Phaedra Stewart ’91 B.A. (Econ) finds it difficult to look at the world without seeing opportunities to connect with people, raise their spirits and empower them to make their lives better.

A self-described serial entrepreneur (some might say a serial social entrepreneur), Stewart applies this outlook to family, career and philanthropy and says it shapes how she invests her “time, talent and treasure.” Stewart proudly has given all three to Syracuse University since the day she graduated.

“My philosophy is, if you have a dollar, you have 10 cents to share with someone,” she says, adding, “It’s not really about the amount that you’re able to give. It’s more about just giving from the heart, giving cheerfully and…understanding there’s a natural flow to life: you get out of it what you put in.”

Stewart is a Maxwell Sustainer—having donated money to the school in each of the past 10 years. In addition, she recently made a large donation toward the renovation of 119 Euclid, a dedicated space on campus that celebrates Black culture and supports all students. One of the rooms is named in honor of her generosity, despite her humble intentions. “Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought I would have my name on a room at a university,” she says.

Stewart also serves on Syracuse University’s D.C. Regional Council and regularly participates in alumni events and activities. “If I'm within driving distance of any event for Syracuse University and I'm able to attend, I will definitely attend,” she says.

Stewart, who also earned an MBA from the University of Baltimore, retired after a 25-year career in HR as vice president of human resources for LifeBridge Health, one of the largest health providers in Maryland. She oversaw HR operations for the largest hospital in the system and led workforce development, employee health, and employee and labor relations for the entire system. She is the founder and owner of Seriously Positive, a multi-faceted company with a mission to uplift individuals and neighborhoods.

Seriously Positive was born from an encounter during a family shopping trip in 2014. Stewart recalls, “My cousin was 8 years old at the time, and my son was 6. We were at the mall, and a young man had on a T-shirt with some words that I thought were not appropriate for anyone to wear in public.

“I said to the two of them ‘Hey, what if we were to put some positive messages on T-shirts and sell them so that kids would have some better messages? Why not fill their heads with positive stuff?’”

It was a family effort from the start: Stewart encouraged the kids to get involved in researching and developing the business operations. Her husband built the website. They all helped with sales, setting up shop at local events and church bazaars throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

“I was shocked at how many adults were asking for items in their sizes…and it grew to the point where we started to sell more adult products than children’s products,” she says.