Wyndham Championship Executive Women’s Day

It wasn’t simply golfers, putting greens, sand traps, bogeys, and holes-in-one during the Wyndham Championship held August 7-11 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. A day before course play, the tournament hosted an Executive Women’s Day luncheon titled “The Ripple Effect: Harnessing the Power of Partnerships” presented by Cone Health and Wyndham Rewards. This year’s event focused on how strategic alliances can ignite positive change across communities.

“Women have always played a decisive role in breaking barriers, reaching across to others and getting things done,” said Mae Douglas, Cone Health Board of Trustees Chairperson, who delivered the keynote address.

“Greensboro is a welcoming community. It has a culture and history of collaboration. And women have always played a critical role in making Greensboro so special for all of us,” she said, reflecting on notable Greensboro women like the late Bertha Cone, wife of textile magnate and philanthropist Moses Cone, whose family opened and named the city’s main hospital in his memory in 1953; the late Cynthia Doyle, who played an integral role in establishing Leadership Greensboro and the Community Foundation of Greensboro; and Shirley Frye, who led the integration of the YWCA in the 1960’s and 70’s.  

“Let’s also remember the women who paved the way for us. Let’s pay it forward by mentoring the next generation and sponsoring the rising stars,” said Douglas.

The event included a panel discussion moderated by FOX8 reporter Cindy Farmer. Topics discussed focused on healthcare system collaboration with local organizations, such as businesses joining forces for social impact. The dialogue featured success stories, lessons on effective partnership strategies, and opportunities to amplify impact.

“Our vision of having a healthy community is only possible if we work through partnerships,” said Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, Cone Health President and Chief Executive Officer, stating that the doctors’ and nurses’ skills contribute to about 20 percent of a patient’s care and treatment. The other 80 percent are categorized as ‘social determinants of health,’ such as education, housing, employment and food security.

“If we share our data, and partner with other organizations, then we can collectively begin to address that other 80 percent in ways we never thought about before,” said Cagle.

She added that investments in the broader community, particularly educational institutions, help ensure a robust workforce pipeline into the future.

April Mason, general manager of plant services with Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, noted that partnerships with the public schools’ system, county workforce development programs, and healthcare systems are essential in supporting the communities where they (Toyota) build plants.

“We partner with schools and municipalities to train people how to be maintenance technicians. We try to think of it as how we can better partner with communities. Where are the people that we’re going to hire, live? Let’s look at available healthcare in those areas as well,” said Mason.

Dr. Rosalind Dale, vice provost for Engagement and Outreach at N.C. A&T State University noted that to promote fairness and mutual benefits, one must ensure that a company’s mission aligns with your organization’s mission.

“Our mission is focused on advancing the human condition, as well as impacting the economic outlook for North Carolina,” said Dale. “One of the things that I believe is so important is to make sure that everyone is represented at the table. It’s two-fold, advocating for who’s not at the table, and then making sure they get an invitation to the table.”

Nasha McCray, assistant city manager for the City of Greensboro, said listening to the communities you serve is critical to building partnerships.

“When we think about companies relocating to this area, we have to think about the people living here. Be open and be willing to listen and learn. My advice is to seek out opportunities within your own organizations and align those with other organizations,” said McCray.

In building partnerships, impact can be made through mentorship as well.

Tracy Ripa, senior vice president of brand and Franchise Operations with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, noted that programs that offer mentorship and networking opportunities help build women executives.

“It’s something that we are responsible to do,” said Ripa. “I wouldn’t want women to have to struggle through something somebody else did when there is an opportunity for them to cut through some of that for them. It’s a win-win for everybody. We get more women in the industry and women don’t feel like they’re doing it all by themselves.”

Guilford County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Whitney Oakley noted that 83 percent of the teaching workforce is comprised of women. “13 percent of superintendents are women, which is why it’s so important to not just mentor, but to actively bring other women to the table.

“It’s not because they are not qualified to do the jobs, but because that is how the system was set up. Bring women to the table in a way that is sponsoring and enduring and begins to break down these systems that have existed for such a long time. The teachers in our classrooms need to see this, and our business leaders need to see this,” said Oakley.

Following the luncheon, attendees joined an assembly line to pack boxes of food to fill 1,600 bookbags that will go out to children across Forsyth County for the 2024-2025 school year, as part of the Forsyth Backpack Program. Providing the equivalent of 6,400 meals, each bag contains four kid-friendly, nutritious meals: individual-sized, shelf-stable milk, juice boxes, canned goods, applesauce and cereal bowls.