MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BROOKE RAY

Could you tell us a bit about who you are and what it is that you do?

I'm Brooke. I recently created my own business, Redbud Consulting. I help agents of social and environmental change to thrive. I am a Jill of all trades, and help organizations and business on a range of projects based on the skills I've gathered over the years mostly as a program and business manager. Right now I'm supporting grant writing, philanthropic research, and operations management.

What do you love most about the work?

All of my clients are working on addressing big challenges in the social and environmental sphere - food aparteid, biodiversity loss and climate change, international ethics...they are shouldering enormous workloads. I love being able to show up and lighten that load, and bring fresh energy and perspective to their work. I love this behind the scenes role and the ability to work with so many interesting people and projects.

How did you arrive at this point in your career? What’s your backstory?

My background is in international development and food and agriculture. I worked in that sector for a long time. Most recently in Charlottesville I was the Senior Manager of Food and Agriculture Programs with the International Rescue Committee, and worked to establish urban farming and food programming with the refugee and immigrant community here. And after that I was the Operations Manager at the Global Policy Center at the UVA Batten School. But I've worked as a natural builder, an event planner and many other things. I side gig as a gardener and use my house as a place to keep learning about plants and ecology. I love geeking out on soil.

Has there been a light switch moment, a turning point, professionally &/or personally along the way?

Definitely finally working for myself has been a turning point. My partner has always said I should work for myself (maybe because I'm so bossy?!) and, like most things, he was right (don't tell him I said that). But yes, making my own schedule, picking clients, and reaping the fruits of my own labor has been a great fit. All the more so now that I have the IX as a part time landing spot.

What are you currently working on, excited about, looking forward to?

My newest client is Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and it's been so fun to dive into their world and get acquainted with topics that are familiar to me, like climate change and displacement, through this new lens. I'm also helping a new client based in Scottsville, called Climate Investment Partners, to get off the ground. After working for a while in the nonprofit world, it's been eye opening to see what an incredible impact the for profit sector can have in protecting biodiversity and indigenous communities. They work in nature-based solutions, particularly around reforestation and deforestation prevention as well as carbon finance. I'm also interested in systemic issues around the "polycrisis" and hoping I can break into that space in some way, maybe by developing localized community learning and action cohorts. While it's a heavy topic, I think there are a number of existential threats building momentum and I am intrigued by the idea that there are common attractors to these problems rather than the idea that they are all unsolvable and totally unique. I want to support people dedicating their time to understanding the potential patterns across these issues.

What values drive your work each day? How do they manifest?

I'm motivated by a sense of responsibility and love - to and for the world and life on it. On a personal level, I'm highly relational. I draw meaning from personal connection and feeling appreciated and useful. Also chocolate.

How’s it been working here at Studio IX?

I love it! It's so nice to put real pants on and see humans face to face!