Connecting Africa’s Skilled Professionals
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Jude Smith Rachele
I was educated at....
....Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey USA where I completed my BA in Psychology. I then came to the UK to do a PhD in Psychology...long story. Most recently I finished a PhD in Business at Kingston University in London.
My first job was....
....given to me when I was 16. I delivered internal mail on the 11th floor of a major health insurance company in Newark, New Jersey, USA. My first proper job was working as a diversity management consultant. I had the chance to provide practical help and solutions to managers who had to find better ways of managing the diversity within their business. It was a great opportunity to put my love of social psychology to good business use.
What I do now is....
....far too much in one day! First and foremost I am a mother of three children and have to make sure that my kids are happy and healthy. Professionally, I am a social entrepreneur. I co-founded, with my husband, and am CEO of a cultural transformation agency called Abundant Sun Ltd. Our mission is to enable businesses and individuals to live up to their potential by living more fully their core set of human values...things like honesty, integrity, diversity, whatever they may be. We manage a lot of different creative projects that all have an ethical slant to them, and are very dedicated to ensuring that businesses and individuals are ethical in their conduct so as to safeguard everyone’s social, financial, emotional and environmental wellbeing.
I’m a social action researcher at heart and by training, so I love to get things done on the ground that help to advance social justice for all. Right now we’re working on a major campaign to close the global gender gap. It’s a big commitment. Working towards closing this gap and being successful at doing so will benefit all of humanity, the data is clear. We’re kicking things off with a charity event called Energising Women and Strengthening Societies, which is a charity event in aid of Make Every Woman Count. It’s an amazing event which will feature the UK Premiere of the film Dark Girls which Oprah premiered on her OWN television channel in June 2013.
Dr Jude Smith Rachele is the co-founder and CEO of Abundant Sun Ltd.
Originally from New Jersey, Jude has lived and worked across Europe and the Americas, and is currently managing director of Abundant Sun Ltd, an ethically-driven management consultancy based in the UK, founded by her in 2003. Clients have included: Pfizer, The Co-operative Group, Good Energy, Curo Housing Group, Herbert Smith LLP, Cleary Gottlieb Hamilton & Steen LLP and The University of Law.
Her charitable work is dedicated to the development of global citizenship and ethics, and Jude was an executive board member of the Council for Education in World Citizenship, part of UNESCO, from 2007-2009. Currently, she is chair of Trill Trust in South West England, an educational charity designed to teach young people sustainable life skills. The Trust promotes a blend of entrepreneurial business skills with environmental awareness and social justice.
With twenty years of experience delivering and designing educational interventions for organisations, including schools, universities, multinational corporations, global law firms and charities, Jude is strategic and creative in her approach to organisational and personal development.
She was successfully employed in the UK by local government, from 2008-2010, as corporate responsibility and development manager, to improve their outcomes in social inclusion. Jude said of the position: “I believe that barriers to social justice, such as discrimination and harassment, make people unwell. My objective is to remove those barriers so that young people in particular may achieve all that they wish to achieve in this life”.
Having lived outside of the United States for twenty-five years, Jude brings a great international perspective (and humoru) to subjects which are often emotionally and politically charged. She makes learning environments enjoyable, challenging and safe, and is an inspirational and dynamic leader.
Jude holds a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University, and is just completing a PhD in Business at Kingston University, London. She is married with three children, a 15-year-old son and twin 11-year-old daughters. Her father, the late Dr. J. Harry Smith, was an influential leader, educator and civil rights activist and the first African-American to become president of a higher education institution in the State of New Jersey.
What I learned along the way is....
....never stop, even when the chips appear to be down, never stop. If you have a vision and you have a mission by which you are deeply motivated, and especially one which will benefit the wellbeing of yourself, other people and society as a whole....my motto is ‘keep swimming’. Ask for help when you need it, and give help to others, even if they don’t have the capacity to ask for it. We’re all delicate. We all need support and encouragement, and a little goes a very long way.
My greatest influence has been....
....my Dad, hands down. Born in 1922, he lived and successfully navigated through the American system of apartheid. He was smart, strategic, compassionate, athletic, confrontational and caring. He also had the ability to choose a fantastic spouse, my Mom, who was his strong and not always silent partner. So, the two come in one package really. So, let’s say my combined parental unit.
The best advice I ever received is....
....don’t give away your power. If you have the skills and the abilities to influence the outcome of a situation, to drive and direct things for the good, then do it. Don’t abuse that power, but don’t give it away. Don’t be afraid of it, but embrace it and let it take you on to new heights.
My top tips for succeeding in my career area are....
....be creative; there is so much same old same old out there that we know doesn’t work, and we don’t need more of that. Take calculated risks and be prepared to fall flat on your face and to get back up again and to keep going. Don’t just lie on the ground and cry. Don’t be overly concerned with making friends when you have to get a job done, but try not to make enemies. Not everyone will understand what you’re trying to do and won’t always be able to support you when you need them, but be patient.
Stay true to yourself and don’t ever compromise your integrity. Find that right balance between work and life so that you don’t burn out and become so miserable no one wishes to work with you or to live with you. Continue to seek knowledge and to expand your horizons. Never believe you know it all.
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