Charleston Business Journal 2011
Charlie Magazine 2017
I’ve come to know that there are three things about Becca that will unfailingly remain true.
One is that she is the starting point for visions that make communities better. Many people see issues and many people wish for solutions. Becca doesn’t wish. She sees the way it could be, she sees the path to get there, and she sees who needs to be on the journey with her.
The second is that she is a transformational leader. She doesn’t work within the status quo, and she isn’t confined by what others see as the usual way or what they see as possible or impossible. Becca works to transform situations to be better and challenges others to transform their own ways of thinking or working to get better outcomes.
The third is that what are roadblocks for other people are not on her radar. For Becca, goals—or visions—are made to be achieved. Problems have solutions. Challenges can be overcome.
There isn’t anything that can be put in Becca’s path to her vision that she can’t find a way over, around, or through, and that commitment is the standard to which she inspires other in the community to strive.
Heather McDonald, College of Charleston
Becca has been an employee, client and is now a consultant. We've worked together for over 10 years on various projects. If you're reading this and planning a project, event in or around music and creatives, Becca's your person. Not only has she worked with me, but also my wife. She's the one we go to. Her background is perfect for that style of project and she checks all of the boxes.
Truly one of the best and most trusted people I work with. We all want good people, but especially results. Becca gets it. She ran ops for me, booked video crews and shoots, lead street teams of volunteers for creative projects and managed million dollar budgets.
Currently, with a highly millennial workforce, I needed someone to come in and team build while focusing on culture. Not because I wanted to, but I needed to, so we could retain employees, which is a current challenge in today's work environment. If you've ever watched the show "Billions" on Showtime, their in house life coach is what I patterned her position after.
Becca knows who she works for and does a great job of advocating for your people while changing culture, getting them on your team and motivating them to buy in to get the project done.
Becca's Operations, HR, chief cheerleader and cat wrangler. She's always got a position on my team. She knows how to get the job done and will watch your bottom line. Her loyalty is priceless. You just need to trust her.
I hire and fire lots of people. Stop looking if you're talking to Becca. Get her on the team today.
Shawn Moffatt, Managing Partner Go To Team
I have known Becca Finley for 10 years. She was introduced to me by a mutual friend as a “community-building musical genius,” which at the time I was hesitant to believe. But after our initial interaction, I knew that she not only had similar ideas as mine, but that she was far and beyond, a true visionary.
Becca has always built community – through music, and that is where we collided. I had the venue and she had the vision. From 2012 – 2019, The Royal American has helped produce SEVEN of Becca’s visions: Eclectic Evenings (7 Seasons), Balcony TV, Bridge Run Charleston, TIN Kids, BandSwap, CHARM, and The Lyric Lounge. All of which have been huge successes.
I have personally seen the tremendous benefit these programs have bought to children and to music lovers alike. I have seen lives changed by the programs Becca has initiated and brought to our youth.
People like Becca don’t come along very often…and when they do, it is our responsibility, as venue owners, as politicians, as citizens with a platform, to embrace these individuals and their ideas, and allow them to help us grow and sustain our communities.
John Kenney, The Royal American
I am so grateful for my relationship with Rebecca “Becca” Finley. I first met Becca two years ago when she was coordinating a regional fundraising event called LowCountry Giving Day. She easily transitioned between different stakeholder groups — nonprofit leaders, funders, volunteers, donors, and corporate leaders. It developed into a can’t-miss event for nonprofit organizations.
Becca was deliberative and inclusive in every step of the process. She recruited a team of students with an interest in media to conduct interviews with each nonprofit leader. She guided the students to develop thoughtful and probing questions to help the student get to the core issues and each nonprofit targeted. Most importantly, she ensured that the environment felt warm, nurturing, and supportive for both the student interviewer and the interviewee.
I am a nonprofit professional with 30+ years experience in the Charleston, SC community. It is known to be a challenging community in which to become an insider. But not for Becca. Although not a native Charlestonian, her earnest and vibrant personality opened doors and her open and willing demeanor engendered trust in a group that can be hesitant to welcome someone “from off”. But it is her ability to truly listen, to genuinely want to know people and understand what got them to where they are and why they are headed in a specific direction that drives her biggest success.
