Author: CIO Times

Things are not the way they used to be say few decades ago. This is not just in broader terms of living standards, social conditions, etc, but also on microlevels. Just like good things have taken a new form, so have the not-so-good things. Violence, for instance, today, is not just about blood and gory. It is also the fear one feels when walking down a dim-lit alley or that second thought one has while uploading a seemingly harmless and funny image of oneself over the internet.

Violence and abuse have surely changed their forms. This means the way to fight them also needs to be changed. Today, it is not just about looking up to authorities to create a safe society, but about empowering individuals to recognize the kind of violence they are being subjected to and protect themselves from it. 

As Arlene Limas, Olympic Champion and CEO of PAVE Prevention (Proactive Anti Violence Education), Inc. puts it, “I don’t think anyone can deny that Violence, in all its shapes and sizes, is impacting us all. From micro-aggression through full-blown psychological and physical events. Not to mention the wrecking ball of trauma that is left behind to impact everything from our financial prosperity to health outcomes.”

Having found herself very early on witnessing inappropriate behavior, power dynamics, treatment, and abuse, Arlene Limas, a lifelong martial artist, athlete, and coach, has always advocated for safer spaces where athletes and people, in general, could thrive and succeed. Being a doer all her life, Arlene joined PAVE, a global organization whose purpose is to ignite change on the corporate and institutional level by providing access, process, and culture change. Arlene has spent her career advocating for athlete safety on and off the field of play. This commitment to safety advocacy ties in well to her new role as the CEO of PAVE Prevention, where she will continue to fulfill her lifelong commitment to personal safety for individuals worldwide.

Transition from a Player to a Guide

Arlene Limas made history as the first American and the first woman to win a Gold Medal in Tae Kwon Do at the 24^th Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, on September 17, 1988. She opened her school, Power Kix Martial Arts, in Stafford in May of 1993, paving the way for other women. Her current 12,500 sq ft facility has been going strong for 30 years.

As the CEO of PAVE Prevention, Arlene Limas advocates for personal safety and empowers corporations. She aims to link high-level programming with corporations and organizations, tackling counterproductive work behaviors that can cause low productivity, tardiness, absenteeism, and high turnover. She strongly believes that her years as an athlete and coach have shaped and contributed to her current role. Looking at the company’s planning and goals much like a periodization plan she would set for herself or her team works for them. Also, grasping that it’s about the big goals, not the small wins or losses. “As far as tangible ideas and products, I am so very proud of our proprietary assessment tools and incredible training modules,” she says.

Arlene leverages her expertise, abilities, and achievements to improve the lives of many others as an instructor and entrepreneur. As the CEO of the startup, Arlene’s communication style lands between Intuitive and Personal styles. She loves to collaborate, include, and empower her team. “I feel we are better when we all are contributing,” she asserts.

Creating Safe Workspaces to Boost Productivity and Creativity

PAVE Prevention, a social enterprise aims to change the culture of violence in workplaces by teaching human safety skills. By enabling the individual, focusing on human development, and building fairer and violence-free workspaces, they believe everyone can stop the chain reaction of workplace violence and make safer communities.

Founded in 2021 in the United States of America, its mission is to offer training and consulting services to individuals and organizations – and the communities they serve – on how to prevent, respond, and heal from violent incidents. The founders have long understood that when individuals have the skills and knowledge to establish healthy boundaries, communicate confidently, and handle conflict, companies and communities gain financially and culturally. PAVE’s evidence-based, trauma-informed programming equips employees and members with the skills for better performance, stronger engagement, and healthier work culture.

PAVE Prevention’s objective is to spark change, safety, and leadership among organizations, individuals, and businesses. This is not about the differences. It’s about knowing that you can reach your full potential and succeed feeling safe and secure and because our shared goal is to build better and stronger human relations.

Working on a Deeper Level

Arlene explains that PAVE goes about providing solutions differently. They are trauma-informed, holistic, and deeply based on scenario learning. They aim to train for acknowledgment and awareness of what is happening to us as an individual as we enter into situations. Why is this situation escalating? Is this situation safe just because we know each other? 

“I think having panic alarms at desks and on doors are great, better lighting in a parking lot, super, cameras to monitor a building a necessity, but until we empower each individual with a set of, what we call Human Safety Skills we fall short of our safety goals as a society. Learning to set a boundary, using our voice, and understanding the strength of being a good bystander or upstander. Understanding your own trauma, activators, and what an adrenalized response looks and feels like changes everything. It is similar to when an athlete can work through crippling pre-event anxiety. Everything just becomes clearer; you are faster and stronger,” she explains.

PAVE is also using technology to assist with their work. The power of assessments, data collection, and reporting platform have been a game changer for them. It shapes everything, curriculum, trainer approach, and validity of the work. They are also embarking on a partnership with an AI company, Scirevance, that will allow them to stay up-to-date and research at incredible speeds.

The leadership team at PAVE believes that creating diverse and inclusive spaces where people can be their authentic selves is imperative for success. PAVE aims to enable people to perform at their best, while fostering safer practices in their workplaces and communities. Diversity of people, ideas, and experiences enriches organizations. Being inclusive with different thoughts and backgrounds means more than just expressing or sharing the experiences, but also feeling appreciated for doing so. So, the organization has been created as a multi-generational, multi-cultural, gender-inclusive workspace and they are fortunate to have trainers across the world to serve the communities that they live in.  

Dealing with Challenges

When asked about her biggest challenge yet, Arlene Limas says that most athletes and leaders, in general, welcome challenges. She thinks as an athlete, a coach and now leadership with PAVE, just getting folks to acknowledge that we must do better around creating safer spaces is a challenge. It is about changing people’s mindset. 

“Everyone acknowledges that violence is happening in private but somehow sees a public discussion as a liability. Safety is a second-tier need just after basic life needs of water, food, and shelter. So, to your question… I am still attacking this challenge and learning every day,” she answers.

She also offers a simple tip that would help people, in their daily lives, to understand their situations and take a step for themselves. She says, “I would offer this tip… ask yourself, what do I want out of this interaction? Where do I want it to go, how will I respond? In a sense, have a game plan. Also, take more time to breathe and ground!”

