When you hear the word philanthropist, do you picture yourself?

In this week’s episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, I sit down with Hope Gallagher Ogletree, Senior Director of Development at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and the leader of Fordham’s Women’s Philanthropy Initiatives, to flip the script on what giving really means.

We talk about:

→ Why women already control two-thirds of wealth, and what that means for the future of philanthropy

→ How financial literacy unlocks confidence, power, and purpose

→ Why emotional connection and community drive women’s giving more than prestige

→ The rise of giving circles and how they amplify both impact and relationships

→ Why you are already a philanthropist, whether you realize it or not

Hope shares stories, stats, and straight talk that prove philanthropy isn’t just for billionaires. It’s about heart, humanity, and making a difference at any level.

If you’ve ever thought “I don’t give enough to matter,” this episode will change your mind.

About Our Guest

Hope Gallagher Ogletree is the Senior Director of Development at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and head of Fordham’s Women’s Philanthropy Initiatives. She’s the driving force behind the university’s Women’s Philanthropy Summit and its first giving circles, initiatives that have reshaped how women connect with and contribute to meaningful causes. With more than a decade of experience in advancement, Hope is known for her strategic vision, warmth, and ability to build lasting philanthropic communities.

Connect with Hope on LinkedIn: Hope Ogletree

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Philanthropy and Financial Literacy

03:00 - The Journey into Philanthropy

05:51 - Women and Wealth Transfer

08:51 - Understanding Women’s Giving Patterns

12:07 - The Emotional Connection to Philanthropy

15:10 - The Role of Giving Circles

18:00 - Building Community through Philanthropy

21:06 - The Importance of Inclusivity in Philanthropy

23:54 - Trust and Relationship Building in Philanthropy

27:02 - Redefining Philanthropy for Women

29:46 - Advice for Aspiring Philanthropists

33:12 - Career Advice and Personal Growth

35:59 - Final Thoughts on Purpose and Giving

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What happens when ambition collides with burnout?

In this powerful episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, I sit down with Katie McDonald, founder of b.nourished, professional speaker, and creator of the b.nourished Planner, to get real about why self-care is the most radical (and responsible) leadership act you can take.

We talk about:

→ Katie’s crash-and-burn journey from corporate exec to wellness entrepreneur

→ Why “overwhelm” is a habit, not a badge of honor

→ How to replace numbing behaviors with nourishing ones

→ The unapologetic power of saying “no” (and meaning it)

→ Why leaders must model self-care if they expect their teams to thrive

Katie doesn’t sugarcoat it: neglecting yourself isn’t sustainable. This is a tough-love, truth-telling roadmap for high achievers who are done sacrificing their wellbeing for success.

Special offer:

Katie is generously offering listeners 15% off her b.nourished Planner with promo code MONIQUE15 at checkout. (No affiliate cut—just a gift for our community.)

About Our GuestKatie McDonald is the founder of b.nourished, a concierge coaching company for high-achieving women who take care of business at the expense of taking care of themselves. A professional speaker, author, and “recovering perfectionist,” Katie has been trusted by Harvard University, Fidelity Investments, Facebook, the Women Presidents’ Organization, Stanley Black & Decker, and more.

Her obsession with daily planners since age six eventually led to the creation of the b.nourished Planner in 2020, now used by doers worldwide to reclaim their time, energy, and sanity.

Katie has been featured in HuffPost, Dwell, Apartment Therapy, and is the author of an upcoming Audible Originals course (Jan 2026). She survived an IRA bombing, the San Francisco earthquake, and even a ferry rescue, but it was a Zen meditation retreat that finally stopped her in her tracks and set her on the path of radical self-care.

Learn more at b.nourished.com and connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

Chapters

00:00 - Meet Katie McDonald

02:18 - From corporate success to rock-bottom crash

04:44 - The difference between numbing and self-soothing

07:00 - Perfectionism as a survival strategy

09:50 - Why “overwhelm” is a habit

13:30 - Micro-decisions, compound effects & daily rituals

21:51 - Boundaries: “No” is a complete sentence

32:52 - Making integrity-based decisions

36:44 - Repairing your relationship with food

39:57 - The one question to ask daily: “What do I need?”

44:19 - Career advice & speaking to your 30-year-old self

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Book Monique as a speaker for your next event: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact

Grab her bestselling book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G

What does it really take to find your voice, and then have the guts to use it?

In this bold, funny, and refreshingly honest episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, Monique sits down with Mary Hope (M.H.) McQuiston, author of Finding Your Voice, to unpack what it means to stop self-silencing and finally say the thing that’s been stuck in your throat.

We cover:

→ Why so many women hold back from speaking up (and how to stop)

→ The messy truth about creativity, fear, and imperfection

→ Why vulnerability is your secret weapon, not your weakness

→ How reclaiming your voice can transform your work, your relationships, and your life

This conversation is equal parts pep talk and practical playbook for anyone ready to stop hiding and start being heard.

Chapters00:00 – Meet Mary Hope McQuiston

01:56 – Career journey: from history major to tech leader

10:02 – Clarity through personal values

14:14 – Spotting and seizing opportunities for growth

20:00 – Breaking barriers in corporate America

30:07 – Real talk: advice for women at work

36:00 – Reflections and leadership lessons

ABOUT OUR GUESTMary Hope (M.H.) McQuiston is a writer, speaker, and advocate for women’s voices. She is the author of Finding Your Voice and currently serves as Vice President and General Manager at Autodesk, where she has spent over 20 years leading strategy, marketing, and business development in SaaS, mobile, and cloud-based businesses.

A pragmatic visionary and strategist, M.H. is passionate about empowering women to speak up, show up, and lead—whether in boardrooms, books, or everyday conversations. She is also a member of Chief, Project 1490, and serves on the boards of the Exploratorium and SkillsUSA, helping shape the future of education, science, and leadership.

Connect with M.H. McQuiston on LinkedIn

Follow Monique for More:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquedemaio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquedemaio

Newsletter: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/newsletter-sign-up

Book Monique as a speaker for your next event: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact

Grab her bestselling book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G