Meet our board: Judy Adams
Project Change Foundation is run by a volunteer board that reviews applicants, and guides, mentors and secures the financial supports for our chosen recipient organizations. We asked board member Judy Adams a few questions about what this work looks like, and what it means to her.
Judy joined the board in 2017 and is currently serving as mentor to our 2022 recipient organization, Courage in Action. As a leadership coach and TEC Canada Trusted Advisory Group Chair, she’s worked with leaders in a variety of industries to help them reach their goals, and has a knack for identifying key traits and trends in the organizations she mentors.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work on the board?
JA: Working with dedicated socially committed leaders gives me an opportunity to positively impact many people’s lives through organizations I may not have discovered otherwise, had it not been for Project Change Foundation’s mission.
This year, for instance, learning about the impact Courage in Action is having on women’s lives and working directly with their Executive Director [Cindy Stradling] to expand the charity’s services feels very rewarding.
What are the most unique challenges or successes you’ve helped your mentees navigate, and how did you do it?
JA: Leading others to fulfill a desired purpose and outcome is no easy task. Creating the right environment for success to flourish is paramount, whether the organization is for-profit or not-for-profit.
I have spent almost 30 years managing and leading people in culturally, religiously, generationally, sexually and gender diverse workplaces so I’m happy to lend my experience to leaders who have plenty of heart and possibly different areas of strength other than business strategy and execution.
What unexpected lessons or learnings from your career path have become valuable as you coach and mentor new leaders?
JA: Leaders who are high achievers are values-centered and focus more on the why of the business and less on the how to reach their goals.
At any level of growth, it’s important to show up as a whole-hearted leader. Cindy Stradling [Executive Director of Courage in Action] is a great example. She is a courageous and committed leader who sees the importance of providing a clear path to follow to achieve success and expand services for their members. These qualities bode well for the future of the organization.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
JA: You will wear different hats depending on the different roles and responsibilities you have in life. Remember that you’re still the same person under all those hats, so listen to your heart more and your mind less. Your heart will always lead you in the right direction while your mind often gets in the way.
Also: Don’t let others tell you who you are… ever!