New Year, New Goals

Arlene Limas and her team are excited for 2024. They have made inroads in municipal sectors that are dealing with violence on a daily basis and are still serving their communities every day. Changing and impacting that culture will be incredibly rewarding. It will also allow them to share that data to encourage more meaningful work for PAVE. “It is my hope that someday in the near future having a good PAVE Score means something, it means that is a great place to work,” concludes Arlene.

Quote: “Better alone than in bad company! Integrity is everything!”

Quote: “I believe I have been empowering people through Martial Arts, Exercise, and Sport and now through Consulting and Training in the Workplace.”

Rapid Fires: 

1. How would you sum up your 2023: Planting seeds!
2. A Contemporary Leader You Admire: Wow, I have many. I find myself going back to Anita Hill often!
3. A Book/Audiobook you are currently Reading/Listening: The Bonobo Sisterhood
4. Your biggest role model: My parents.
5. Success to you is: creating safe spaces where all individuals can be their authentic selves and contribute to the greater good. Whatever that may be for them.
6. Advise for the Young Entrepreneurs: Find your WHY and chase it! Build it! Also, surround yourself with a great team!

Check all Featured Leaders

Of all the living beings, humans have the power to reason. Their innate curiosity and drive to find the reasons for things, events, and even emotions is what truly marks them as different. While it may seem like a simple activity to try and understand things and people around us, it truly isn’t. Sometimes, things are more complex than they seem, especially when it comes to other people, their emotions, and even our own emotions.

Human beings are complex; their emotions, are complicated. At times, we fail to understand, recognize, and handle our own emotions. While this may at times seem just another incident, it may, over time, develop into a phenomenon that can affect every other aspect of our lives. When we fail to understand what we are going through emotionally, it may affect our physical, social, and professional well-being. And in such cases, it is best to see a therapist.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, psychotherapy plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and well-being. It emphasizes skill development rather than solely seeking insight into the past. While understanding the “why” behind our emotions and behaviors remains important, practical skills empower individuals to navigate life’s challenges effectively. Psychotherapy provides a safe space for individuals to explore their emotions, behaviors, and perspectives. It offers fresh insights and helps improve mood, treat mental illnesses, and enhance communication and relationships.

As Ann Bayly-Bruneel, a registered psychotherapist at Heartsight Psychotherapy working in the areas of mental health, addiction, and trauma for more than 20 years explains, beyond addressing specific issues, therapy promotes self-esteem, resilience, and overall well-being. By seeking professional guidance, people can overcome depression, cope with loss, and break free from self-destructive patterns. 

Helping People Heal

Ann Bayly-Bruneel specializes in supporting individuals, couples, and families who have experienced developmental, complex, and intersectional trauma. She also provides mentorship and support to her peers and colleagues and believes in processes of learning/un-learning and collaboration that uplift each other’s sovereignty, self-agency, and self-leadership.

A Registered Psychotherapist and Art Therapist, Ann’s practice spans both community mental health and private settings. She approaches her work through an embodied, expressive, and trauma-informed framework. This perspective recognizes how various forms of individual and collective oppression shape our lives. She is deeply committed to supporting individuals as they explore the impacts of trauma and violence. In her practice, she creates a safe space where clients can share their vulnerabilities and strengths. Together, they courageously reclaim lost or unrealized aspects of themselves, empowering them to live authentically and fully free lives. Integral to her work is facilitating post-traumatic and transformational growth, restorative well-being, healing justice, and repair.

The formative Years

Ann was a sensitive and playful child who grew up listening to intergenerational stories about her ancestry and family lineage. Being immersed in deep conversations and feelings at a young age cultivated a path of curiosity, compassion, and a desire to understand what wasn’t said. As a child, she would always question the way things were—and became aware that what was not said, was just as important as what was spoken. Her quest to understand always hinged on her own need to unpack and liberate herself from her own social conditioning that was restrictive.

She was drawn to study Psychology and Fine Art at the University of Guelph which helped her recognize the interconnections between our mind, body, and spirit. She later pursued her master ‘s-level training in Art Therapy in Vancouver; BC to further hone her intuition, creativity, and capacity to deeply listen. This training was the catalyst for igniting her path in psychotherapy and her journey towards embodied transformational healing and well-BEING. 

Her encounter with unnerving incidents of male gaze and incidence of feeling what it was like to be objectified, sexualized, and harassed simply because of her gender was also a crucial factor. Ann recalls a turning point in her life when she was sexually harassed by a man whom she admired, who was in a position of authority and who also happened to be her friend’s father. She recollects how difficult, confusing and emotionally isolating this experience was and how she had very few words to describe what was happening to her. At the time, there was a lack of information, support, and resources to turn to. Thus, she turned inward towards her own resiliency—and in talking about her experience openly and speaking with her friends and family, she realized that her experience was shared amongst many.

“I was not alone. Others had similar and/or worse experiences of being harassed, abused, and or harmed in some way. It was this deep knowing that encouraged me to want to bring the issue of gender-based violence out of the shadows and into the light of our consciousness. It has been my experience that when we come in touch with our own vulnerability and suffering, and see the interconnections between us we can relate and compassionately act to prevent the suffering of others,” she says.

This knowledge compelled Ann Bayly-Bruneel to formalize her learning and pursue education in women’s studies, psychology, and sociology—thus opening her eyes and ears to deeply understand the intersections of trauma, mental health, poverty, racism, oppression, and violence. Inevitably she was moved in the direction of wanting to be a part of the solution to eradicate social injustices for ALL. She began working in a youth residential setting where she learned about the impacts of early child abuse and neglect. Then worked at Women’s College Hospital within the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre. This amplified her awareness of gender-based violence and how prevalent it is—and how social attitudes, gender ‘norms’, and patriarchy were at the root of the problem. 

A Compassionate Practitioner

As a multi-dimensional BEING, Ann has co-designed her life in alignment with her soul, authentic purpose, values, and essence. She has a private practice called Heart-Sight Psychotherapy and works alongside others and within a Trauma Healing Centre to deepen community care and co-create a vibrant healing matrix. She uses her art and writing to amplify social and liberatory consciousness. As well, she volunteers and co-assists various Somatic Experiencing training to strengthen embodied conscious communities that center healing engagement and embolden collective care and revolutionary inner-standing.  

