Meet Hope Lovell
Mrs. Lovell’s name, alone, gives a glimpse of her impact on the lives of others. She delivers on her promises, as a transformational leader, while coaching people to become their best. Hope’s convictions have compelled her to pioneer innovative systems of change, tackle difficult problems and encourage corporate cultures to flourish and inspire workforces.
As a natural born social entrepreneur with a heart for helping others, Mrs. Lovell established the Transformational Advisory Group (TAG) corporation as a resource to educate and empower entrepreneurs across industries in a profound way. TAG has redefined what it means to be an incubator business hub, providing not only structure and support but also fund development resources.
Mrs. Lovell has served in various leadership positions. She is the newly appointed Board Chair of Ingham County Health Centers Board of Directors. Additionally, she is the immediate Past Chair of ATHENA WIN, a women’s leadership organization affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce; she has served as Treasurer of Jack & Jill of Greater Lansing and Michigan Coalition of Domestic & Sexual Violence, and as a trustee with Tabernacle of David. Hope received her master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Prior to completing graduate studies, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Michigan State University. Mrs. Lovell and her husband, Donald Lovell, have been married for over 15 years and reside in the Greater Lansing Area. For fun, the Lovells enjoy music, traveling and boating in the beautiful lakes of Michigan.
We had an opportunity to talk with Hope regarding Leadership.
What does leadership mean to you?
Being a leader means being both a role model and a provider. I believe in the concept of Servant Leadership. As leaders, we have a responsibility to serve and to take care of those are depending on us for guidance.
Who has influenced your idea of leadership?
Thankfully, I have had some wonderful examples of leaders in both men and women. Three people immediately come to mind: my mother, my pastor and Jennifer Sturdy, who is both a community leader and the Immediate Past Chair of ATHENA WIN.
Each have had difference influences on my leadership style. My mother and I founded LoveJoy together 14 years ago. Instead of her taking the role of Executive Director, she empowered me to lead the organization. In this role, she has guided me in ensuring we meet the needs of both our staff and the clients we serve.
My pastor has been wonderful not only being a role model of a patient, caring, leader, but has taught me leadership through the principles or emotional and spiritual truth.
Lastly, Jennifer, has been a great embodiment of leading through the lens of the ATHENA principles. She has been intentional to not only create pathways to leadership for me and other women, but under her tutelage, she has shown a capacity to be both a teacher and a mentor.
Why do we need more women in leadership roles? What unique qualities do women bring to the workplace?
Women have a wonderful capacity to be listeners with empathy. People want to feel heard and feel like their voice matters. This is a skill that is proving to be more important that ever in this time of social unrest and economic opportunity. Women are at the forefront of innovation.
How are you leading in your career or community?
It’s interesting that as a young girl, I never saw myself as a leader. Fast forward, I find myself acting as a leader in both my personal and professional life. As Executive Director of an organization with almost 30 employees of which 90% are women, I am not only guiding policy but acting as a mentor to other women who like me never saw themselves as leaders. It has been a pleasure helping many of them step into leadership positions and giving them the guidance and grooming to use their talents at a greater level.
The Lansing area has been great in providing me a platform to impact positive change in the areas of health and community development. Through a collaboration which included my church, Tabernacle of David, the City of Lansing, LEAP, and Invest Health, I served to spur revitalization efforts for the Holmes and Pleasant Grove corridor.
Additionally, in serving as a board member on the Ingham County Health Centers, we are helping to shape policy to improve primary care for the most vulnerable citizens of Lansing. Most recently, this has included facilitated listening sessions for our patients regarding racial equity and bias.
As a women leader, it has been a pleasure serving on the board of ATHENA WIN. This has been a wonderful platform for providing aspiring women leaders pathways to growth through professional development and networking.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
As a social entrepreneur, it’s my goal to be more intentional about inspiring people to find success both personally and professionally. There are so many that lag behind in not only starting businesses, but in their ability to access capital and resources that help them to grow sustainable enterprises.
I recently created a system of learning called Business DeConstructed that will act as a step by step guide to helping entrepreneurs launch, grow, or expand their business.
What are your social media handles?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hope.lovell.1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thereishope4u
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-lovell-2b171380/
What is the best way for someone to contact you?
I can be reached via email at hlovell@lovejoysnc.org or at hope@tagforsuccess.com.