Hi. I’m Grace Judson ...
... and I love what I do!
For over 25 years, I worked in many levels of the corporate world. I did everything from mission-critical project implementations to strategic planning as a member of Senior Management, and a whole lot more in between. As a team leader and department manager, I developed my ability to help people be and do more than they ever expected. Helping people develop their careers and stay on track when things got rough was always the best part of my job.
I also gradually became aware that this wasn’t enough. I realized that my ability to help people develop was limited by my ethical obligation to prioritize corporate objectives and needs ahead of the individuals I wanted to help. Also, creating department plans and budgets, managing projects, assessing corporate and client needs — all of the familiar day-to-day work of running a department was becoming less and less meaningful to me.
So I took a week off to do some work around my house — and to think. As I tell my clients, there’s
nothing like doing uncomplicated physical labor to free up the mind to put puzzle pieces together in new ways
and come up with insights. 
My decision was obvious. I know, from my own experience and that of my mentors and those whom I mentored — and now those who are my clients — that corporate politics can be real, honest, and heartfelt, and that it is possible to grow your career without losing sleep or your values. What else could I do but take this deep conviction and my skills and talents and go to work?
In the years since then, I’ve worked with small business start-ups, nonprofits, and multinational corporations as well as with individuals. I coach individuals and teams to understand the nature of their workplace and their career: the culture and politics, the greater context into which their work fits and contributes to the organization’s success, and how to maintain focus as well as contextual understanding in an increasingly complex global business environment. All of my work is informed by my conviction that individual and organizational effectiveness is dependent on and driven by authenticity, integrity, and wholeness.
I’m also currently an instructor at the University of California — San Diego (UCSD) Extension School. In addition, I conduct workshops for and speak to corporations and professional organizations on business-related topics, primarily related to corporate politics, but also including meeting management, knowledge management, and creativity. Audiences include the American Businesswomen’s Association, the National Association of Women Business Owners, the nonprofit Shakti Rising, the Golden Door Spa, and UCSD’s Faculty and Staff program.
I’ve greatly enjoyed refining my skills through classes and one-to-one work with top coaches and coach training specialists, including CEO Dave Buck of CoachVille, the world’s largest online coach training organization.
I understand from personal experience what it’s like to be in my clients’ shoes. There is nothing more joyful to me than seeing my clients revitalize their careers and regain their trust in their own integrity!
What about when I’m not working?
Yes, I love what I do — but even so, I can’t do it all the time!
I donate some of my time to Shakti Rising, a nonprofit women’s recovery center here in San Diego, where I was honored to be on the Board of Directors for a year and a half.
I also admit to being a “fiberholic” — I knit (somewhat obsessively and definitely continuously; ask me about my sock drawer!), spin, and weave. In fact, in 2002 I won the fastest knitter in America title, and I appeared on Good Morning America that October to compete for the World title. (I lost, by two stitches in three minutes. Oh, well!)
And I’m privileged to share my home with three cats, Eddie, Truffle, and Cleo. On the left is Eddie, curled on
the “catbird seat” (overlooking the birdfeeders!). Here’s Cleo, reminding me to
take time to look around every now and then. And Truffle is probably hanging out somewhere with his pet catnip fish!
What Is Svaha?
The time between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder.
I first encountered the word with that definition in a book by Charles de Lint (Svaha). He identifies it as an Amerindian word. Neither he nor anyone else I’ve talked to has been able to confirm, but it’s probably Navajo. (If anyone knows more, by all means contact me and tell me about it!)
Its sense of anticipation and expectation is central to my work.
Meanwhile, I’ve learned that it’s a multi-lingual word. And every meaning I’ve encountered so far has added depth, significance, and heart to what my business offers.
In Russian, svaha means “Matchmaker.”
In Hinduism and Buddhism, Svaha is a minor fire goddess.
If you know other definitions, please let me know so I can add them here.