Grace Graves Badugu

I attribute my success following Jesus Christ. Striving to keep Him at the forefront of my life. My family who has always supported me and championed my growth. Also to always being coachable and willing to listen, no matter where I am in the hierarchy of management roles. I learned this skill mainly from the military - that you can learn something from anybody, it doesn't matter who they are. In the retail setting at Kroger, I realized you can learn something from your baggers and you can learn something from your district managers, and everyone in between. I think people appreciate when you're willing to listen, because everybody wants to be listened to and heard. That's been a skill I've carried with me at every job I've had. My time as an assistant store manager at Kroger was a real confidence booster because I didn't think I would be very good or thrive in that retail environment, but I did really well. It showed me that I could do anything - I just have to have the confidence and the tenacity to stick with it and learn things that I'm not comfortable with.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to remain coachable and always be willing to listen and learn from others, regardless of their rank, title, or role. I believe that valuable insights can come from anyone, and maintaining an open mind has helped me grow both professionally and personally. By embracing continuous learning and being receptive to feedback, I have been able to develop new skills, strengthen relationships, and adapt to new challenges throughout my career.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay coachable, listen actively, and be open to learning from everyone around you. Build your confidence through continuous growth and experience, and develop the tenacity to persevere through adversity. Focus on demonstrating your capabilities, leading with integrity, and trusting in your ability to make meaningful contributions and create a lasting impact.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is overcoming assumptions about ability. Establishing credibility often requires consistently demonstrating expertise, resilience, and results. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities available today. Modern technology, digital platforms, and accessible creative tools have transformed the industry, making it easier than ever to write, produce, distribute, and promote work while building meaningful connections with audiences on a global scale.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are coachability, active listening, tenacity, confidence, and a strong commitment to community service. I believe in continuously learning from others, remaining open to feedback, and approaching every situation with a willingness to grow. Tenacity and confidence help me navigate challenges and pursue meaningful goals, while my dedication to serving others drives me to support families and vulnerable members of the community. These values guide my decisions, shape my relationships, and inspire me to make a positive impact wherever I can.