As a heart-centered human who is passionate about collective healing and community care, Ann considers her own trauma healing and transformation as an embodied pathway to ignite, inspire, and awaken us to the potential and possibility that exists outside our conditioned minds and conventional systems. Doing this requires her to shed layers of intergenerational, intersectional, and ancestral trauma and oppression. She has trained in and explored various relationally and integrative approaches to psychotherapy such as; Somatic Experiencing, NARM, IFS, Reiki, Art Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, and EMDR…as a means to enhance her personal and professional capacity as well as support others in their own unfolding authentic journey. 

Ann Bayly-Bruneel working style is collaborative, radically compassionate, and inclusive of all expressions of diversity and multi-dimensionality. She practices within a framework that embodies anti-oppressive and decolonized values. She honors the shared humanity and the processes that invite people to lean in, soften, and continuously co-evolve. 

“I am a co-explorer who notices nuance and complexity in myself and others. I have learned through my own process of cultivated wisdom and honed intuition to pay attention to how words, language, binaries, and paradigms result in more polarization, disconnection, oppression, and harm. Thus, I am ever-curious to reclaim and ignite that which transcends words, and tap into a fluid and responsive creative wisdom which is deep and innately somatic,” says Ann Bayly-Bruneel.

Art as Therapy

Art has helped Ann to not only deal with challenges, but to transform and find creative solutions to them. She has used art to work through communication struggles in her relationships, to understand the impacts of trauma and oppression in her own life and to re-author and re-frame her own story. She used to keep a visual art journal in her adolescence and used it a lot to help process the emotional pains of growing up. When she encounters difficulties at home or at work, she turns to art to help her unearth where she may feel stuck and to bring her unconscious forward. 

Clinically, she uses art-making to help deepen her understanding of the individuals that she works with and to notice issues of transference/counter-transference which is the fertile ground of the therapeutic relationship. She also uses art-making for play, relaxation, grounding and mindfulness.

Dealing with Challenges

One of the biggest challenges Ann experienced in her career happened incrementally. She began to feel the impacts of the ‘business model’ in health care. She found her own values and trauma-responsive practice in conflict with the mandate of working within a patriarchal, hierarchical, and oppressive system. She experienced and witnessed moral/soul injury and felt the reverberations of trauma and oppression across people and systems. This shared story of collective grief was further amplified during the pandemic and ignited and grounded her heart-opening practice to amplify embodied compassionate solidarity. 

One of the current complexities Ann experiences in the field of psychotherapy is that there is an ever-expanding need to address the vast inequities and intersectional trauma happening on a global scale. There is a lack of resources, support, and inner-standing which leaves many people in cycles of crisis, overwhelm, exhaustion, and collapse. Much of the focus has been on individual mental health and self-care rather than collective and collaborative solutions that center on healing engagement, community care, prevention, and attending to the systemic roots. The silos of patriarchy and colonization result in fractured and traumatized systems that orient from a place of fear, competition, lack, scarcity, and control. These structures aren’t designed to support well-BEING.

Hope with Awareness

Within chaos, there is also an emergent process and Ann has deepened her capacity to listen to this heartbeat too. When we attune to this level, we see that more people are leaning in to engage in their own embodied trauma and nervous system healing. Thus, there is a widening of relational capacity and a growing awareness of our interconnectivity and interdependence. 

People are fortifying an embodied approach to well-BEING that uplifts their sovereignty and engaging in creative, radical, and innovative solutions to support individual and collective care simultaneously. Ann is here to support this co-evolution and to work alongside others in support of this transformation and unfolding. Through writing, speaking, and collaborative offerings that come from a place of FLOW and ease, Ann will continue to assist alongside others in igniting and ushering in new ways to radically live and BE. She desires to blaze and co-create radically inclusive pathways that uplift people’s passion, self-agency, and BEING-ness. “Where our work and lives are intentionally interwoven and where our own essence is our currency. This ripple is already here and I co-create as I write and speak,” says Ann.

Words of Experience

Ann Bayly-Bruneel concludes our interaction with the following message for budding entrepreneurs. She says:

“I would like budding entrepreneurs to follow their whole body YES and to recognize that growth requires capacity for grace and grit. It is possible to live a life in accordance and flow within your own value system and to collaborate and dream-awake with others in support of our shared humanity. Together, as more people align to their embodied essence, we can FEEL the possibility and rhythm of co-designing eco-systems that support community wellness, abundance, and liberation and magnify the spirit of love, joy, and play! Infinite possibilities exist every day!”

Quote: “Revolution must include visioning a better future and embodying it now. Our joy, our softness, our love matters! @mamadrogonrising”

Quote: “I believe that every person has the innate ability to live and harness an authentically bold and heart-centred life.” 

Check – Featured Leaders

Some people have inspiring tales to tell. A few live an inspiring tale. Tina Thorner is one of the latter.

Growing up on a farm in Värmlandsnäs, a northern peninsula of Lake Vänern, Sweden, Tina learned to work hard and be proactive. Her grandmother’s motto was, “Nothing happens if you do nothing”. Her family taught her to focus on what she can control and pursue her goals. These cherished moments of her childhood taught her the lesson of her life to be a resilient and driven woman who never quits.

Always in the Driver’s Seat

Growing up, Tina had a passion for different sports and she collected many prizes in different disciplines. She wanted to become a fighter pilot in the 80s, an unusual choice for young girls then. After spending over a year at a flying school in Albuquerque, New Mexico (US) she encountered a block as Sweden didn’t allow women in force back then, so she continued with her study of economics. 

At the gymnasium, Tina met her first boyfriend who was an upcoming rally driver in Sweden. Intrigued by speed and the sport, she joined him and they started competing together. They were to become professionals in 1989 when she lost him to an accident. That turned her world “upside-down” at the time and held her back for a while from the sport. 

