Member Monday: Virginia Molan

This Monday, we are featuring Junior League of Charlotte member Virginia Molan as part of our Member Monday series. Virginia is the chair of the Alexander Youth Network committee and currently works for Wells Fargo. Read more about the Charlotte native below.

1) Thanks for taking time to share some personal insights with us today. Can you give us some background information- tell me about your family and early years?

I was born and raised in Charlotte (the few, the proud!) and am a graduate of Providence High School. I went to a small all women’s college in Virginia, Sweet Briar College, for undergrad where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Art History. I received my Masters in Architectural History from Savannah College of Art and Design.  I am currently an Undergraduate Recruiter for Wells Fargo Securities where I travel to universities throughout the country recruiting and educating students about our Investment Banking and Sales & Trading programs.

2) What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?

The best decision I made was marrying my husband! We met playing tennis when we were 12 and we went to Myers Park’s prom together our junior year of high school but didn’t start dating until after college.  If you told me I would marry him when I was in high school or college I never would have believed you!

Worst decision- This is a tough one! I have made my fair share of mistakes but I think the greatest is not taking enough risks career wise in my early twenties and always would worry about what others thought of me.

3) What woman inspires you and why?

My Grandmother.  She is a brilliant woman- graduated from Northwestern Phi Beta Kappa, raised 3 successful boys and had a wonderful career.  She is also very funny, giving and the sweetest woman you will ever meet. She is a great example of a godly woman, I admire the life she created with her husband and strive to be just like her!

4) From start to finish, what would your ideal day be like?

I love the beach so my ideal day would be spending it there! I would wake up early with a big cup of coffee, bike to the beach and spend a few hours laying in the sun.  In the afternoon I would play a round of golf with my husband and finish the day off with a glass of wine and dinner with my family.

5) What keeps you up at night?

I worry about becoming complacent and always wonder if I should be doing more.  So many questions run throughout my head at night (am I doing the best I can at my job, am I being the best wife, daughter, friend etc.?)

6) If you could tell your 23-year-old self one thing what would it be?

Spend as much time as you can with the ones you love! I lost my mother unexpectedly this year and time with family and friends has become my first priority. I would also tell myself that one day you will marry Brendan (see best decision I ever made)!

7) One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I have a passion for historic preservation and historic architecture, particularly in the American South.  I think I could fill a whole room with all the books I have on the subject.  I interned with Historic Augusta INC. in Augusta, Georgia while in grad school and spent a lot of time in Savannah studying its architecture.

8) How has the Junior League helped you develop your potential, taught you something unique, and/or given you an opportunity that you never would have had otherwise?

I am currently the chair of the Alexander Youth Network and I would have never known it existed had it not been for the League! AYN provides professional treatment to children with serious emotional and behavioral problems. Mental Health has become a huge passion of mine and I have gotten involved outside of the League with Alexander Youth Network’s Young Affiliates and will be a new board member this coming year.

Written by Marielle Harris