By Dedria Cruden



The WIP 2025-27 strategic plan has been drafted, and now the critical phase of implementation begins. Success hinges on a commitment to: 

• Communicating to all stakeholders 
• Prioritizing and allocating resources 
• Assigning accountability 
• Analyzing results and adapting to change 

The initial step in stakeholder communication was a webinar held on April 29, where the strategic planning team presented the plan and discussed its potential impact. Members are able to access the webinar by clicking here.

The next crucial step involved forming teams to address the six established goals. The following teams have been assembled: 

Goal 1: Increase funding for grants, outreach, and education initiatives 

Lesley Gilbert leads this team, with members Lynda Kaplan, Liz Castrillon, Becky Hauk, Liz Clist, and Dedria Cruden. The team is actively seeking additional members, particularly those with expertise in planned giving and major gift campaigns. Interested members can contact Lesley at lch1687@aol.com. Strategies to receive initial attention are increasing the average contribution per member and working with the Grants Committee and the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to test the feasibility of a special campaign to address a specific community need. 

Goals 2 & 3: Increase membership to 250 by July 2027 and Increase member participation 

Kaye Black and Margaret McManus are co-leads for these goals and team members include Dee Colello, Cindy Drankoski, Martha Fortson, Myriam Mackey, Linda Mikkelson, Peaches Peterson, Cindy Smith and Dedria Cruden. WIP members interested in joining this team should contact Kaye or Margaret at kblackhhi@gmail.com or sandcrab1960@gmail.com. At the kickoff meeting on June 3 the team will determine action steps for each strategy, determine timelines for action steps, and establish metrics to measure progress. 

Goal 4: Develop a comprehensive communication plan 

Gigi Maxfield and Vicki Olson are co-leads for this goal and are seeking women with social media skills and fresh ideas for reaching diverse groups of women across the Lowcountry to join them. Interested members can contact them at gigimaxfield@hotmail.com or olsonvicki12@gmail.com. Their first priority will be updating WIP’s marketing materials and website—especially streamlining the process for joining WIP online. They also plan to invite members to contribute content suggestions for the newsletter and welcome thoughtful ideas that highlight WIP’s community impact, involvement, and inspiration.  

Goals 5 & 6: Develop a comprehensive education plan on philanthropy and community issues and Develop a WIP youth philanthropy committee to educate young women about community issues and the role of philanthropic organizations 

Pamela Stone leads these combined goals, supported by Colleen Beach, Mary Noonan, Carole Galli and Janet Porter. The team welcomes additional WIP members, especially those with backgrounds in adult education, evaluation, philanthropic giving tools, and youth/young adult programming. Pamela can be reached at pamelastoneglobal@gmail.com.  

Each team has a kickoff meeting scheduled during the next few weeks. Over the summer, teams will research best practices from other philanthropic organizations to ensure they are well-prepared to "hit the ground running" this fall. Stay tuned for more updates! 

It doesn’t take long on Hilton Head Island to discover there is much more to this island paradise than sun, sand and sea. Beyond its natural beauty there is golf, tennis, classic cars and a very vibrant arts community home to South Carolina’s largest professional producing theatre and the state’s third-largest arts organization, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

On April 24, 22 WIP members and guests attended a soft opening of the Arts Center’s production of the musical Waitress and on May 6, a dozen of us saw firsthand how the magic is made when we were given a backstage tour.

Unlike a touring production that rolls in with a semi-truck, unloads sets, scenery, costumes, and cast, and occupies a local theatre for a brief run, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina builds each production from the ground up. After securing the rights and paying royalties, the team begins the meticulous process of creating the vision—hiring a producer, director, set and costume designers, choreographer, and holding auditions for cast members and pit musicians.

Prioritizing local talent for every role is central to the Arts Center’s mission. Naturally, this process begins months, sometimes even years in advance of opening night. For nearly 30 years, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina has brought outstanding live theatre to the heart of the Lowcountry, enriching the community with exceptional performances and cultural experiences.

Through partnerships and collaborations, the Arts Center also provides a wide variety of enrichment and educational opportunities for teachers and students in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Those of you looking for activities for visiting grandchildren might want to check out their summer camp offerings.

The Arts Center plays a vital role in sustaining and enriching the arts on Hilton Head Island. As Women in Philanthropy members, we proudly support a wide range of organizations that serve the underserved—and as individual philanthropists, we thank you for also remembering the arts in your personal giving. Your support helps keep creativity, culture, and community at the heart of the Lowcountry.

Women in Philanthropy's updated Operating Guidelines were approved on May 31 and the document is available for all members to read.

The Operating Guidelines includes information about the structure of the Advisory Board and Committees, Membership, Grantmaking, Finances, and much more. To read WIP's Operating Guidelines, Click Here.

The WIP Nominating Committee presents the following slate of members to serve on the 2025-26 WIP Advisory Board. Our Operating Guidelines call for membership approval of the Advisory Board. Thanks to those WIP members who have agreed to serve on the Advisory Board, and to the Nominating Committee members - Mary-Stuart Alderman, Dedria Cruden, and Lesley Gilbert.

Please submit your vote below at your earliest convenience. The deadline to submit your vote is June 30.

Proposed WIP Advisory Board for 2025-26:

Chair: Dedria Cruden

Vice Chair: Victoria Olson

Communications: Gigi Maxfield

Education: Pamela Stone

Events: Stephanie Santos

Finance: Liz Castrillon

Governance: Mary-Stuart Alderman

Grants: Lynda Kaplan

Membership: Kaye Black

Member at Large: Peaches Peterson

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mary-Stuart Alderman at 843-422-3603 or msalderman@me.com.