The Origin Story: Celebrating 11 Years of The Dean’s List
What The Dean's List Stands For (Core Values & Mission)
Tagline: "Building your online presence to make an offline impact"
Motto: #EmpowerEveryone
Core Values: Community, wellness, escape, connection, vitality, radiance, tranquility (displayed on her Instagram), plus collaboration, celebration of diversity, and human empowerment
Mission: Empower individuals with their online brand to make offline impact — helping them feel confident and achieve their dream career
Philosophy: Collaboration over competition; breaking industry stereotypes; owning your worth; changing the world one client at a time
Vision: Build a global community of empowered women who help one another succeed, while mentoring girls ascending the career ladder to get more than 5% of female CEOs into the Fortune 500
Inclusivity: Uplift and empower clients regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or background
The Origin Story
In 2015, Meredith wanted to combine her passions for branding, tech, design, storytelling, coaching young professionals, her family's nonprofit in Western Kenya, and empowering women. After sleepless nights of planning and web design in her tiny NYC apartment, The Dean's List was born. By 2016, TDL was incorporated and ready for clients all over the world. She started it as a side hustle while working at Levine Children's Hospital.
Her digital branding journey started young — she learned HTML to customize her MySpace profile and then created a logo, personal website, and business cards as a college freshman at the University of Georgia.
How She's Helped People (Real Examples)
Client Impact
Has helped 350+ clients worldwide level up their personal brand through online portfolios, social media coaching, career counseling, and more
High-profile clients include: Miss America, Netflix "Love Is Blind" stars, OWN actors, CNN journalists, NFL reporters, Bachelor contestants
Worked with professionals from ESPN, Twitter, CBS, AT&T, NFL, Miss America Organization, Netflix, Charlotte Hornets and more
Range from college students building personal websites to coaching television personalities on social platforms
Mentorship
Mentor to 300+ former interns and students from HBCUs, high schools, and universities nationwide
Speaker at 100+ career workshops, speeches, and panels across the country reaching 10,000+ young professionals
Services That Change Lives
Online portfolios / personal websites
Social media coaching & workshops
1:1 TikTok/IG Reels lessons
Career counseling & resume reviews
Salary negotiation help
Branding photography/headshots
Wedding & event content creation
Digital branding consulting
Key Programs & Events
Dean's List Meetups — Community networking events
Dean's List Dinners — Intimate gatherings for authentic connection
EmpowerCon — Empowerment conference
20 Under 20 Awards — Charlotte's first and only awards celebrating young achievers
TGIM Panels & IG Lives — Regular educational/inspirational programming
Mentor Match — Connecting mentors with mentees
International Retreats — Including a Kenya 2026 trip
Wingwoman Wednesday — A new series on Instagram connecting good humans looking for their forever partner (started Feb 2026)
Digital Branding Workshops — Available for companies, conferences, and events
The Kenya Connection (Proudest Accomplishment)
Her family's nonprofit, Habitat Aid Initiative, has been dedicated to alleviating poverty since 2003, building girls' schools, wells, and clinics in Western Kenya's Khwisero District. A percentage of every TDL branding package goes directly to this cause. Her proudest accomplishment: donating to help with the creation of a girls' dormitory at Khwisero Girls School in Western Kenya. This means every client who invests in their brand is also investing in girls' education in Kenya.
The 11th Birthday Celebration (February 22, 2026)
Theme: Winter block party celebrating female-owned and minority-owned businesses
Location: Kenna Kunijo in Uptown Charlotte
Vibe: "Escape the cold and chaos of the world, and gather for good"
Activities: Speed networking, Small Biz Bingo, vendors, food/drinks, champagne, complimentary curl bar
Dress Code: Light blue and white
Message: "This party is a thank you for our people" — celebrating clients, advisory board, selection committee, mentors, destination travelers, team, followers, and sponsors
Powered by: @iamcalistaphair, The Talent Fairy Godmother
Vendors included: wellness, cacao ceremonies, sunshine-themed products, hibiscus-themed brand, and more
Recent Milestones & Highlights (Past Year)
Named one of Axios Charlotte's "10 Most Influential Women" (2024)
Community grew to 10,000+ professionals
350+ clients branded worldwide
300+ interns and students mentored
100+ career workshops and panels delivered
Launched "Wingwoman Wednesday" — a new community-driven matchmaking series connecting good humans
"Men in Our Community Who Are Speaking Out" — series highlighting male allies using their platforms for advocacy
Kenya 2026 Trip announced — continuing the international retreat tradition
11th Birthday Block Party — celebrating female & minority-owned businesses in Charlotte
Continued advocacy work — using her platform for human rights, immigration awareness, and civic engagement
Wellness community events — partnering with Charlotte wellness spots like Sunday Hot Springs for pilates & plunge experiences
55.4K Instagram following with 2,632 posts and 250M+ total impressions
Wedding & event content creation added as a growing service line