Meet the Caring Hearts Behind Our Legacy Coaching
William Summey brings more than three decades of experience as an educator, mentor, and leader to his role as Legacy Coach. His journey spans over twenty years of teaching at both middle school and university levels, alongside two decades in educational publishing, where he became known for making learning relevant, practical, and deeply human.
Holding a B.A. in History with Social Studies Teaching Certification from Furman University, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Religion & Personality from Vanderbilt University, William has also served for two decades on the faculty of Belmont University’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry. His academic background, combined with his life-long commitment to guiding others, gives him a unique ability to help learners explore meaning, purpose, and legacy with wisdom and compassion.
Beyond the classroom, William lives his values through service. He teaches Sunday School, serves as a Deacon in his church, and is devoted to his family and community. These experiences reflect his belief that true legacy is shaped not only by knowledge but by the everyday acts of love, generosity, and faithfulness that impact others.
At Aspire to Give®, William describes his calling in simple terms: “I’m here to help people at life’s crossroads, using my belief in the importance of purpose and legacy. Coaching is more than guidance; it’s about empowering people to reach their highest potential and create a lasting impact.”
In the Compose Your Legacy course, William walks alongside participants as a trusted guide—helping them reflect on their stories, clarify their values, and design legacies that inspire hope for generations to come.
Valerie Doebler, the Academy's Director of Coaching, brings more than thirty years of wisdom in education and personal guidance to her role as a legacy coach. Her career has spanned classroom teaching to Assistant Director of Exceptional Education, where she guided both students and adults through complex challenges and life transitions with compassion, patience, and clarity.
Valerie holds a B.S. in Special Education from James Madison University and a Master’s in Public School Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also certified as a Mentor for Education for Ministry (EFM) through Sewanee, The University of the South, and as a Master Gardener from the Virginia Tech Extension Program—credentials that reflect her lifelong commitment to growth, learning, and nurturing both people and communities.
As a mother, grandmother, and volunteer, Valerie understands the importance of love, legacy, and giving back. She brings not only professional expertise but also a personal calling to help others compose legacies that are rich with meaning and grounded in love. Valerie says: “I didn’t get through these transitions on my own. There were many helpers along the way. Each provided support, guidance, and love. I want, I can, and I am called to give back. What better way to do that than through Aspire to Give® Academy?”
In the Compose Your Legacy course, Valerie embodies that spirit of giving. She serves as a caring guide who helps learners discover the stories, values, and acts of love that will shape their enduring legacy for generations to come.
Our Mission
Aspire to Give Academy empowers adults at life’s pivotal moments to make wise choices, rise above challenges, and thrive through change. We inspire them to lead themselves with purpose, give with intention, and embrace lifelong learning.
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Cohort Learning
(Group of 5-10 Learners)
Cohort (Group) learning is the favored approach for adults, often provided by employers, foundations, and government organizations for workforce development, team-building, and professional growth. It combines three effective learning methods:
1. Discovering yourself
2. Learning with peers
3. Guidance from a success coach
This structure helps individuals gain personal insights, collaborate with others, and receive coaching in a supportive environment that fosters growth, encourages teamwork, and develops essential life skills for success.
Community Learning Groups
Peer learners, united by a common life transition, learn and support each other through shared experiences, empathetic engagement, and collective problem-solving. Community groups include veterans, young adults, recovering singles, and other common interest groups.
Lesson Exercises
Every course lesson includes a learning activity tailored to spark questions, foster reflection, and stimulate personal growth.
Success Coaches
Each cohort (group) of 8-15 learners is guided by an experienced, highly qualified Success Coach who serves as a mentor and resource. The Success Coach meets virtually with the group multiple times to enhance learning, guide learners, and answer learner questions.
Veterans Transition Empowerment Program
(V-TEP)
The V-TEP program of two bundled courses empowers veterans to chart their own unique path as they transition to civilian life. Join a supportive cohort led by an experienced coach, where veterans learn, share, and navigate the road to successful transition.
Four Pillars of Learning
The Academy’s innovative, inquiry-based curriculum centers on four key learning pillars:
1. Personal - tailored to the learner.
2. Positive - uplifting & supportive..
3. Probing - questions spark learning.
4. Practical - applicable to real-life.
Five Beliefs
1. Appreciate individuality
2. Give sincerely
3. Practice intentional generosity
4. Live with purpose
5. Choose wisely at life's junctures
Smart Goal Setting
Establishing specific, realistic, measurable goals in personal, family, career, and financial areas is crucial for navigating life transitions effectively. It creates clear guidelines for success during periods of change to craft your best life.
Coming Soon!
Digital Downloads
Each of the four courses of the series includes digital downloads of articles, research, references, and checklists that supplement the course video, workbook exercises, and cohort peer learning.
Crossword Puzzles
In addition to lesson exercises, each course includes 4 crossword puzzles as a fun way to learn the terminology. Being fluent in conversation with peers, coaches, mentors, and professional advisors is essential for successfully navigating life transitions.
Coming Soon!
Blog
Previous and new blog posts will enhance course and workbook content, equipping learners with extra references and resources on cutting-edge topics like the philanthropic frontier, effective financial generosity tools and strategies, and mastering life transitions throughout the lifespan.
Bundle #3
Legacy by Design
The Legacy by Design Program helps you give intentionally and generously to loved ones and special causes. Learn over a dozen financial giving strategies and how to avoid unintended consequences of financial generosity, evaluate nonprofit beneficiaries, and compose a legacy of love through letters capturing your aspirations, life-lessons, and values. Organize your personal affairs with this bundle, ideal for those with financial resources to share and in the sunset years of life. Legacy by Design is bundled courses #3 & #4.
Pivot to Purpose
Transition Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the two-course Pivot to Purpose Transition Program. Guided by a seasoned coach, adults navigating life transitions develop self-awareness, leadership, and renewed purpose and gain vital life skills to master life transitions.
7 Thinking Tools
In the Pathway to Purpose course, learners will enhance their decision-making skills with seven easy-to-use critical thinking tools. These tools will empower individuals to make more well-informed choices, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, comfort, and clarity.
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Success Coaching
Our Success Coaches use a Coach by the pull approach to mentor a group of 8-15 young adults, offering essential guidance, support, and resources. They hold periodic virtual group meetings and provide email support to help develop key life skills, ensuring every learner feels empowered and connected.
Meet Our Coaches
Highly trained and experienced coaches will lead the various life transition cohort groups, including military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Coaching profiles will be available on the Academy's website.
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
We embrace an educational philosophy anchored in Reciprocal Benevolence, where learning flourishes as a natural outcome of mutual kindness and support:
- Seek with an open heart, and you shall discover knowledge.
- Ask with caring curiosity, and wisdom will be imparted to you.
- Give generously, and in return, gain deeper insights.
- Do share the kindness, empathy, and respect you desire.
We nurture wisdom through caring questions, deliberate generosity, and thoughtful kindness.