Meet the Board: Judy Habib
Judy Habib, Founder and Chairman of KHJ Brand Activation
With an impressive roster of clients across all industries, KHJ has been named one of the Top 100 Women-led Businesses in Massachusetts, and one of the top 20 advertising agencies in the region. Judy’s unique insights on internal branding and culture have made her a motivational speaker with a gift for captivating her audiences on such subjects as “It’s your choice, so how great are you willing to have it?”
In addition to her role as founding visionary of KHJ, Judy is Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and past Chair of ALSAC, the fundraising and brand awareness organization for St Jude. A passionate advocate for women being fully in the equation of leadership for a better world, Judy is pleased to serve as President of the International Women’s Forum of Massachusetts.
How did you get connected with Roessel Joy?
Chris and Jonas first introduced themselves to me at the conclusion of a Boston Business Journal event on small business. I was a panelist, and apparently, my remarks struck some chords for them. They asked if we might get together for lunch so they could “pick my brain” as they were in the planning stages of striking out on their own. When we finally met, I could see that their drive, their initiative, and their commitment to a values-based company could successfully distinguish them in a competitive market.
Coming out of COVID, how has corporate strategy changed?
COVID forced companies to look inward and reflect on their brand values. It was a crisis moment with all the pieces in the air. A reasonable landing required enormous trust, and a sense of mutual loyalty to get through it together, as whole and complete as possible. I’m proud to say that KHJ was one of the earliest proponents of employees as the number one stakeholder group for successful brand activation. When a brand is embraced inside first, then people on the outside get it a lot quicker because it rings true in their experiences with the organization.
What is your favorite piece of career advice?
“Bring everything and nothing such that anything is possible.” And that’s not just career advice. It’s life advice. “Bringing everything” means bringing the fullness of your experience, personally and professionally, to all the ways you can contribute. “Bringing nothing” means bringing openness, curiosity, and even a kind of humility to every conversation. The smartest people I have ever met are quick to say, “you know, I really don’t know…” And the journey begins there.
Do you have a favorite book you always find yourself recommending?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s simple, but powerful life wisdom. 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don’t take anything personally. 3. Don’t make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. Doing frequent ‘self-checks’ on each of these agreements with yourself can be an enormously revealing and helpful way to transcend negative ‘noise’ in our heads, and find fulfillment, power, and joy.