Member Spotlight: Fielding Williams
Hear from our very own Fielding Williams about what she’s most excited for in her retirement!
Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you?
Born and raised in North Carolina, my barefoot childhood was spent roaming free in Beaufort, pedaling my yellow banana seat Schwinn and hiding in the aisles of the public library with my nose in a book. I attended UNC-Chapel Hill as a studio art major, and after graduation, I dabbled in interior design, worked at my father’s feed and seed hardware store, sold fine antiques, and worked at a bank. During that time, I married, moved from Chapel Hill to Greensboro to Charlotte, and had three sons. I spent nine years as a preschool art teacher sharing my love of art and history with three to five year olds. There were always side hustles, and one, The Scone Shop, turned into a full-blown ready-to-bake frozen scone business that took me from NC to Georgia in Whole Food Markets, independent gourmet food stores, and more, offering store tastings. When the time came to close that door, Women’s Impact Fund appeared. And what a joy it has been to share my time with so many interested in philanthropy in Charlotte. It has filled my heart and challenged me to look more deeply and lean into the nonprofit world, which I now understand to be the underpinning of every city.
What makes our purpose or mission meaningful to you?
Collectively searching for and compassionately understanding new ways to support nonprofit partners is humbling and hopeful as new leaders emerge to promote their local community needs. Partnering without overshadowing these leaders creates genuine relationships that are more productive and impactful. I am proud to be a part of an organization that values others over self.
What energizes/ motivates you? It can be anything from a quotation, a song, a person, a workout routine, etc.
My father’s curiosity and exploration of the natural world placed me in beautiful surroundings with a deep appreciation of the smallest creatures to the towering, shadowed trees. Every person and thing interconnects, weaving color and meaning into our world. We all play a part, sometimes in repairing dark and broken areas and sometimes in appreciating the fabric.
What are you the most excited about for this year?
Did you hear I was retiring? I am pretty jazzed to spend more time in the garden, to gently cast a fly into a shady watery bend, to hike new trails with my sweet husband, and to find quiet moments to recenter or reconnect with myself and family.
Advice to make the most out of your Women’s Impact Fund membership?
Go to events, meet new folks, join a committee, and follow up with coffee or lunch to get to know members better. We are so aligned within philanthropy and giving back that finding time to dig into that with others can create those lasting, meaningful relationships we all crave. The gift of working for WIF has been the chance to meet and work on committees with so many of you. There’s no way I could have found all of you in my neighborhood walks or over sips at the coffee shop. You, the members, are a true gift to me, and I am so grateful for your kindness and friendship.
What is your favorite restaurant or activity in Charlotte?
If you haven’t been to Seemingly Overzealous, my favorite non-dairy “ice cream” shop, then I hope to see you there in the future! The resources around Charlotte are amazing! The Whitewater Center, live music, tasty restaurants, walking along greenways, festivals, musicals, and of course, free books from the public library. Charlotte is a gem with many facets, and all we need to do is turn and shift it to find connections with new friends, new experiences, and adventure. Hope to see you out and about on my adventures or back at WIF in the fall when I return as a member.
