At brandiD, we’ve worked with hundreds of women over the 14 years we’ve been in existence. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we would be remiss if we didn’t showcase the work of a few of our current clients. Although these women all carry their own stories, missions, and dreams, they all have this one thing in common: they’re doing the work they were meant to do.
“A woman shouldn’t be grateful to sit at a table. She should be paid to sit at the table, especially the ones she largely helped build.” — Lilly Singh
It’s not easy to define your work—or your life—on your own terms. It requires a deep drive, vision, and a confidence in yourself (that isn’t always innate)! It comes from either a deep sense of knowing you are meant for more or it takes identifying a problem that is so often bigger than yourself. Despite the camp you’re in you are striving towards providing a solution that not only helps you overcome obstacles, but that allows others to do the same.
So without further ado, here are four current brandiD clients who are working to make their cities and the world a better place by doing their soul work.
Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim
CEO & Executive Director of the City of Atlanta’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim’s calling to do this work—her soul work—of creating sustainable strategies that lift up communities was apparent to her even as a teenager. By witnessing her own pain and joy reflected in the lives of the people and communities around her, she understood that in order to create a more sustainable and equitable future for the next generation and beyond, she needed to support others in overcoming the same adversities and obstacles she faced. These reflections led her to her work, and supported her journey into becoming the empathetic, resilient changemaker she is today. As a natural leader and advocate, Qaadirah uses her lived experiences to actively dismantle systems of injustice, helping marginalized people and communities feel heard, understood, and empowered as the CEO & Executive Director of the City of Atlanta’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
To learn more about Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, visit qaadirah.com
Susie deVille
CEO & Founder of the Innovation & Creativity Institute
The idea for Susie deVille’s business—the Innovation & Creativity Institute—stemmed from inspiration itself when she first encountered the ideas of design firm IDEO. Their way of designing and working affirmed Susie’s belief that true creativity wasn’t based on having the “perfect” idea; instead, they encouraged people to express their wildest ideas, finding joy in the trial-and-error of it all.
Susie accessed her most important work during a 15-year journey of researching innovation and creativity, discovering that business success is inexorably tied to inspired creativity. After launching and selling a successful real estate business, she delved into her creative endeavors, sketching and painting her way into new insights and experiences, leading to the creation of her groundbreaking Creative Rebel’s Voyage™ methodology. Today, Susie helps entrepreneurs build wildly successful businesses by rediscovering their innate creativity and leveraging the power of their true selves. Her first book, Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free is available for preorder now and will be published on September 6, 2022.
To learn more about Susie deVille, visit innovationandcreativityinstitute.com
Dr. Angelicque Tucker Blackmon
CEO and Director of Research and Evaluation at Innovative Learning Center
Joy radiates from Angelicque, a supportive leader and driver of social innovation in STEM education. Partnering with education professionals, Angelicque makes a difference by breaking barriers that inhibit student success. She’s motivated by success itself—more specifically, the idea that successful humans are natural forces for good. It’s her soul work to be the impetus for inspiring and stimulating the success stories of others.
Like so many others, her desire to share her passionate energy with the world has always been an innate part of who she is, and was a driving force in getting her to where she is today. Her work at the Innovative Learning Center is rooted in the drive to empower those from marginalized backgrounds to follow their passions and embrace their unique gifts while feeling safe and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.
To learn more about Dr. Angelicque Tucker Blackmon, visit ilearningcenter.education
Anne-Marie Duchêne
Founder of the Art of Alignment Academy and the Duchêne Method
Anne-Marie Duchêne is a mind-body expert who helps individuals rewire their internal blueprint and move towards a more fulfilling way of living through mental, physical, and spiritual alignment. Her drive to do this work is grounded in love: a love for people, for culture, and for humanity.
With a formal background in medical anthropology, dance, and athletics, Anne-Marie’s path to this work has been long, but inevitable. From childhood, it was obvious to Anne-Marie that her life was being pulled towards her calling –supporting others in deepening their relationships with themselves, and in turn, the people closest to them.
Her soul work—brought to fruition in the Art of Alignment Academy—is assisting others in accessing their own stories and helping them make the necessary shifts to move from a restricted way of being into a fuller, happier, and more balanced life. Anne-Marie’s work runs so deep within her that it isn’t work at all; it is her mission.
To learn more about Anne-Marie Duchêne, visit artofalignmentacademy.com
I hope reading the stories of these inspiring women has reminded you of your own innate soul work. Working alongside these women to shape and share their stories, amplifying their work and maximizing their impact is what drives us here at brandiD—you might say it’s our own soul work.
About The Author
Rachel Gogos is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a strong desire to help people by creating strong personal brands and businesses. She’s personally launched dozens of books, e-products, and services; and hundreds of products and services with her clients. She started her career at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where she helped create the look and feel for the organization’s first website.
Today, in her current role running brandiD, Rachel channels over 15 years of marketing and communications experience into each and every website for brandiD’s clients.
And check out her book, Build Your Brand: The Distinctive Guide to Soul-Based Marketing. It will help you uncover your personal brand.
Leave a Reply