Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, Founder and CEO of WM Leadership & Legacy Coaching, LLC, joins Monique A.J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree is a transformational leader and innovative strategist whoseinfluence extends across higher education, sports tourism, amateur, and professional sports.With more than 30 years of leadership experience, Dr. Wicker McCree has built a distinguishedcareer as a student-athlete, coach, educator, athletics administrator, and executive leader. In2008, she made history as the first woman to hold the permanent position of Director of Athleticsat North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During her 14-year tenure, she successfullyguided NCCU’s transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I Football ChampionshipSubdivision (FCS), leading the development and implementation of the university’s firstcomprehensive strategic plan for reclassification.Under her leadership, NCCU Athletics experienced unprecedented growth and success. Thedepartment increased its operating budget from $2 million to $15 million, increased fundraisingby 65% during her final five years, and enhanced academic achievement with student-athletesachieving a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and an APR of 984. Competitive successes included fourMEAC Men’s Basketball Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, a MEACFootball Championship and Celebration Bowl appearance, and the 2014 HBCU Men’s TennisNational Championship. She also led major facility enhancements, including football stadiumrenovations, arena upgrades, and new technology investments. Her leadership experienceincludes service on the NCAA Division I Council, NCAA Research Committee, NCAA DivisionII Volleyball Committee, FCS Football Regional Ranking Committee, North Carolina SportsHall of Fame Board, Durham Sports Commission Board, and the Local Organizing Committeefor the 2029 World University Games.Today, Dr. Wicker McCree serves as Founder and CEO of WM Leadership & Legacy Coaching,LLC, helping leaders and organizations strengthen strategy, leadership capacity, andorganizational effectiveness. She also serves as Senior Associate Director at the Duke SportsSciences Institute, advancing strategic initiatives, community engagement, and innovative sportsperformance programming. A highly respected consultant and advisor, she serves as VicePresident of The PICTOR Group, President-Elect of WeCOACH, Chief Operating Officer ofAdvancing Beyond in Sports (ABIS), and as an NCAA Peer Reviewer for institutionstransitioning to Division I membership.An accomplished global ambassador for sport and education, Dr. Wicker McCree hasrepresented the United States internationally. As a member of North Carolina’s World UniversityGames Bid Committee, she presented strategic elements of the state’s bid for the 2027 WorldUniversity Games to the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in Brussels, Belgium.She also volunteered with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee during the 2024Paris Olympic Games and created international experiences for HBCU volleyball student-athletes and coaches through opportunities in Europe, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa.Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 13. Seasons 1 - 12 can be found on 200plus.expert.