The servant leader with the gift of exhortation
When unwavering determination and dedicated service collide
Schultz's journey has been defined by her unceasing commitment to building bridges of unity.
Beatrice Schultz exemplifies the profound potential that lies within our youth. Born in Ghana, raised in Botswana and proudly identifying as a child of Namibian soil, her life story is testament to the extraordinary transformations that can occur through unwavering determination, dedicated service and a steadfast pursuit of one's passions.
" Because of my personal and professional circumstances, I build bridges between diverse ethnicities, social strata and male/female-gendered environments in various spaces such as organisations, communities and schools. I am involved in social activities that seek to impact communities progressively. These include women empowerment, early childhood education and capacity building amongst the youth," she said.
Background
Her journey through life has been defined by her unceasing commitment to building bridges of unity across diverse communities. She serves as a catalyst for change in various spaces, whether within organisations, local communities or educational institutions.
Schultz attended Holy Cross Convent, then Delta Secondary School Windhoek, and finally the University of Namibia.
She brings a wealth of experience, as her academic achievements include a double major in media with specialisations in public relations and visual arts.
She is also a jack of all trades, having specialised in fashion before pursuing a diploma in education with a concentration on early childhood development. She is also a product of the African Leadership Institute, where she learnt to be "a servant leader with the gift of exhortation".
Meanwhile, this trained beauty therapist takes pleasure in practicing on those with curly, coily hair and, as an executive mentor, she provides tools and coaching to comprehensively enhance life skills with a focus on entrepreneurship and job creation.
She educates companies to accomplish their diversity and inclusion goals by creating mentorship programmes for leaders.
Schultz is a 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow who earned a leadership in business degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Finally, she is the organizer of TEDx Vineta Women, the first TEDx women in Namibia in nearly 40 years.
"Our goal is to help move the conversation about the power of girls and women forward and bring about much-needed change," she said.
"Diversity and inclusion are fundamental ideals for us; at our inaugural event, one of our presenters was a member of the deaf community."
She also provides leaders with ideas for developing a compelling personal brand and coaching for speaking."
As if all that wasn't enough, she is on the project steering committee of Trade Forward Southern Africa (TFSA), a programme aimed to reduce poverty across the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACU M) by boosting the scale and quality of trade within the union and with the United Kingdom.
Schultz has trained three cohorts of entrepreneurs under TFSA to provide them with the knowledge they need to successfully trade their items.
She is also the co-founder of the consulting firm Akoma Trading.
A great future for all
"It is critical for young people to cultivate relationships that allow them to advance their careers and have a positive impact on their countries and the African continent as a whole."
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, for example, provides participants with a unique blend of leadership development, academic and professional growth, networking opportunities and tools to effect positive change in their communities, she said.
"The programme experiences are valuable assets that can lead to personal and professional success while also leaving a lasting impact on society."
Schultz's story is an inspiring reminder that each of us has the potential to create the life we want to live, to be a servant leader and to make a lasting impact on our communities and beyond.
Through her journey, she has shown that with determination, education, mentorship and a heart dedicated to service, the youth can truly shape their destinies and become leaders who inspire positive change in the world.