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

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

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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’s really going on with women, weight loss, and hormones?

In this tell-it-like-it-is episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, we’re joined by board-certified OB/GYN and retreat alum Dr. Cindy Parnes, who’s spent over 30 years treating real women with real questions about their health.

We get into the nitty-gritty of hormonal imbalances, menopause myths, metabolism shifts, weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, and the truth about what’s normal vs. what you’ve been told to “just deal with.”

This is your no-BS medical primer with warmth, humor, and a whole lot of facts.

You’ll learn:

→ Why we need to stop ignoring perimenopause symptoms

→ How stress and cortisol wreak havoc on your hormones

→ What to know before trying weight loss injectables

→ The difference between lifestyle “hacks” and medical science

→ Why advocating for yourself is not optional

Whether you’re in your 30s or your 60s, this one’s for any woman trying to understand her body better and reclaim her vitality (without shame).

Listen now and get the inside dope from a doctor who actually gets it.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Dr. Cindy Parnes is a highly respected and compassionate physician who has been serving women in Bergen County, NJ for over 30 years. A Tufts University graduate and top of her class at Vanderbilt University Medical School, Dr. Parnes completed her residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, where she also served as chief resident.

She is board-certified in OB/GYN and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After years of practicing both obstetrics and gynecology, she founded the New Jersey Women’s Wellness Center in Montvale, where she focuses exclusively on comprehensive gynecological care. Dr. Parnes is known for treating the whole patient—mind, body, and soul—and for always taking the time to truly listen. For more information, go to Cindy's website at CindyParnesMD.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Book Monique for your next keynote: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact
Grab her bestselling book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G

What if your role as an entrepreneur could grow with your life—not against it?

In this special in-person episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, two entrepreneurs—Sabrina McEntee and Monique—sit down for a candid fireside chat about what it really takes to build a meaningful entrepreneurial life without burning out.

Sabrina is the founder of Build More Leads, a marketing entrepreneur, MBA grad, and mom of four. She shares what she's learned about simplicity, ambition, boundaries, and redefining success—on her own terms.

You’ll hear:

→ Why perfection isn’t the goal—impact is

→ How motherhood made her a better entrepreneur

→ The truth about balancing entrepreneurship and family

→ What Gen Z is teaching us about boldness and boundaries

→ Why choosing legacy over hustle might be the smartest move you make

🎧 Listen now to reset your definition of success—and start building something that actually fits your life.

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Sabrina McEntee

04:02 – From SAHM to MBA to Marketing CEO

09:14 – Building a Business that Aligns with Your Values

13:08 – Simplifying to Scale

17:22 – Women, Leadership & Work-Life Design

22:10 – Lessons from Gen Z

27:33 – Building Legacy Through Service

31:12 – Final Words of Wisdom

About Our Guest:

Sabrina McEntee is the founder of Build More Leads, a marketing agency focused on helping contractors, home service professionals and service-based business grow.

She understands that her clients don’t have the time, the budget or the know-how to market their business consistently. Under her direction, clients get an experienced team that will get their marketing plan into shape and deliver results so their clients can stay focused on running their business. Most importantly, she understands that relationship-building goes beyond the transactional – that adding value and having true meaning in everything she does is way more important than a working to-do list.

Sabrina married young and now has 2 grown children (Marisa and Briana, both in their early 20s) and fondly remembers going back to school for her MBA on a part time basis when they were quite young…

Some unique info about the way I work/who I am?

She loves sharing resources to solve problems. Clients trust her to always find the best possible solutions to their marketing challenges – whether the right solution aligns with our in-house service lines, those of our strategic partners, or both. Looking to connect with a resource to help build your client base? Partner with a local PR pro? You name it, she will help source the expertise you need.

Follow Sabrina McEntee:

Website: https://www.buildmoreleads.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildmoreleads/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinamcentee/

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Book Monique for your next keynote: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact

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

What if "part-time" didn’t mean part-impactful?

In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, we sit down with Elizabeth Willetts—founder of Investing in Women, champion of flexible work, and author of Flex—to challenge everything you think you know about career, confidence, and what success really looks like.

Elizabeth shares her own journey from high-billing recruiter to entrepreneur, the surprising power of part-time work, and how to stop apologizing for career gaps or pivots. We talk about perfectionism, the confidence gap, and why documenting your wins is non-negotiable.

You’ll learn:

→ Why part-time doesn’t mean part-skilled

→ How to stop hiding (and start owning) your achievements → The mindset shift that changes everything about job hunting

→ Why “just do it” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a career strategy

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career or worried you were “falling behind,” this conversation will give you the permission slip (and the push) to bet on yourself.

🎧 Listen now and start building a career on your terms.

