Ask A Busy Person
Brenda Ross-Dulan
Founder and Managing Principal of The Ross-Dulan Group
Brenda Ross-Dulan is one of the nation’s most powerful women in corporate America. Her boutique, diverse, woman-owned strategy consulting firm, The Ross-Dulan Group, transforms companies by transforming decision-makers. With over 25 years of experience helping CEOs and executives, she knows how best to help both people and companies.
How did you get into consulting?
After dedicating more than twenty-five years to navigating the financial services industry, I found myself at the crossroads of experience and opportunity. The pivotal moment came during the tumultuous 2008 – 2010 financial crisis when I uprooted my life from California for the merger of Wells Fargo and Wachovia in the heart of New Jersey.
Surrounded by brilliant minds, yet wanting unbiased counsel, I realized the scarcity of authentic guidance. Few executive coaches truly comprehended the weight of my decisions. It became evident that strategic advice should not only address intellectual challenges but also resonate with the emotional journey of leading an enterprise leading me to embrace a newfound purpose – to impact lives positively and empower decision-makers to thrive. This propelled me to establish a visionary strategy consulting firm dedicated to assisting CEOs and executives nationwide in tackling their most formidable business obstacles. Our ethos is encapsulated in the mantra, “We catalyze transformations in companies by empowering decision-makers.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
The most enriching aspect is client engagement. Embarking on a transformative journey to tackle complex business challenges alongside a client is a blend of excitement and challenge that fuels my passion. Every consulting endeavor commences with the client’s initial vision of the problem they seek to solve. However, as we delve deeper into the intricacies, converse with diverse stakeholders, unveil hidden obstacles and navigate through personal and business hurdles, the project’s scope and intricacy may evolve.
I have come to cherish this process not only for its problem-solving essence but for its profound impact on the client’s intellectual and emotional well-being. In the realm of consulting, the ultimate success is not merely in resolving the issue at hand but in leaving the client better on multiple levels. It is truly gratifying to witness clients express transformative sentiments such as, “You have changed my life.”
What’s your typical day like?
My daily routine is far from ordinary. With a framework of about eight essential practices, including staying abreast of market trends and industry insights, I set the tone for my day. Each year I envision the milestones I aim to achieve and this serves as the cornerstone for how I structure my days, months and quarters. The dynamic nature of my life spans across not only The Ross-Dulan Group but also to the realms of RD Capital Partners, RD Cannavest, family commitments, community engagements, non-profit initiatives and stewardship on two corporate boards.
Serving on the board of directors of NJM Insurance Group and NCIF, a private equity trust fund investing in minority-owned banks, requires a daily commitment to staying informed and well-versed in financial news, insurance and banking landscapes. This dedication allows me to contribute meaningfully and effectively in these esteemed positions, enriching my understanding and impact as a board member.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work?
When reflecting on where I channel the majority of my energy, I think about the distinctive essence of our boutique strategy consulting firm. In a landscape where the quest for specific products or services often takes precedence, I liken our approach to a doctor’s practice – where the prescription of aspirin is just one facet of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to address the underlying issue.
Our firm offers a spectrum of services, but our true focus lies in enhancing the quality of decision-making among leaders, transcending mere service provision to foster transformative growth and resilience. Echoing the sentiments from our website, our executive team serves as trusted navigators, guiding leaders through the turbulent waters of change and adversity to achieve tangible, enduring outcomes.
Beyond the realm of traditional executive coaching, our team embodies a unique blend of experience, having walked in the shoes of executives, shaped organizational vision and culture, and grappled with the weight of pivotal decisions. This collective wisdom equips us with a profound understanding of the intellectual and emotional intricacies inherent in leadership, empowering us to facilitate strategic and impactful decision-making processes.
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
I take immense pride in the remarkable journeys of my two children. Both born in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, they have embarked on their own adventures across the country, carving out unique niches in their respective fields.
My eldest, my son, works with Artificial Intelligence, thriving in the bustling cityscape of Brooklyn in New York. Meanwhile, my daughter, with a rich consulting background at Accenture and Slack, has transitioned into the dynamic world of venture capital, making her mark in the vibrant city of Atlanta.
Beyond my familial joys, I find solace and passion in my love for the NBA and my desire to someday hold an ownership stake in a professional team. Additionally, I love interior design and using creativity and aesthetics intertwined to create spaces that inspire and uplift.
What does it mean to be a busy person?
I am thrilled to be a part of this inaugural segment of “Ask A Busy Person” to discuss both busyness and introspection. There is a delicate balance between being in control of my schedule and allowing it to dictate my days. It may seem counterintuitive for an advisor to acknowledge such a sentiment publicly, but the truth is, embracing busyness is not a flaw but a facet of the modern executive’s reality.
Amidst the chaos of packed calendars and relentless demands, solitude and introspection emerges as a vital challenge. It is in these moments of quiet contemplation that the essence of true meditation unfolds – a profound exploration not of what we aim to accomplish but of who we aspire to become. I firmly believe that each of us possesses a unique purpose. Our true fulfillment lies in aligning our lives with this purpose, transcending the mere busyness of existence to embody a higher vision.
A quote reverberates in my mind – “Distraction is the great destroyer of dreams. Why be busy being busy when you’re built to inspire the world?” This powerful reminder encapsulates the essence of our existence, urging us to move beyond the superficial trappings of busyness and embrace our innate capacity to ignite inspiration and impact in the world around us.
Outside of work, what are your hobbies?
Tennis holds a special place in my heart. However, despite my deep affection for the game, the demands of life often limit the opportunities for me to indulge in actually playing on the court.
