Lori Jude

I attribute my success to grace-given perseverance and a commitment to push through life’s challenges despite the hardships I've encountered along the way. In addition to being raised by hardworking parents who came from little, shortly after learning I was pregnant with our third child, my first husband was diagnosed with ALS. I chose to prioritize caring for him and raising our children while continuing contract work and writing for Bridges Magazine. I also supported my surrounding community by facilitating a pod school during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences taught me that true success comes from moving forward despite setbacks. Even baby steps can become giant leaps if one is facing the right direction. In 2024, I remarried a recently retired United States Army Green Beret whose military career and accomplishments inspire me daily. As the saying goes, the only way out is through, and I continue to move forward with resilience, purpose and gratitude.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is a combination of three sayings: “Know thyself,” “Do one thing and do it well,” and “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible,” attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. In other words, know your strengths and limitations, do what you can, when you can, how you can, and do it to the best of your ability. Before you know it, you will surpass what you once thought you weren't capable of.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to truly know yourself. In a world full of constant messages about what success “should” look like, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to meet someone else’s expectations. Knowing yourself means understanding your strengths, acknowledging your weaknesses, and recognizing what you need to recover, restore, and be your best for yourself and the ones who depend on you. Life will most certainly throw curveballs, and plans will change, but don’t let that diminish your enthusiasm. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is failure after failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Avoid the trap of shame or self-doubt; stay curious, keep learning, and keep moving forward even when it's hard. True resilience and growth always come from persistence, not perfection.

The biggest challenges in my field right now are balancing family priorities with career growth. I'm thankful to live in an era where there are significant opportunities for women actively seeking to realistically prosper in both personal and professional life. Remote work and digital media platforms allow for sustained leadership across geographies and provide increased visibility, giving women the ability to inspire and support others on a much larger scale than ever before in history.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are my faith, family, and maintaining a realistic, authentic work/life balance. My husband and children are always my top priority, and my faith shapes how I view my identity, worth and purpose. I believe we are all gifted with unique talents, and it’s a privilege to use those gifts to positively impact others’ lives. Connection, support, and collaboration are central to how I approach both work and relationships. Flexibility and remote work are essential for our current season, allowing me to be present for my family while contributing meaningfully to an all-female-run magazine that strengthens communities, and provides resources and inspiration to so many. Lasting impact and legacy are themes deeply important to me. Life is a vapor and I strive daily to live my life in a way that leaves something transformative for my children and honors the hard-won achievements of the generations who came before me.