However, sometimes you heal where you hurt. In 1990 Tina was asked to co-drive for a professional Scottish female rally driver at General Motors. Since then, she spent the next 25 years as a professional co-driver in rally alongside the fastest women and men, becoming female world champion co-driver 3 times and two times rally raid champion co-driver in the desert competition and finishing 2nd overall in the DAKAR rally.

In 2015 Tina switched to work for motorsport in a new way, by leading a new AI technology project as Race Director, making everyday drivers aware of how they, through focusing on their driving, can be a change for lowering CO2 while driving as well as lowering the risk of having a car accident. “This is called FIA Smart Driving Challenge, the world’s biggest CSR project, that was used during COP 28 in Dubai for all transport and is run with AI technology from Greater Than, a Swedish insurance TECH company, where I also am a board member today,” says Tina.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as universities and educational institutions opened up and went live on the web, Tina decided to make use of remote study. She used this time and took to educating herself in something she has great passion for today. This summer of 2023, she graduated as a personnel scientist. “Throughout my rally career, I have always worked and supported our development within every team when it came to working conditions and how we could structure and work smarter as well as personal development, both physical and mental.

During this time in motorsport, I did a lot of educational certifications for example; NLP Coach, Mental trainer, Yoga instructor, project manager and leadership as well as Stress and- health pedagogue. For 20 years I have also done speeches about motivation, reaching goals, team building, leadership training & workshops and mental training,” shares Tina.

After graduation in 2023, she found an opportunity as HR Manager at the Sawmill in her home community where she grew up, in Värmland and she applied for it and got through. Since September 2023, Tina has been a part of Moelven Edanesågen, where she loves to come to work every day with her new team of 109 employees.

A New Track

Tina’s journey has been “very” different to navigate to where she is today. However, it is passion and her commitment to better herself every day that has brought her to her new role. As an HR Manager at Moelven Edanesågen, in the Wood industry, Tina is managing 109 co-workers at the sawmill outside Arvika in Värmland. She came into this new environment with her experience, knowledge, and ways of leading rally teams in the world rally- and rally raid championship. This was followed as Race Director for FIA SDC. Both areas were a Multikulti environment, working with 100% focus, no excuses, no whining, and 100% responsibility for each and one’s work assignments. This whole “leading style” has brought a “wake-up call” into a very Swedish “blue-collar” Traditional working environment. 

“That someone arrives every morning with a “SUNSHINE MINDSET” spreading positive energy and keeping self-discipline– have for me felt like the biggest change in everyday meetings with my colleagues/co-workers. The response has been very positive and at the moment this is spreading among many more today. That has helped us as a team to open up and overcome challenges much more easily and with a smile while working hard,” shares Tina Thorner.

She started to send weekly news – using live video, something that the organization and her team had never experienced before, and today they wait to watch it every Thursday. Also, she has now created team leaders within every shift so that the company is spreading the leadership and making it “flatter” and more inclusive of all workers. As a leader, Tina Thorner is very open and transparent, so that her team knows where they have her. 

“Using situated leadership built from coaching my team to question existing ways of acting and doing – daring to think and try new ways. My most valuable style is leading out of “unconditional love” within a very CLEAR “game plan with rules”,” she shares. 

Tina Thorner loves to use the latest technology and that has been a “turnover” in her new role as the HR manager. She has directed and implemented new digital programs and tools to be just as updated as most modern sawmills. She has also well implemented new education for all personnel to update their digital skills and know-how. “Why waste time on doing work that technology can and will do better than us humans without any “cultural or personal” values? I have invested in and been a part of an entrepreneurial education platform for children of the world: www.youracademy.com. I am passionate about implementing technology wherever it can be of best and most efficient use,” she shares. One of the users are the orphan home in Bangui, Central Africa where I have been their sponsor since 2010 and we have gone through 2 civil wars and many challenges, but today many of the children have created their life success both with education, work and private life and contribute back to support the orphans home lead by Maria Theresia.

A Leading Player in the Wood Industry

Moelven is (not: one of) an European (not:largest) producers of wood loaders. Together, its sawmills produce about 2 million m3 of pine and spruce annually. Moelven is a Scandinavian industrial group that produces building products and systems for the construction industry. With sustainable spruce and pine as raw materials, Moelven’s wide-ranging product and service range makes them one of the leading players in the industry.

Moelven sells raw materials further for processing in other industries and uses it in its own products where it manufactures everything clients need in terms of wood for their home, lumber for industry, glulam, building modules, flexible office solutions, chips, and bioenergy. In 100 years, Moelven has evolved from having one factory in Moelv producing wagon wheels dipped in boiling oil, to an international timber processing group.

Sustainability is crucial to Moelven’s competitiveness. Therefore, they have set ambitious and concrete sustainability goals within four main areas – safeguarding natural resources, focusing on people, local values, and climate-smart products and services. They manage the renewable resources they live off with respect and care. They take responsibility for creating a safe workplace where they take care of people and the environment as their fundamental values. 

“We are proud of our over 100-year-old history and look forward to the future, where the digital sawmill plays a key role: Moelven as a company is focused on Transforming from a very traditional to a HIGH TECH/DIGITAL sawmill industry with just as up to date using digital and high-tech tools in creating the best work/life balance for all its employees,” says Tina Thorner.

Also, speaking about the future, she says, “You can expect that Moelven Edanesågen will be a company to visit in 3 years’ time, when others need inspiration on how we have the most inspirational work/life balance and healthy and engaged workers, where all can and will take turns in leading their group and supporting the management with new ideas and solutions for improving both machines and humans.”

Turning Challenges into Achievement Milestones 

Tina’s biggest challenge was when she became the co-driver of Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar, who, at that time, had never won an international rally. He joined Tina Thorner and their BMW team who came from winning the World Cup title. They joined together and they overcame it through training and practice on Swedish Icy roads and an attitude of never giving in. Even when they disagreed with each other on most points, they agreed on a mindset: always act with a mindset that “we were newly in love” (it is from Tina’s leading tool: unconditional love leadership which she developed and) “cool down the differences using NLP coaching on each other” (again from Tina’s education and license as NLP coach).

They won the title that year. This was a success and a Historical victory – since no mixed team in the world with a man from Qatar joined by a European woman – had won an international title.

