Ep.9 Ghazale Johnston, Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions

WINGS for Growth presents "Showing Up as A Leader" with Ghazale Johnston, former Managing Director of Accenture, and now the Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions.

There was a pivotal moment in Ghazale’s career when she realized there was a second chapter to her story and she wanted to do something different; thereafter, she became the COO for a startup called DayMaker. 

She says, being from an immigrant family, meant that you do not have social capital the way that people do; you know that no one will ever owe you anything, so you have to keep trying your best every time and get it right on your own. Being a first-generation immigrant, I fully agree with this.

During our fun-packed conversation, we also asked Ghazale how to restore trust once it is shattered. I heard this expression before: “Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback.” In other words, building trust can take a very long time, but breaking trust can happen in an instant. Ghazale’s advice is to own your mistakes and be honest.  

Quotes:

1. Empathy is about putting yourself in other people’s shoes and recognizing what you will never understand about someone. Listen and learn, don’t assume. 
2. Always choose to do what is right over what is easy. 
3. If you are a mother don’t plan past 6 months, there are many unknowns, and it can overwhelm you.   
4. I want to be remembered by how I treated people, not how I delivered the business process. 
5. Profit and Purpose can and should exist in the same concept.

Guest Bio:

As Founder and Principal of Joon Solutions, Ghazale Johnston advises rapidly growing companies on business development, client integration and workplace engagement. She is also an active angel investor and serves as advisor to early stage CEOs/ Founders. Ghazale specializes in purpose-driven businesses as well as companies focused on solving societal issues that disproportionately affect the lives of women and minorities. She is regularly involved in programs that address the emotional and educational needs of children impacted by trauma and poverty, which includes serving on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas. Her focus on education extends to her leadership roles at North Carolina State University. Ghazale is currently serving as the Vice Chair of the NC State University Foundation Board, is on the Leadership Council for the Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and is a member of the Wolfpack Investor Network. 

Prior to launching Joon Solutions, Ghazale served as the Chief Operating Officer for Daymaker- a compassion platform that helps companies engage their employees through intentional acts of giving and service. Ghazale continues to advise Daymaker on strategic priorities and growth initiatives. 

Ghazale formerly spent 20 years at Accenture where she was a Partner/Managing Director in the Financial Services practice. In 2013, she was a winner of the Charlotte Business Journal 40 under 40 award.

Ghazale loves telling stories and helping others tell their stories. She creates content, provides coaching and speaks publicly on various topics including helping women re-enter the workforce; advancing social causes; and the gifts and lessons she has gained as an immigrant. 

Ghazale lives in Charlotte with her husband, Andy. They have two children, Alex (15) and Millie (13) and a sweet Schnoodle named Duffy. Her "perfect day" includes a 5 mile run, traveling with her family and/or enjoying delicious food with friends. 

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