Heather Swindells (Clemson)
- Collegiate: Philanthropy Chairwoman and Assistant Recruitment Chairwoman
- President Charlotte NC Alumnae Chapter
What inspired you to participate in sorority recruitment? What made Gamma Phi Beta stand out to you?
I wanted to participate in sorority recruitment to help find a community in college and I wanted an experience that would provide social, leadership and volunteer opportunities. What I loved about Gamma Phi Beta was that it was not a cookie cutter organization – the chapter was filled with women from different backgrounds, different geographies, different high school and life experiences and different perspectives – and the chapter celebrated the differences by valuing who each woman was and what she contributed to the chapter. I felt like I would be loved for who I was while also encouraged to grow and develop.
Going to college on a full scholarship for undergraduate and a partial fellowship for graduate school changed my life. My scholarship and fellowship opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed and allowed me to fully focus on learning, growing and saying “yes” to leadership opportunities – including Gamma Phi Beta. Because I experienced firsthand what educational support can make possible, I believe deeply in paying that forward. Supporting the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation isn’t just philanthropy for me – it’s personal. It’s gratitude in action. I know what a scholarship can do for a woman’s future, because it did for mine.
What motivated you to become a donor of the Founders Circle Giving Society?
As a Trustee on the Foundation and Chair of the Scholarship Committee I have seen firsthand the incredible impact our generosity makes. A gift to the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation – of any size – helps create scholarships that change the trajectory of our members’ education, creates leadership programs that build confidence and character and provides support for our members when they need us the most. As a donor I am investing in the future of our beloved sisterhood.
What would you say to members who are considering donating to the Foundation, even if it’s a small amount?
When we invest in women, however small it may seem, we don’t just support one person – we strengthen families, communities and entire generations. Women who are empowered through education and leadership go on to lead organizations, build inclusive teams, create change and lift others up as they rise.
Since you’re a Founders Circle Giving Society donor, is there a Founder you resonate most with?
If so, who and why? Helen M. Dodge the “the scholar” because I consider myself a lifelong learner. I respect Helen’s focus on education, and her involvement in charitable organizations throughout her lifetime including her leaving a bequest for scholarships for members of Gamma Phi Beta.
How has Gamma Phi Beta positively impacted your life, personally or professionally?
I truly believe my Gamma Phi Beta experience – from college and continuing today – has not just complemented my professional life it has accelerated it. Gamma Phi Beta has taught me the importance of leading with empathy, clarity and integrity and those experiences prepared me to become a strong people manager. Gamma Phi Beta cultivated my confidence in stepping into difficult situations with composure and purpose. Problem solving, navigating conflict and driving outcomes are central to my work today, and those skills were first developed in the chapter room, through committees and volunteer experiences and through the deep relationships that have challenged me to grow. The skills I use to deliver results, motivate teams and move large initiatives forward were built on the foundation the sisterhood provided.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey within Gamma Phi Beta, especially as it relates to your support of the Foundation?
Gamma Phi Beta has given me role models, mentors, and friends who continue to inspire my personal and professional growth and stand with me in every season of life. I want the same for the next generation of members and my support of the Foundation helps to empower members as they pursue their own journeys.