“To be a female, succeeding and navigating her driver and team to this success in 2008– overcoming all challenges, both personal (cultural) as well as technical – and the skepticism against our mix, all the negative comments and so on – gave us “fuel” to coach each other gaining an even stronger MIND, to SHOW the sport and THE WORLD – that, as Nelson Mandela told me when he visited our workshop in South Africa, where I was competing for Nissan – the sport will unite and overcome so many more bridges between people of any culture and collar, than politicians can do – to join in and work hand in hand to succeed. And RIGHT he was – Nasser and I proved it and after that we have been role models for equality in the Middle East, supporting and inspiring this – seeing how males and females are now working and competing more accepted and equal,” states Tina Thorner. A great example in the Dakar Rally that now is run in Saudi Arabia where local female drives compete against male competition on equal conditions.

What she did learn from it all was that when it comes to human “brain pictures” – the way each and every one of us believes, have been trained to believe from our surrounding’s from growing up – what is OK and not OK– this can be changed over time. We can enlighten each other with an exchange of knowledge between us – not having to give every solution a RIGHT or WRONG – just letting it be “one option” on how to handle life. Now when she leads, she asks: is this a law of nature (not changed by humans) or is it “man-made/developed/decided? If humans have implemented it – then for sure it can be changed, sometimes in the snap of our fingers, if we really want to! A very good example is when all the flights in the world was grounded over a period of a couple of weeks…

And her second question is- give me new ideas and ways to act on it from how we see and look upon the world we live in today. Too many rules and laws are “outdated” in the modern world of new knowledge and technology; that is why she leads and pushes for “new alternatives” before she lets the team decide and “just do like people before us did!

Challenges within the Industry

From Tina Thorner’s point of view, what holds the industry and many more back is humans leading at the top. She observes that the board members are not enough “representative” of the blend of ages, sexes, and cultures. People tend, most of the time, to fall back into the “like we have done it before” methodology to stay safe and sound and make things less challenging or hassle-free. Tina, on the other hand, is an entrepreneur, who loves to dare, try and if it does not work out, try it again but in a different way – and has the grit to try until it succeeds. 

“Older people tend to not want to have a “bumpy” surrounding –while testing new = less stress = more time for other things. Of course, not all need and have to change too fast – but still, be more dynamic and daring than what is shown and acted by board members and

leaders of our business of today,” she says. We have so much more knowledge and are well educated, but still oft “know better than the way we act”. One example is how slow the work together as “world citizens” acting to achieve the values of the 17 United Nations Global Goals….

The Second point is that the board and top leaders can invest a lot in new technology –

but do not invest the percentage that is needed of that investment in developing the humans! Humans have a lack of staying updated with the latest in knowledge compared to the modern machines they are asked to run and deliver results together with. She feels that they should put in equal, if not more, attention towards developing the most crucial resource – the human resource.

Words of Experience and Wisdom

Tina concludes with the following message to the young entrepreneurs:

“Be aware of a “HEALTH/WORK LIFE”, the importance of the higher purpose for our environment and planet, and plan, act, and thrive businesses for generations to come as well as living the best of life while leading and working today – here and now.

Take In that each and every one of us has very little time where we are a part of this “life on our planet”. Share the leadership with each business employer and create for all together to have the best of possibilities to live and work with life quality out of each companies’ possibilities. Involve – share and thrive together as a TEAM in every business with an “INCLUDING” leadership. Dare to share responsibility and make consequences when the gameplan is not supported or followed as agreed.”

Quote: “Never become a lazy and boring grown-up with a locked mindset!”

Quote: “Condition your mind to spread warmth & energy like the sun in every meeting with every person, animal, or plant every day.”

Quote: “Moelven will continue to build a sustainable future in wood.”

Check – Featured Leaders

In 2006, when British mathematician and entrepreneur Clive Humby said “Data is the new oil” he wasn’t just coining a phrase, but hinting towards a new way businesses were about to operate. Known for his work in the field of data science and customer-centric business strategies, Clive’s analogy emphasized the value of data in the modern economy, much like oil has been in the industrial age.

Ever since businesses have been drafting and redrafting Data strategies that would help them succeed. Creating the right data strategy is essential for businesses due to several reasons. It provides Operational Agility as effective data processing is crucial for informed decision-making within organizations. A well-defined data strategy helps companies identify gaps and take corrective actions to improve operations, thus helping with Risk Mitigation. Having a clear plan for collecting, analyzing, and using data fosters a culture of data-driven decision-making. Businesses that strategically use data gain a competitive advantage. Data strategies allow companies to personalize customer interactions, improve service quality, and enhance overall satisfaction. By harnessing the full potential of data assets, organizations can make informed financial decisions and improve their financial performance.

A decade later, in 2016, at a time when the topic of Big Data, Data Governance, and Data Management began to gain strength, Alldatum Business was born to support businesses in their roadmap to data maturity and make data strategies a reality. Founded by Esther Riveroll, the company supports its clients in their business strategies and data initiatives to maximize the exploitation of information and improve decision-making processes.

The Idea

Having worked for several Technology companies such as IBM, Oracle, Sybase, SAP, and Informatica, Esther saw in the market an increasing necessity to obtain more value out of data. Having multiple sources of data from diverse systems such as on-premise, cloud, social networks, wearables, and chatbots, among others, generates a chaotic data explosion that must be managed to exploit all its benefits. 

“More and more people can see that technology is going to lead the way forward, but few are considering how best to link this technology to the clear and present human need. In 2016, I had the opportunity to create my own company, and for the last 8 years, it has established itself as the human side of technology,” says Esther.

Since then, Alldatum Business has been supporting its clients in recognizing their opportunities and creating digital transformation strategies that will help them exploit the best use of their data and information.

The Ideator

Esther Riveroll, the Founder and CEO of Alldatum Business, has an inspiring story of resilience and achievement. She overcame the fear of failure and numerous challenges to create her own successful brand. During her adolescence, she was passionate about sports and was an aerobics teacher. Although she enrolled in college to study applied mathematics and computing, her passion was to exercise and her goal was to set up a gym. 

