Why one car ride opened Ann Wright’s eyes—and broke her heart
How One Woman’s Leadership and One College’s Vision Is Changing Lives in South Carolina
Ann Wright’s story didn’t begin in a boardroom or with a capital campaign. It began in a car.
Nineteen years old, full of optimism and grit, Ann was just beginning her fieldwork in social work when she was assigned to help a young couple—Rose and Danny—who were raising four children under the age of four in a tiny, impoverished town in Illinois. They had no indoor plumbing. Danny had a second-grade education, Rose an eighth. Desperate to help, Ann drove them to the health department.
It was the first time the children had ever ridden in a car—and all four got sick.
What could have been just a messy moment became a defining memory. A few weeks later, Ann returned to check in.
“How’s the birth control going?” she asked Rose.
“I’m not taking it,” Rose said simply. “Danny didn’t like me taking pills… so he’s taking them.”
That moment kindled something powerful in Ann.
“I realized the path I had chosen was going to open my eyes—and break my heart,” she said.
From Social Work to Disaster Response
That moment was the first of many where Ann bore witness to the unseen burdens families carry—and to the powerful connection between education and opportunity.
She went on to spend over three decades with the American Red Cross, serving national disaster response operations. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods—Ann saw them all up close. What stayed with her, though, wasn’t just the devastation. It was the truth that emerged in every disaster zone:
“Disasters don’t distinguish between the haves and have-nots,” she said. “But education is what separates who recovers—and who continues to struggle.”
A New Mission at Greenville Technical College
That belief led her to Greenville Technical College, where she now serves as Vice President for Advancement at the Greenville Tech Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation is changing the future for thousands of students by ensuring they don’t just enroll, but thrive.
One of her proudest accomplishments is the launch and expansion of the ASPIRE Scholars Program. Originally inspired by a successful model from the City University of New York, ASPIRE was designed to help high-need, high-potential students stay in school through personalized advising, financial support, and vital wraparound services: transportation, food assistance, child care, and more.
Stories of Transformation: Harry’s Journey
Ann has seen countless lives changed through this program, but none more unforgettable than Harry—a former student who dropped out, fell into the wrong crowd, and watched three of his closest friends die before he made the choice to try again. He re-enrolled through ASPIRE, made the Dean’s List, earned a degree in Human Services, became a motivational speaker, published two books—and now serves on the Foundation’s board.
“That’s what happens when you combine education with compassion,” Ann says. “You don’t just change one person. You change generations.”
Harnessing the Power of Storytelling: Transformation Tuesdays
Ann knows that numbers alone don’t move people—stories do.
That’s why her team launched Transformation Tuesdays, a weekly email sharing the real journeys of Greenville Tech students. Each story is short. Honest. Impactful.
And the results? Nothing short of transformational.
“When people receive them, they know exactly what to expect,” Ann explains. “They’re short, they’re sweet, and they’re powerful.”
Since launching Transformation Tuesdays:
Email open rates and click-through rates have more than doubled
Donor engagement has skyrocketed
Contributions have increased
Supporter relationships have deepened
Now, donors don’t just hear about the impact—they feel it, one story at a time.
“Ann Wright’s extraordinary leadership and decades-long impact on South Carolina’s nonprofit landscape are truly remarkable. Her unwavering dedication, bold vision, and heartfelt service have made her a catalyst for lasting change—especially through her work with the Greenville Tech Foundation. Her career is a shining example of what’s possible when compassion meets conviction.”
— Mike Snively, Foundation Board Member
Driving Workforce Development
At the same time, the Foundation continues to expand workforce initiatives like:
The Truist Culinary & Hospitality Innovation Center, which offers short-term certificate programs and job placement within 90 days.
The Center for Welding Automation Excellence, launching soon with cutting-edge AI and laser welding labs to fill high-demand trade jobs.
And most recently, the Prisma Health Center for Health & Life Sciences—a 125,000-square-foot academic facility that’s redefining healthcare education in the region.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Ann Wright leads with quiet strength and fierce compassion. Her legacy isn’t in the buildings or the job titles. It’s in the lives transformed—students like Harry. Students like me.
And now, you can be part of that legacy.
Join the Movement
Your gift to Greenville Tech Foundation helps fund programs like ASPIRE, equip labs, fuel scholarship funds, and continue storytelling initiatives like Transformation Tuesdays.
You can name a classroom. Sponsor a lab. Or simply give—because education empowers everyone.
👉 Support Greenville Tech Foundation today.
Help us build more stories of hope.
Contact Ann Wright at Ann.Wright@gvltec.edu to arrange a personal tour or learn how you can leave a lasting legacy.
About the Author:
Hailey Evans is a marketing strategist, award-winning storyteller, and passionate nonprofit advocate. With a gift for turning complex missions into compelling narratives, she helps leaders cut through the noise, connect with hearts, and drive meaningful growth. Learn more or connect with Hailey at strategiesthatstick.com.
