We are so lucky to have some pretty incredible board members who work behind the scenes supporting Teal Diva and the survivors we serve. Today we hear from board President, Bridget, and learn a little bit about her and why she chose to make Teal Diva a priority in her life.
Teal Diva : Tell us a little bit about yourself
Bridget : Oh boy, talking about myself—my favorite thing! (Not.) But here goes: I’m an entrepreneur who took a leap of faith in 2021 and started my own project management and accounting company—thanks, COVID! I’ve been happily married to my awesome husband, Joe, for over 15 years, and we have an equally awesome daughter, Cheyenne. But my proudest title? BAM-ma to my grandson, Reece. Faith, Family, and friends mean the world to me—especially my very large family (50+ cousins!). You’ll spot us at Teal Diva events, where we’re the loud, fun, slightly overwhelming crew in Team 4 Claire purple shirts.
At home, chaos is guaranteed thanks to my four-legged troublemakers, MisDemeanor and Larceny. (Yes, those are their real names. Yes, my husband is a police officer.) When I’m not crunching numbers or managing projects, I’m chasing adrenaline—whether that’s running an Ultra 50K, talking friends or family into crazy workouts, or getting lost hiking on an island. A girl’s got to have fun! Very little I say no to trying at least once—except bacon. Hard pass.
TD : How did you get involved with Teal Diva?
B : My first introduction to Teal Diva was through my dear friend Claire Spence, who invited me to attend the Teal Diva 5K in Uptown Charlotte in 2019. Claire was battling ovarian cancer, and she had been given the incredible opportunity to attend a Teal Diva retreat very last minute. She came back absolutely glowing—talking about the lifelong friendships she made, the support she felt, and the pure joy of being surrounded by women who just got it. (If you haven’t seen the videos from her retreat…check out that blog!! She was the best)
I watched firsthand as Teal Diva lifted her with encouragement, sisterhood, and unwavering support throughout her courageous fight. Seeing what this organization meant to her made a lasting impact on me. Claire’s journey, and the joy Teal Diva brought her, inspired me to get involved—because every woman facing this battle deserves to feel that same love, connection, and strength.
TD : How did you decide you wanted to serve on the Board of Directors?
B : After losing Claire, I wanted to keep her spirit alive in a way that truly honored her. That’s how Team 4 Claire was born. Year after year, so many people showed up, because Claire was so dearly loved. She was pure joy and laughter, and this was my small way of keeping her memory shining. Then came lunch with Shannon. One conversation was all it took—I knew I needed to be more involved, and God brought us together for a reason. Seeing firsthand the impact Teal Diva had on Claire, and now experiencing that same sense of community myself, I realized this was exactly where I was meant to be. I may have lost my very dear friend to ovarian cancer, but through Teal Diva, I’ve gained a sisterhood of incredible women, friendships I never expected, and connections that will last a lifetime.
TD : What role do you hold currently?
B : Not sure how, I think we voted, but here I am—doing my best, as the President of the Board, which mostly means I try to keep things running smoothly, support our amazing Founder and Executive Director Shannon, and avoid breaking anything important. So far, so good… I think!
TD : What has been the most impactful thing you’ve done as a board member?
B : Without a doubt, witnessing the magic of our retreats in person has been one of the most impactful experiences. Watching these incredible women arrive nervous and uncertain and then leave as sisters is truly hard to put into words. It’s more than just a weekend; it’s a transformation. They don’t just get through it—they emerge stronger, more connected, and filled with hope. Another deeply moving experience has been seeing the impact of our Yes Girl grants. Hearing from the women who receive them and knowing our support eases some of their financial burdens, or physical projects they hadn’t been able to tackle, so they can focus on fighting reinforces just how much Teal Diva makes a difference.
TD : What is your favorite Teal Diva event?
B : This is a tough one because there’s a new contender after our Bourbon, Bubbles, and Bling Gala in November—if you haven’t been, mark your calendar for November 2025! It was an unforgettable night filled with laughter, beautiful connections, and so much fun.
However, if I had to pick just one, the Teal Diva 5K will always be my favorite. It was my first Teal Diva event, and every year since, I’ve been lucky enough to have a team that comes out to honor Claire. If you’ve ever been to a Teal Diva 5K, you may have seen Larceny, my little Frenchton, sprinting like a greyhound. She doesn’t believe in pacing herself (wonder who she gets that from?)! The 5K is always filled with so much energy and love, and it’s incredible to watch it grow each year. I always feel like Claire is there with us, cracking jokes and celebrating alongside us.
TD : Why is the Teal Diva 5k your favorite? How long have you been participating in it?
B :We’ve experienced it all—running through Uptown Charlotte, tackling trails at Hodges, dodging (and I quote) “armadillo holes”, pushing through illness, and even braving torrential downpours—but no matter what, we always leave laughing and with wonderful memories. Seeing people stepping up to volunteer, donate, attend virtually (from all over), whichmakes it even more special.
Any opportunity I get to spend time with the amazing women, and their families, I’ve met through Teal Diva is incredible, but there’s just something about the energy, love, and support at the 5K that keeps me, and my entire team, coming back year after year. Watching this event grow bigger each time, welcoming more survivors, families, and supporters, is truly inspiring. It’s a beautiful reminder that no one fights alone and a chance to honor and remember those we have lost.
TD : What’s one thing you want people to know about Teal Diva?
B : Teal Diva is so much more than an organization—it’s a much-needed sisterhood. The impact goes beyond dignity shirts, after-chemo gifts, or financial assistance. The real magic happens when women come together, realizing they’re not alone. They share advice, pray, laugh, and support each other, knowing they aren’t the first—and sadly won’t be the last.
If you’ve ever witnessed these incredible women connecting—laughing, celebrating, lifting each other up—you’d understand. You see the weight they carry every day, and in these moments, that weight lifts, even if just for a little while. It’s about finding joy in the hardest battles, forming friendships that feel like family, and knowing there’s always a tribe of women who just get it.
That’s what makes Teal Diva so special—it’s not just about surviving, it’s about thriving!
TD : Where do you see Teal Diva in the future?
B : I see Teal Diva continuing to grow, reaching even more women, and expanding our impact in ways we never thought possible. More retreats, more resources, more opportunities for women to connect and feel seen, heard, and supported. I envision a future where every woman facing a gynecologic cancer diagnosis knows she’s not alone—that she has a sisterhood ready to lift her up.
I hope to see our Yes Girl grants grow even bigger, easing the burdens of even more women so they can focus on what truly matters—fighting and healing. And of course, I see our 5K events continuing to grow, bringing together survivors, families, and supporters in even greater numbers, because awareness and community go hand in hand. Most of all, I see Teal Diva being a movement—one that not only supports those in the fight but also educates and advocates so that one day, fewer women will have to face this battle at all.
TD : What’s one thing you are looking forward to in 2025
B : In 2025, I’m beyond excited to watch Teal Diva soar to new heights, reaching even more women and making an even bigger impact. I’m hoping we’ll bring in fresh faces to our board who are ready to roll up their sleeves and help us take things to the next level. The 2025 retreat? It’s going to be unforgettable—I can already feel the magic of our sisterhood growing. On a personal note, I’m ready to take on new challenges, maybe even some wild adventures that will push me out of my comfort zone. (Anyone else up for a little adventure with me?) Here’s to 2025 being a year of growth, transformation, and making memories that will last a lifetime! Let’s do this!