On a fateful day, Esther had a car accident that prevented her from exercising for a while with which she realized that she had to focus on her professional career and that is how she began to put more effort into her profession. 

Esther chose a career in STEM because she always liked to challenge her mind and solve problems, and was inspired by her high school teacher to love math. The more difficult the problem was, the more she was attracted to solving it. Thus began her passion for technology and everything related to data modeling, analytics, and problem-solving through the creation of data and analytics strategies. 

Before founding Alldatum, Esther faced a pivotal moment when the technology company she worked for was acquired by investment funds, leading to office closures worldwide. Unemployed but determined, she seized an opportunity to continue selling their solutions in Mexico as a business partner. This marked the birth of Alldatum, where Esther sought the best alliances and solutions to support customers in their business and technological strategies. She introduced Orchestra EBX to Mexico and Central America in 2018, and Alldatum now maintains a partner relationship with Tibco and SnapLogic. The company now collaborates with clients beyond Mexico City, reaching countries such as Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and the United States.

Challenges Enroute

The main challenge for Esther was to shift from an employee mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset. She always had to keep in mind that the most important thing about her company is not only to go and sell but to keep all the company’s processes impeccable in order to meet her commitments. She learned that having all your processes and your operation running with excellence is the key to maintaining and positioning yourself. Also having the right values so that your collaborators always comply with the mission, and vision of the company carrying and living the values of integrity, honesty, excellence, teamwork, etc. 

“When you start no one teaches you everything that can happen, so you have to always be attentive to areas of improvement and situations that you don’t know you would face to make decisions quickly and always be able to solve any situation that may arise,” recalls Esther Riveroll.

She continues, “To be an entrepreneur you need to have a lot of endurance and strength. You have to live executing in the present but having an eye on the future to always be making the right decisions for the success of your company and also because every decision you make can affect the course and the result for the people who trust you and are part of your company.”

Another challenge in the area of data is definitely that there is no skill in the market for the needs that we have and that there is so much information that sometimes it is misinformation. So what her team did was create Alldatum Academy to be able to train students in their work. The company also created its own methodology to solve not only with what the books say but with its own experienced situations that allow it to give a better result when implementing its strategies with customers. 

“For me, it has always been that the harder it is, the more I like it. I always like to have new challenges and make my mind work on how to solve new challenges and things we don’t know. Today we are fortunate that information is at hand, in the past, there was not so much information available, everything was in manuals and books and sometimes you did not have access to it. Today success is in knowing how to look for information to be able to solve any familiar task or situation that arises when you are on the road,” says Esther Riveroll.

The Long-term Vision 

For Alldatum, the vision is to never lose sight of the fact that the only constant is change. What was innovative yesterday and worked today may be obsolete in the future and in much less time than before. “In order to survive, you have to have a vision of constant change and innovation. Likewise, your competitors are no longer the same as before and you have to always be looking to be better and never settle,” states Esther Riveroll.

She explains that Digitizing something is not the same as doing a digital transformation project. Digitizing is only leaving paper, for example, to have something in digital format, such as having a paper ticket and now you have it in an application. Digital transformation has to do with a strategy of reviewing your end-to-end processes and in that process digitally transforming by implementing technology, changing the way people collaborate and operate, and reviewing the optimization of the process itself. Maybe you even have to involve people outside your company who are part of this process and they have to be part of the strategy to be successful. 

“Today, those who do not digitally transform will lose competitiveness and are exposed to other companies with innovation and vision winning the market and better positioning their brand,” sums up Esther Riveroll.

Plethora of Services

Alldatum Business offers a range of data-related services to help organizations optimize their operations and decision-making:

• Master Data Management (MDM): Alldatum simplifies multidomain MDM by providing a unified solution to manage, govern, and share master data. Whether it’s products, customers, employees, or financial hierarchies, accurate and consistent master data streamlines processes and enhances reporting and analysis.
• Data Governance: Alldatum supports data governance programs with a process-driven repository. It captures critical data elements, business terms, policies, rules, and responsibilities. Users collaborate through intuitive interfaces, ensuring compliance, reducing costs, and enabling data-driven processes.
• Data Quality and Cataloging: Alldatum recognizes that maintaining data quality is an ongoing process. Their tools help organizations sustain high levels of data quality, preventing inconsistencies over time. From reference data to slowly changing dimensions, Alldatum’s services ensure data remains reliable and valuable.

Addressing Data and Metadata Challenges

Alldatum has its own methodology that allows it to support clients across all data disciplines. Its methodology does not only involve implementing technology and expecting the client to know all the rules and requirements to implement it. It supports them in creating the strategy, aligning concepts, and discovering together the business cases to be solved and what they need to do. With this, they can have successful projects in all areas from integration, quality, catalogs, metadata, lineage, master data, and data security. 

“Everyone needs a data strategy, but a data strategy is not only about technology, it is also about people, their roles, reinventing themselves, reengineering data processes, internal communication, and adapting to change. Doing things differently, with better collaboration and with the right processes for the success of all business cases,” explains Esther Riveroll.

Guarding Against Cybercrimes

Apart from implementing data strategies, businesses need to prepare and prevent information theft, digital identity vulnerabilities, and other cybercrimes. Esther suggests that in addition to the use of technology, it is extremely important to implement strategies for continuous training and monitoring of the applications to which employees have access. When a vulnerability exists, it often starts with a person making a mistake and opens up a security breach. Companies have to keep people always informed, and systems updated, and implement cybersecurity tools such as antivirus, firewalls, VPN, etc. 

As we now work remotely, businesses must generate policies for the use of confidential data, and protection of information, that give guidelines to people on how they should protect confidentiality and data. They need to analyze and review the responsibility matrices and roles very well to be able to give permissions and access to the information only to the right people. Have single sign-on solutions as well as platforms to manage passwords. They should also review which tools protect not only the organization’s systems but the surrounding ecosystem and networks as well.

“The topic of cybersecurity is exciting, we are all exposed but with the right measures, training people, generating strategies with white-collar hackers to test you for the exposure you have, and taking action before a real exposure, all this helps to minimize any probable adverse situation,” shares Esther Riveroll.

