Kerry Wekelo, COO, Actualize Consulting
Kerry Wekelo is the Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting, a financial services consulting firm, and founder of Zendoway a company that encourages holistic wellness. She has authored Cultural Infusion and Gratitude Infusion, books aimed at improving organizational performance, as well as several acclaimed children’s books on mindfulness, compassion and yoga. She is a certified life coach, yoga instructor and mindfulness expert. She has published dozens of popular articles and has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, SHRM, Thrive Global, and Corporate Wellness Magazine.
If I continue listing Kerry’s accomplishments and contributions I may have enough material for a book of my own. I have met some pretty busy working women in my time but Kerry really sets the bar high of how much one woman can attain. Granted, she admits her superpower is having a high capacity to manage various tasks at one time. I admit I am amazed by all the outstanding work this wonderful woo woo working woman accomplishes every day.
In addition to overseeing all internal operations Kerry works with Actualize clients to transform and propel their cultures so that they perform at their highest and happiest capacity. In all her work, Kerry merges her philosophy of living a life infused with wellness and mindfulness with her background in consulting, educational, finance, teaching, writing and marketing. This has allowed her to create lauded corporate programs that connect productivity, and life/work balance in order to significantly improve company culture, efficiency and employee engagement. .
It’s through this successful work that she launched her trademark program and authored Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture which is now a part of the Management Advanced Leadership Skills course offered at Virginia Tech University. Her newest book is Gratitude Infusion: Workplace Strategies for a Thriving Organizational Culture in which each chapter offers perspective and a dash of creativity to inspire teams and leadership through the lens of gratitude.
Growing up on a farm in Virginia, Kerry spent her time running around, soaking up nature, writing on the school newspaper, and seeing the best in all things. She always felt a connection to spirituality and naturally embraced positivity in all things. She pursued a more practical path studying finance and marketing in college and later receiving her MBA in Information Systems. It was during her pregnancy with her first child that she embraced yoga and that led her on a personal journey to discovering mindfulness and embodiment through physical movement.
After years of personal practice, Kerry knows that focusing on overall wellness replenishes energy, creates healthier relationships and provides transformative insight into both our personal and professional lives. It has become her passion to help share this with others. Kerry is the living embodiment of you are what you preach. You can feel her authenticity just from speaking to her for a few minutes. She inspires you to be more grateful and a bit kinder. She amazes you with her knowledge and ability to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Her generosity of spirit is so apparent and you feel automatically beholden to be in her energy. It’s her goal to make you work environment happier, healthier and more productive and she’s doing it one organization at a time. It’s my goal to put out even a portion of her amazing work and kindness.
What is your secret to living a high-vibrancy life?
Prioritizing your personal wellbeing – make sure you take time for yourself each day in doing something you enjoy. Even if it’s just for five minutes, that goes a long way in centering yourself and for your internal happiness.
Who is a woo-woo working woman that you admire and why?
My mom. She has always worked hard and taught me that you can always accomplish your dreams. There is always a path to the destination you have in mind, but you can’t give up. She also taught me to trust my instincts.
How do you balance work, wellness and spirituality?
I set boundaries and am not afraid to say no. For example, set boundaries of your working hours, and don’t work past that time.
Was there any one significant event that that moved you onto the path of becoming the woman you are today?
In the spring of 2010, my friend tried to take her own life. We were so shocked and devastated, especially because we had no idea she was unhappy. She was always bubbly and smiley. That event really caused me to analyze my own life and realize that I wasn’t being authentic. I, too, looked like I was living the perfect life, but I was unhappy. I resolved to be authentic in all areas of my life and I made major life changes and realigned my priorities. I stood up to make my job a better place for myself and the others that worked there. It was a domino effect of being courageous, and I am happier because of my decision to be more authentic.
Personal Mantra?
Always spread love and kindness. I go back to this mantra when I feel a negative emotion or am going through a challenge. No matter what you are going through, other people are fighting battles as well. There is never a wrong time to be kind.
Can you tell us a bit about what your job entails?
As the COO of Actualize Consulting, a financial services consulting firm, I oversee all the internal operations of the company. I also work with other organizations to share tips on creating a thriving organizational culture. This includes teaching seminars and writing.
What is the best professional feedback you’ve ever received?
I made videos of gratitude for each team member at Actualize expressing the ways I was grateful for them and their contributions to the firm. What I wasn’t prepared for was my team making two videos of gratitude for me. It was so special and it makes everything I do worthwhile. One of the partners of the firm said that the level of commitment and creativity I put in the firm didn’t go unnoticed, especially with the way we as a firm were handling the challenges that came with COVID. That was really amazing feedback.
