Her Story
About Badriyah (Jade)
Jade Nelson is a dangerous goods compliance leader with over 15 years of experience in dangerous goods and EHS compliance. She has held her current role for more than 6 years at a global organization, where she supports compliance across 27-plus countries by building programs, policies, and maturity models. Nelson began her career in supply chain and logistics before discovering her passion for safety and compliance during a safety meeting. She holds a master's degree in occupational safety and health and is pursuing a law degree. Her certifications include CHMM, CM as a Certified Manager, and GSP, with her CSP in progress. Nelson is the founder of Women in Dangerous Goods, a global resource group, and serves as chairperson for the National Safety Council Emerging Safety Professionals. She is also a member of NAWIC and Influential Women. Nelson attributes her success to embracing fear and pursuing large goals, values transparency and making a global impact, and advises young women to build relationships early and communicate the value of their work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Badriyah (Jade)
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to embracing fear and jumping off the ledge even when it's scary. It's easy to have goals and plans, but there's always an element of fear when starting something new. For me, embracing that fear and doing it anyway has been the guiding light to success every single time. The moment I feel that fear, I know there's something great on the other side, and sure enough, I embrace it and experience the next level.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to make the largest possible goals and go for those goals without being afraid. Earlier in my career about 20-plus years ago, I was uncomfortable talking about my huge goals, but a phenomenal woman told me not to be afraid to make really huge goals because she saw I was comfortable making them but not saying them out loud. Now I'm comfortable saying my ideas out loud, and I've been promoted almost every year or two, founded a cool group, and become a new CEO because of that advice.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Reach out to women doing the same things you want to do and develop professional relationships early on with those who have similar career paths. Don't assume that because you're doing great work, people will automatically recognize its value - learn to communicate the value your work brings. Build lasting relationships, don't be afraid to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, and if you feel fear, that's an indicator you need to do it anyway. If you need an accountability partner, let me know.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include being very futuristic and optimistic, needing to pull back to 30-day or six-month plans when leading global organizations or starting businesses, and working in a highly specialized field where the value of dangerous goods compliance isn't always visible until something goes wrong. Opportunities include the male-dominated space of dangerous goods and safety opening up for more women to be visible and make an impact, with growing global appetite for discussions about women in the workplace.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Transparency is very much part of my value kit because everyone is busy. Making an impact is also huge - everything I do, every group I form, every business solution I come up with, I want to make an impact globally. It's about making something better, easier to understand, and actually having an impact that matters for generations to come rather than just being here.
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