Creating a Humane Work Culture

Alldatum lives as its slogan says: “The human side of technology”. The company firmly believes that there should be respect between people and its values are totally oriented towards promoting equality and inclusion regardless of religion, gender, or beliefs. 

The Organization is like a family, and the core team encourages support and teamwork. Esther Riveroll and her core team create collaborative initiatives such as wellness challenges. They have people in various parts of the Mexican Republic and even in Canada, Guatemala, and Colombia and they seek despite the distance employees feel safe in an environment where they can express themselves, learn, and grow with the help of their work team. 

“We have zero tolerance for bullying and mistreatment of people in Alldatum, it doesn’t matter if it is a collaborator, client, partner, whoever is around us must have the same values and respect that we promote in Alldatum,” states Esther Riveroll.

Trends and Plans Ahead

Given the dynamic nature of the world, everything changes swiftly. The IT industry we know now will not be the same in 5 years. Esther Riveroll feels we will surely see many new technological solutions, generative artificial intelligence will continue to advance, and data strategies will never cease to be relevant because there will no longer be only data as in the past in relational databases but also other types of data to consider such as unstructured data generated by social networks,  biometrics, IoT, photographs, videos, etc. 

She believes that the sentiment analysis of brands on social networks will have an impact on decision-making. Much more competitors will emerge in the areas of data and analytics. Data strategies will become more important in order to have successful Analytics strategies. “The only way to face all this is to never stop learning, observing, training, and being ready to change or generate alliances when the time is right. Never be in your comfort zone and be ready to be in constant motion,” says Esther Riveroll.

Considering change is constant, Alldatum will have to always be reviewing and planning its next steps. The plan in Alldatum Academy is always improving with everything they are learning and they see what they need along the way. Every day more competitors emerge, but the difference is not only in the technology or in saying that you compete in something, but in demonstrating through references that you are different and Alldatum’s methodology supports it for the trust of its customers and therefore its growth. 

Speaking about the future plans, Esther Riveroll concludes by saying, “We already have customers in Colombia, USA, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. The world is our goal. We want to collaborate with customers all around the world.  To continue giving opportunities to new young professionals.”

The following sections need to be designed in PDF:

Quote: “Words convince but example drags… Your example will always generate followers, so try to make sure that your behavior is always one that if the people follow you will be proud of that.”

Quote: “Alldatum Business, known as “The data highway experts,” collaborates with clients to refine and improve their data strategy.”

Quote: “How challenges are faced when you are an entrepreneur is always with an attitude of strength and humility not to miss any detail that always makes you improve and move forward.“

Quote: “Information is power. We help the customer gain wisdom from their data for better decision-making.”

Esther’s Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

First is that you choose to undertake something that is not a job for you, that it is something that you like and are passionate about because there will be times when you feel alone and think that you will not be able to handle the challenge. 

Follow your hunch, no matter what others have lived or the experience of others, you create your own experiences. Learn from others’ experiences, but do not allow someone else to tell you that you can’t do anything, and never stop being humble to understand that not everything is always going to go well, things may not go well but with humility, you have to learn from that, make modifications and move forward. 

Live in the present but with an eye on the future to always be innovating and have the ability to move quickly when needed. 

Surround yourselves with the right people who have the same values as you and form a human enterprise, which always takes into consideration what is best for you and others. Learn every day and teach what you have learned to leave a legacy. 

Never forget social responsibility and in their entrepreneurship seek to help and create a better world for all. It is not only how much I sell and how much I earn, but you also have to measure yourself by how much good you are doing since you have been given the opportunity to make a difference for people and the world with your entrepreneurship. 

Leave a legacy not only thinking about being famous and rich. That is very good too, but never forget in the process to make good.

• Visit – Alldatum Company Website
• Check – Featured Leaders

Women play a crucial role in the logistics industry, demonstrating remarkable resilience even in the face of challenges. According to a study by Gartner, women now constitute 41% of the supply chain workforce, a 2% increase from 2020. However, retaining mid-career women remains a challenge, with only 15% holding C-suite positions. Women in logistics contribute significantly, but there’s still work to be done to achieve greater representation and leadership roles. Supply chain organizations are actively working to attract, develop, retain, and advance women, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

One woman who’s holding the fort on her own and creating new milestones every day in the industry is Anne Schaeddel, Owner and Managing Director of Project One. 

The Serendipitous Path to Logistics

In the heart of Germany, where the scent of freshly baked pretzels mingles with the hum of bustling streets, Anne stood at a crossroads. After school, the world seemed to split into two distinct paths: the well-trodden academic route leading to university, or the enigmatic trail of trainee jobs. She hesitated, her compass spinning wildly, unsure which direction to take.

University held the promise of knowledge, but it also demanded years of study—a commitment Anne wasn’t very excited about. She craved something more immediate, more hands-on. And so, she embarked on a quest for answers, weaving through interviews like a curious traveler exploring uncharted lands.

It was during one of these interviews that she stumbled upon freight forwarding. The term left a trail of intrigue in its wake. Freight forwarding—the art of orchestrating the movement of goods across continents, bridging cultures and time zones. Suddenly, the world felt smaller and more interconnected. Anne envisioned herself as a logistics nomad, navigating oceans and customs forms, unraveling the mysteries of supply chains.

Hamburg, with its bustling port and salty sea breeze, became her gateway. There, as a wide-eyed trainee, Anne dipped her toes into the logistics ocean. The cargo ships whispered secrets, and the cranes waved hello. She learned to decode shipping manifests and negotiate with customs officials. Each day was a voyage—a chance to explore, adapt, and connect.

And so, Anne set sail on this uncharted sea, fueled by curiosity and a longing for adventure. The world became her cargo, and logistics her compass. From Hamburg’s docks to distant shores, she has journeyed alongside containers and cultures, forever bound to this dynamic industry. 

Anchoring her Experience

After working in Germany for a few years, Anne received a job offer in Brazil. Different cultures fascinate her so she knew moving to Brazil would open her up to a whole new world in the logistics field. After spending some years working in Brazil, she decided to pursue global project freight forwarding in the United States and moved to Houston. Working for different companies helped her learn all the different aspects of logistics and made her a very well-rounded project freight forwarder who was not afraid to take on new challenges. Her next sojourn was the establishment of her own business, Project One Logistics. 

