The nature of Gwendolyn Tucker's work puts her behind a steering wheel but only for as long as it takes her to get to people. The managing partner of RIX International, a human resources consulting business, the 58-year-old Tucker isn't stuck in her office often, and that suits her personality well. Ready with a smile to ask an engaging question, she's the epitome of a people person. She leverages that natural attraction in order to advise businesses on the most valuable asset under their roofs – human capital.
"We often don't treat it that way, though," said Tucker, a new member of the board at the Greater Memphis Chamber. "I grew up hearing my daddy say people are the most valuable thing God placed on this earth. It is my personal mission to leave each person better than I found them."
As the new president of the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Tucker was inducted onto the Chamber board as a representative in January. She loves engaging women entrepreneurs in both roles, and both organizations share a common goal – economic development. Her ascension comes as government and corporations seek out ways to include women-owned businesses more fairly in the economy.
Tasha Livingston, business development manager at the Chamber, felt a natural connection with Tucker during their first conversation. To Livingston's surprise, Tucker's first remark was "tell me about yourself." As president of NAWBO, Livingston said, Tucker is a great fit with the Chamber due to the shared interest in boosting the participation of small businesses, minority and women-owned businesses and locally-owned businesses.
While NAWBO generally seeks to propel women entrepreneurs into economic social and political spheres of power, the local chapter focuses on the economic aspect "because when you get that, you get the social and political," Tucker said.
The NAWBO chapter, with about 70 members who meet monthly, celebrates 20 years of existence this year. As president for a two-year term, Tucker wants to focus on...
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