Are there any professional skills or life behaviors you wish you’d developed or learned earlier that are essential to your success now?
I wish I was taught mindfulness and self-regulation through breathing earlier. It would have saved me a lot of drama and time as I would have stopped stressing and stayed grounded in the present moment.
Are there any organization or productivity hacks you swear by?
I have an old-school, handwritten to-do list. I list out everything I need to get done that day and put them in the order I need to do them based on priority. Also, I don’t like to sit on things – focus on getting things done instead of procrastinating.
What is your superpower at work?
I have a high capacity to manage various tasks at one time. I also am very empathetic and recognize that our team members are each people with their own lives, challenges, and strengths. For that reason, I develop connections with my team and am great at delegating tasks based on what they would enjoy.
How would you advise someone with a passion for wellness and mindfulness to find a company that aligns with their values.
Social media makes it so easy to connect with like minded people. You can easily research things you are interested in and swiftly build a network of with people who share those same passions. Whether it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, all of those are great starting places.
So many women feel stuck at jobs they don't love because of financial fear especially during these times. How would you advise someone that is already employed by a company that doesn't meet all of their needs?
Right now, I wouldn’t suggest leaving any job. However, you can take a deeper dive into the lessons you are learning. How can you be more positive? What can you change to make the job a better fit? For example, do you have ideas or suggestions, or can you ask to be put on projects that inspire you? When I first got out of college, I had to run an entire project (with enough work for 4 people) by myself because everyone on the team had conflicts of interest. I was upset, but my dad assured me that this would be a good learning experience. Looking back, I am glad I made the best of that bad situation, because I learned so much. I learned I have a high capacity, how to be a leader, and more things about myself.
How do women finds mentors that align with their purpose and values?
Try LinkedIn – search for values that are important to you and connect and network. If you find someone you think you could learn from, ask them! Do you own networking but also don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. And be sure to interview the person to make sure all your values align before signing up for something.
Do you follow any specific doctrines on diet or health?
I try to eat the rainbow with healthy, wholesome food, and I’ve recently started intermittent fasting as I have heard that is good for your body as you get older. I don’t eat outside of the hours of 11am-7pm. Mostly though, I follow the rule of “everything in moderation.” I strive to listen to my body. For example, I don’t eat much dairy anymore because I don’t like the way it makes me feel.
How often do you workout? What are your favorite forms of activity?
I work out daily. I like to do a variety of things but my favorites are walking, running, strength training, and yoga.
How does one bring an emphasis on mindfulness and wellness into their everyday lives?
Practice. Find something that works for you and set intentions at the beginning of the day. Take a moment each hour to center yourself.
Do you have any morning or evening rituals?
I try to move every morning – I find I feel rushed if I don’t do my movement for the day in the morning. In the evening, I like to do light exercise like a walk with some light stretching.
How do you prioritize self-care?
Just do it; pencil time in if you have to. Once you start, you will feel the benefits and it will be something you need and look forward to.
Do you have any wellness practices that help you stay in optimal health?
I try to move every morning – I find I feel rushed if I don’t do my movement for the day in the morning. In the evening, I like to do light exercise like a walk with some light stretching.
What is the greatest gift you can give yourself?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Tell yourself that you are doing the best you can each and every day. Try and try again and pick yourself up when you’re feeling down.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
“Suck It up and Keep Moving.” Perhaps it could have a catchier title, but when I was helping clean the room of a friend who had passed with cancer, I found this saying written all over her room. It was her life motto and if she can get through what she got through, I know I can get through anything.
I always want to learn more about__________?
How I can use natural remedies for ailments when possible, instead of using prescription drugs.
In my free time, when I have any, you can usually find me __________.
Moving, reading, and writing.
Most people don’t know that I really enjoy__________?
Doing laundry.
How do you reset after a challenging day?
I go back to gratitude and think of everything that is going right.
Favorite motivational instagram account, podcasts, and/or books?
I really enjoy Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us. I love the book The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran because it is a short read with a lot of wisdom. I also love the Instagram account, @newdayish because it has such cute inspirational images.
Go to products or practitioners for wellness?
I love Banyan Botanicals and their ayurvedic herbs. I also love Solavedi products. Solavedi has a green tea eye cream that I use and I notice a huge difference. Plus, it’s a female owned small business.
Advice to the Woo🖤Wooo Working Women out there figuring out how to live their best high-vibrancy life?
Understand what it is you would like to achieve and set your intentions to achieve that.