I highly recommend Becca to any community that wants to really see, to know, the people and projects in their community who are knitted together, sometimes loosely and other times almost incestuously, to effect long term sustained improvement to quality of life.
Shelli Quenega, Palmetto Project
Becca Finley is an exceptionally talented event producer, marketing professional and community engagement specialist. Having worked with Becca first hand on several community events, I've observed first hand her leadership skills. Effective leadership can be elusive, and Becca artfully masters being decisive while thoroughly managing personalities and details.
Becca's experience of and with the world is extremely mindful. It's a buzz word for many, but Becca embodies the quest for understanding of one's self, of others and the world around us. She has spent a great deal of her professional life working with young people. I think it has informed the way she leads: she gives feedback and critique with a mind towards teaching and guiding, all while getting the job done succinctly.
I finally had the opportunity to work alongside Becca for three seasons while co-producing the Charleston-edition of the "Listen to Your Mother" program, a nation-wide storytelling production around the theme of motherhood. Through this experience, I learned a lot from Becca. First, Becca rallied people from around the community who would not otherwise have participated in the production. She's committed to amplifying marginalized voices and recognizes how profoundly important they are. Through the auditioning process, she had to deliver the "no's" to the storytellers not cast, and she did it masterfully. She oversaw every aspect of the performance from crafting the order of the pieces to securing venues and ticket sales to day-of operations.
She makes it look easy. It's really a pleasure to work with and learn from Becca and I have all the confidence in her capabilities to do whatever she sets out to achieve.
Jennifer Buddin, Pres Little Black Book
I’ve known Becca for about five years and have worked with her in a number of scenarios that involved community building, centered around the arts, youth outreach and healthcare. Becca is a visionary, she’s not afraid to think big and works hard to bring her ideas to life.
She’s great with people, and community oriented. I’ve seen and experienced the positive outcomes that have come from her vision and hard work.For the last (4 I think? Is it more now) years I have been a participant in CHARM (Charleston Health Alliance for Regional Musicians). CHARM is a program with the goal of helping local musicians find access to health insurance, by helping navigate the insurance marketplace and by subsidizing monthly premiums.
As a full time touring musician, CHARM has been a huge help bringing peace of mind to my life. When I was starting out I couldn’t afford healthcare and also was intimidated by the marketplace so I was just uninsured. CHARM helped me become insured and gave me the peace of mind that if I needed to see a doctor, on tour or at home, I could.I still participate in the CHARM program and with a wife and our first child on the way, it’s still a big help for me to offset some of the costs of healthcare and continue to be able to create and do my job with one less thing to stress over.
CHARM was Becca’s vision and I’ve seen her bring it to life, I’ve benefited from her vision and community oriented work ethic. Now CHARM has grown and there are a number of people in our local music community who are currently being helped, and I know these people, I know what it means to them.
It brings them the same peace of mind that I found, as a younger struggling artist. Becca helped put me in a position to succeed.
Justin Osborne, SUSTO
I have worked with Becca on a plethora of projects and events over the past four years and they have all been fulfilling and enjoyable experiences. Her vision and hard work are inspiring. I have never seen anyone accomplish so much with such a small budget or limited resources. No challenge is too much because every goal and task is for the betterment of others.
Our relationship first began when my startup became a sponsor for Becca’s music non-profit. We decided to join Becca because she showed us the sort of impact we could accomplish in our community with her leadership and help.
I am very happy to say that I am now on the board for the same non-profit, and am continuing to work with Becca because she has encouraged and pushed me to better myself in order to better our community. Her vision of how we can create a more vibrant and thriving community has inspired many to follow a similar path.
Whenever she needs help, people come because they believe in her and what she will do. They believe in her vision and they believe in what she can do.