The company emerged from a demand for specialized project logistics. Project One Logistics’ seasoned professionals focus on transporting manufactured goods across borders, both by land and air. They pride themselves on customer-centric solutions that match client requirements and budgets. Anne’s role as Owner and Managing Director of Project One is to support the great team she has and bring new business in as much as possible. She attends a lot of trade shows to meet new potential customers and keep Project One’s strong relationships with its existing customers. The company’s operators handle most of its big accounts but Anne has a few that she still handles as she has long-term personal relationships with them. 

Project One Logistics was formed to meet the strong demand for project logistics provided by experienced professionals with a focus on the transportation of manufactured goods by inland, cross-border, and air cargo. They understand that the needs of each project are different, and they analyze each project to understand the requirements and challenges of its supply chain.

“We pride ourselves on being customer-oriented and work as a team with our customers and vendors to provide the best logistics solutions tailor-made to your requirements while matching your budget. My vision for the company is to continue to grow at a smart pace and to keep on giving our customers the service and honesty they need and appreciate. We will continue to take on complex projects and expand our network. To achieve this, we will continue to do what we do best, project logistics,” states Anne.

Defying Challenges

Anne appreciates the intricacies of the project cargo industry. In project logistics, almost every project is a new challenge, as they are always working with different countries, routes, ports, etc. Each project brings unique challenges, and working in this field means encountering fresh obstacles daily. Anne finds satisfaction in troubleshooting to ensure a seamless process from start to finish. Collaborating with customers to understand their project requirements and tailor solutions to their specific needs is invigorating because it involves their trust in Project One’s expertise. 

Anne’s working style is a result of this intricacy. She understands that there are (almost) always solutions and a systematic approach to identifying potential solutions, evaluating them, and implementing them is required. She’s also always open to suggestions and others’ insights whether it be from a team member or another partner. No one can be the expert on everything so listening to people who are is key. 

Adding to the complications is the legal challenge. Each country has its own regulations, laws, and cultures. Anne learned very quickly when working with people around the world that each country has its own challenges, but with a good and reliable network, they can overcome these challenges together and make their customer’s transportation as smooth as possible. It’s important to understand and respect regulations as not doing so can lead to extra charges and delayed cargo, something Project One and its customers are keen to avoid. 

“For example, import duties from China can be a costly challenge for our customers, so we always work with our beforehand to help them understand what charges may apply to them. We currently have challenges with both the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal which potentially can cause heavy delays in ocean freight leading to us declining certain vessel sailings due to these issues instead we need to identify new routes for our customer’s cargo. We focus on being as open and upfront as possible with our customers about potential challenges and charges. While we can’t foresee every potential issue we find being honest about costs and timelines reduces our customer’s stress levels and allows them to properly plan,” shares Anne.

Reflecting on a particularly memorable challenge, Anne shares that an import project on the West Coast involved large and heavy pieces. Despite initial route planning and timely permit filings, they faced unexpected weight variations upon discharge from the vessel. With a tight schedule and the pressure to secure new permits, find alternative routes, and arrange specialized truck trailers, they persevered and successfully delivered all the cargo within the designated timeframe.

Promoting Diversity

Anne has always demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion. While the project cargo industry tends to have more men than women in leadership roles, her experiences have not been barriers but stepping stones to her success. She sees herself at the same level as her male counterparts and aims to be an example for women in the logistics world. Anne emphasizes empathy and treats customers and vendors as partners, fostering long-lasting relationships. 

Project One is a part of the WBENC (Women Business Enterprise National Council) and has the women-owned business certification. It posts a lot on LinkedIn, mentioning how important their diversity is in freight forwarding, as they work with the world. “Project One speaks 5 languages and we have people from around the world working here, all with different cultures and languages. Because of this we have a diverse range of customers and we understand how they think,” says Anne.

In addition to her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Anne has spearheaded several initiatives at Project One that actively promote professional development by encouraging employees to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Anne also emphasizes a collaborative work environment, fostering open communication and teamwork. Furthermore, she supports employee well-being through flexible work arrangements and wellness programs. Her leadership style prioritizes transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, creating a positive organizational culture.

Toward the Future on a Path of Growth

To grow personally and professionally, Anne loves reading all kinds of books, especially those by Malcolm Gladwell. She has a close friendship circle of other entrepreneurs in all areas, and always loves to hear their stories and how they cope in different situations.  They help each other by giving advice. 

As for Project One’s growth, she envisions a future that is very bright. They will continue to grow at a manageable pace and evolve within the logistics industry to keep up with all new trends that arise. Speaking about trends, Anne observes that Artificial Intelligence is starting to play a large role in the logistics industry. More and more things are becoming automated. Project One prides itself on its customer service and personal relationships so it will continue to do as much work itself for as long as the industry allows while utilizing these tools to stay competitive and be as responsive as possible. However, the team is prepared to make changes as needed to better fit its customers’ needs. 

“Our entire organization is on board for whatever needs to be done to keep Project One a key player in the industry. We will continue to provide the best customer service experience for all our clients and that alone will allow us to keep climbing to the top. I want to continue to grow my team and possibly open different office locations in the US. The challenge is finding the right people for the team. We all have a similar mindset, and the way we work together works so well. We trust and respect each other. In our business, the people are the most important asset, so finding the right people is the biggest challenge,” says Anne.

Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

Anne concludes our interaction with the following message for aspiring entrepreneurs:

“To all aspiring entrepreneurs, just keep following your dreams. You can do whatever you put your mind to as long as you keep pushing yourself in that direction. Change is inevitable and you have to adapt accordingly. Setbacks happen but that doesn’t mean you should just give up and move farther away from your end goal.”

Quote: “My working mantra is: Respect each other, respect the people, and trust them with their abilities to do the job.”

Quote: “Whether it’s heavy machinery or delicate prototypes, we’re here to make logistics seamless and efficient.”

Quote: “When I receive photos of successfully delivered cargo at its final destination, I know our efforts have paid off.”