolina native, museum director, college president and executive coach, dives in with these powerhouse women to understand how they navigate work and life on their own terms, with authenticity...