Adam Helms, GigDawg
It takes a lot to put passion into action, and bring a vision to reality. Becca has always been someone I've looked up to that knows how to do just that. Regardless of the medium to reach people, whether it be music or media or events, I believe what's special about Becca is her ability to bring people together to collectively rally around a purpose that's unique and true to her goal.
Becca invests her time in their success, and I continue to be impressed by her passion for the people she surrounds herself with personally and professionally.
I met Becca during my first internship early on during college. I was hoping to just gain an understanding of the business world and make a few connections. Fortunately I left with a lifelong friend and mentor. From working directly together to bouncing ideas off of each other in our own work, we've always found a way to connect as we've growth in our own paths.
As I've worked through developing my career and navigating various chapters of life, Becca has always been a go-to for support, honest feedback and fresh perspective. We share a passion for connecting with people and celebrating unique qualities. What impresses me is Becca's ability to lead people through the journey that is bringing vision to life. It takes determination, grit and great people.
She can be both the big idea thinker to inspire, and isn't hesitant to roll up her sleeves to teach others and get things done. She inspires, connects and delivers. Anyone would be lucky to partner with Becca.
TJ Weaver, Playwright/ Director
Rebecca Finley is by far the most engaging human I’ve ever worked with. She is someone who sees beyond the landscape and into the stratosphere for ideas. I feel she’s one of those special individuals that turns everything she touches into gold. If only more communities had someone like this to unite them, fight for them and show what true compassion is.
Rebecca can do anything she sets her mind to. Anything and everything.
We met while working as producers for BalconyTV a few years ago. I recall an instant creative connection that has more than flourished throughout our years as friends and collaborators. I’ve seen her take a small project and turn into a well established event that brings an entire community together. We jump on calls every few months, I always walk away feeling energized and motivated to take on bigger projects.
When I get stuck, she’s my lifeline in breaking things down and helping me get out of my own way. Honestly, I’d call her the life coach I never hired. When I have new ideas, I trust that I can ask her for honest opinion. She’s the one I’d want on my team.
Barbara Garrett, Executive Producer for Underwater Sunshine Festival
It takes a lot to put passion into action, and bring a vision to reality. Becca has always been someone I've looked up to that knows how to do just that. Regardless of the medium to reach people, whether it be music or media or events, I believe what's special about Becca is her ability to bring people together to collectively rally around a purpose that's unique and true to her goal.
Becca invests her time in their success, and I continue to be impressed by her passion for the people she surrounds herself with personally and professionally.
I met Becca during my first internship early on during college. I was hoping to just gain an understanding of the business world and make a few connections. Fortunately I left with a lifelong friend and mentor.
From working directly together to bouncing ideas off of each other in our own work, we've always found a way to connect as we've growth in our own paths. As I've worked through developing my career and navigating various chapters of life, Becca has always been a go-to for support, honest feedback and fresh perspective. We share a passion for connecting with people and celebrating unique qualities.
What impresses me is Becca's ability to lead people through the journey that is bringing vision to life. It takes determination, grit and great people. She can be both the big idea thinker to inspire, and isn't hesitant to roll up her sleeves to teach others and get things done.
She inspires, connects and delivers. Anyone would be lucky to partner with Becca.
Matthew Becker, Digital Loews
I had the pleasure to work with Becca Finley for a number of years, while she served as Executive Director for the Collective FORCE Foundation. She was tasked with not only shaping who we would become, but literally defining our role in service, establishing our programs, creating our mission, and handling all execution. I trusted her, gave her full autonomy in all decisions, and it was the best decision I could have ever made.It would be impossible to count the lives
Becca and her team impacted while running the Foundation, but over 18 months she developed, organized, and launched a service biased non-profit awareness elevation program called “It Start’s With One” impacting 12 different local nonprofits one by one. Her time with my Foundation culminated in her throwing the first ever on location Lowcountry Giving Day Event. Thrown by Becca and her team of 7 staff and over 100 volunteers, Lowcountry Giving Day was held in Charleston Riverdog’s Stadium, included 144 different local non profits covering 8 specific charitable outreach categories with organizations serving in 17 different counties in South Carolina.