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Elizabeth Willetts

02:50 – The Impact of COVID on Work Flexibility

06:00 – From Recruitment to Founding Investing in Women

11:52 – Employer Mindset Shifts on Part-Time

16:00 – Breaking Down the Confidence Gap

21:00 – Career Gaps & Why They Don’t Define You

23:45 – Strategic Job Searching vs. Spray-and-Pray

27:00 – The Power of Documenting Your Wins

32:00 – Embracing Authenticity in Work & Life

36:00 – Resilience, Risk & Redefining Success

About Elizabeth WillettsElizabeth Willetts is the Founder of Investing in Women—a female-empowering job board and community helping family-friendly and forward-thinking employers hire professionals looking for fulfilling flexible and part-time work.

She is an experienced recruiter with over 17 years of experience—both in-house at one of the Big 4 and at one of the UK’s largest recruitment agencies. Elizabeth is also a mum to two daughters, Emily and Annabelle (plus a Labradoodle called Dougal). She is a passionate believer in the power of part-time and flexible work to retain women in the workplace and close the gender pay gap.

Her debut book, Flex—a dynamic guide for anyone wanting to build a successful career on their terms—came out in January 2025.

• Website: https://investinginwomen.co.uk/

• Order Elizabeth’s book Flex: https://amzn.eu/d/8VpsKUK

• Sign up for her FREE CV template: Investing in Women CV Resource

• Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: Elizabeth Willetts
  

Follow Monique

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#FlexibleWork #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #InvestingInWomen #PossibilitiesPodcast #CareerConfidence

What does it really mean to be “strong”?

In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, we’re flipping the script on strength, success, and the myth of “having it all.” Emmy-winning ESPN broadcaster Jenn Hildreth and FOX Sports SVP of Talent Relations Aimee Leone sit down with Monique for a conversation that’s equal parts grit, humor, and truth.

These two powerhouse moms aren’t here to sugarcoat it—they’re here to get real about ambition, vulnerability, and the mental load women carry on and off the field.

You’ll hear:

→ How working in male-dominated fields shaped their leadership styles

→ What youth sports and parenting can teach us about perseverance

→ The truth behind burnout and breaking points

→ Why showing emotion is actually a sign of strength

→ How community helps women carry the heavy stuff

If you’ve ever felt like you were supposed to “do it all and smile through it,” this conversation will make you feel seen—and remind you that being tough doesn’t mean going it alone.

🎧 Listen now and join the huddle of strong, messy, brilliant women making it happen.

📍Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Jenn & Aimee

03:15 – Working Moms in High-Performance Roles

09:44 – Youth Sports, Pressure & Perspective

15:03 – Defining Strength on Your Own Terms

20:38 – The Power of Emotional Honesty

25:50 – Why Community Keeps Us Going

32:11 – What They Wish They Knew Sooner

37:40 – Final Words of Wisdom

About the Guests:
Aimee Leone is the SVP of Talent Relations at FOX Sports, bringing over 25 years of experience in sports media. She specializes in talent management, brand strategy, and fostering strong on-air partnerships across the network.

Jenn Hildreth is an Emmy-winning sports broadcaster and play-by-play commentator for ESPN, known for her dynamic coverage of NCAA championships and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Together, they co-host the Tough as a Mother podcast, spotlighting the real, raw stories behind ambitious women balancing it all.

🔗 Follow the guests:

Instagram: @toughasamother_pod

Website: https://www.toughasamotherpodcast.com

Follow Monique

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

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

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Get the Book on Amazon & Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G

• #WomenInSports

• #WorkingMoms

• #LeadershipForWomen

• #ToughAsAMother

What if writing a book wasn’t about being a “writer”—but about owning your voice?

In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, we’re joined by book strategist and founder of The Written Legacy, Danielle Hutchinson, for a no-BS conversation about storytelling, authorship, and the courage to go from “maybe someday” to “manuscript submitted.”

You’ll learn:

→ Why writing a book isn’t about literary perfection—it’s about leadership

→ The hidden ROI of becoming a published author (hint: it’s not just book sales)

→ Why “I don’t have time” is code for “I’m scared”

→ The difference between being an expert and being a thought leader

→ How to clarify your message and turn ideas into a real book (without ghostwriters or gimmicks)If you’ve ever said “I want to write a book someday,” this episode is your wake-up call. Your story won’t tell itself.

🎧 Listen now and start building your legacy.

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Danielle Hutchinson

02:32 – The Real Reason People Don’t Write Books

05:50 – From Editor to Entrepreneur

09:41 – What Leaders Get Wrong About “Thought Leadership”

14:20 – How the Publishing Game Has Changed

17:18 – Shifting from Doubt to Direction

22:03 – Legacy, Impact, and the Long Game

27:15 – Danielle’s Advice for First-Time Authors

31:46 – Final Thoughts on Finding Your Voice

About Danielle Hutchinson:

Danielle Hutchinson is the founder of The Written Legacy, a boutique strategy firm helping experts and executives write books that make a difference.

Known for her strategic clarity and sharp editorial eye, Danielle has guided countless leaders to move from vague ideas to books that grow influence, income, and impact.

Website: https://thewrittenlegacy.com

Instagram: @writtenlegacy

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Book Monique for your next keynote: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact

Grab her bestselling book “7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership”: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G

#womeninleadership #podcaster #femalefounders