The event was the largest gathering of non-profits in the history of Charleston! Included in the event were the performances of over 22 bands, covering 4 stages, and a 4 act comedian showcase. This free awareness event, which gave hundreds of thousands of community members exposure to local non-profits in a unique hands-on way, was an undertaking the likes of which the community had never seen.
Becca’s vision, commitment to purposeful action, and ability to execute are unmatched. My only regret is that we were not able to hold onto her talents for longer.
Bill Sandvig, Momentum Mortagage
Why I love Becca, ahhh...for so many reasons. I stumbled upon an internship for a music magazine (the, in my opinion, prestigious “The Music Initiative magazine”) while attending Trident Technical College for Digital Media, and was completely accepted with open arms, even though I didn’t have experience as a full-time designer.
Her appreciation for my opinions and ideas as a designer made me feel as though I could unabashedly create and push myself beyond what school could teach.
We endeavored through so many projects with “The Music Initiative”, including the SEC tour with a huge sponsor (Palmetto Cheese) and many local events to celebrate musicians’ vision and creativity.
But my personal favorite was, and is, her determination to provide runners of the Cooper River Bridge Run, one of the top marathons in the entire country, an opportunity to put away their iPods and listen to live music throughout the entire race route. There is an incredible energy on race day — naturally so — but seeing runners push themselves physically, and still being able to jam along to live music along the way elevates their experience and makes it worthwhile and special.
In short, Becca is a visionary and a creative, through and through — this is what she was born to do. She has always given me a chance to be creative, even pushed me out of my comfort zone at times, and challenged me in ways that are unobtrusive, but instead presented as growth opportunities (even when I didn’t know I needed it).
Thank you, Becca, for seeing something in me, and I’m glad we have collaborated on many projects together over the years — I’ve had a lot of fun, and here’s to many more!
Joel Travis, Charleston Business Journal
Becca's has a unique style and creativity to really engage others around her to participate in community projects and work. She empowers people to think forwardly but thoughtfully. However, working with Becca on any community project has such deeper meaning because she promotes a learning environment and it becomes a learning experience for all levels of experience and ages. As she juggles the experience for others, she continues to manage and complete projects successfully.
This is one of many reasons that Becca is continuously asked to lead community projects and initiatives.
Becca's work is deliberate and valuable. From projects to discuss gun violence in schools to community theater projects, Becca's work has strong and powerful impacts on her community. Because of the trust and amazing work that Becca has developed in Charleston, community members are always willing to work with her on future projects. People love working with Becca! Whenever she engages you in projects, you know it will be a challenge but with great rewards. The reward is building a better and stronger community. Becca's work makes that happen.
Becca believes in the power of community. Before I met her in person, her name was continuously mentioned as a person to connect with when doing any type of community project or initiative. She is a strong influential force in Charleston.
Charleston is a mid-sized town and difficult area to create collaboration and connection. Becca has somehow figured out how to bridge the gap of this difficult connection. She uses innovative thoughts and ideas to encourage people to talk to one another, learn from experiences and drives them to collaborate for a single purpose.
Becca has been the leading force on creating a musical presence at the Cooper River Bridge Run. This is one of the largest races in the United States with both national and international presence. Her idea was to expand the race to host a multitude of arts that showcases the personality of Charleston. This was extremely innovative and different for those who managed the race. Through hard work, collaboration, partnerships, hard work and determination, Becca has helped raised the experience for the 40k people who come to experience the Copper River Bridge Run. This race is more than a run, it is a massive community undertaking that brings a huge amount of attention to Charleston. Becca's enhancement to the race is one of the reasons for its massive success.
From races to community activism, Becca is somewhere involved. However, what makes Becca such a success is her commitment and visions to make Charleston the best of communities.
Missy Farkouh, The Goatery
nonprofit awareness event/ festival: raised millions, featured 140 nonprofits, 50 bands and comedians, 1200 volunteers, and 10K attendees)
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