Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Chaplin
Hi Rhonda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How it started: A Calling Rooted in Leadership and Service
As a native New Yorker, my professional journey began and flourished for over 20 years in Corporate Human Resources (HR) leading teams of over 15 to bring services to 20,000+ employees located in more than 1,000 locations in the US and Canada. Early on, I recognized a calling to develop others, going beyond traditional HR roles to focus on helping people and organizations align with their core values. This passion led me to focus on transforming Human Resources into a catalyst for organizational advancement. It became the driving force behind Br8k Free Strategies, where I work to align HR practices with a values-based approach that strengthens cultures and leaders while fostering growth across organizations.
My Pivotal Moment: Incorporating Holistic and Faith-Based Development
A few pivotal shifts brought me to where I am today. One of these defining moments was my evolution from Human Resources to Organizational Development with a focus on Vision Building. This shift deepened my commitment to spiritual and holistic growth and allowed me to support faith-based leaders and communities through my work. Additionally, personal transitions added a profound layer to my mission of emboldening others to live free, fully, and purposefully.
Expanding into a Holistic Growth Hub
Over time, my career expanded to encompass more than just organizational development. I founded Favored Together, an online community focused on growth, community and cultivating catalysts for change. This has become a platform for personal, professional, and spiritual development, incorporating programs like Armored Up! Spheres of Impact, roundtables, virtual coaching sessions and more. My firm now focuses on creating a holistic growth journey, offering programs with collaborative partners that cater to multiple aspects of development, including financial literacy, soft skills training, bible study, professional advancement, and impactful transformation.
My Mission Today: Shaping Cultures and Transforming Leaders
Today, as the CEO of an HR Development and Advancement firm, my mission is deeply rooted in strategic, values-based leadership. I focus on shaping people, values, and purposes through programs like Prescriptive Development, Leaders’ Care Ministry, and Creator of Cultures™. This work reflects a unique commitment to emboldening leaders across various spheres and industries. I’m committed to creating lasting, transformative change, not only in the lives of the individuals I coach, but also within the broader communities.
From coaching to community building, my core philosophy is, “Choose wisely. Challenge mindsets. Change outcomes,” which encapsulates my approach to leadership. Every step of my journey has reinforced this commitment to strategic decision-making, growth-oriented mindsets, and impactful transformation.
So, whether on site or working virtually with clients, my mission is simple – helping leaders not only lead but transform. While I tend to wear many hats to guide them, there is one thing that has remained constant from the time I entered the service industry. I may not have all the answers or many letters that follow my name, but with every interaction, through my actions, communication and love of what I am purposed to do, I will always introduce individuals to a friend of mine, who happens to carry more letters and credentials after His name. Therefore….may I introduce you to a friend of mine….
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has certainly not been smooth, and there have been moments of deep personal challenge and heartache. One of the hardest parts of my journey was losing my older sister, suddenly in August 2021, four weeks after we celebrated her 50th birthday, followed by the passing of my father in April 2023, 5 months after we celebrated his 80th birthday on a 14-day cruise. These losses were incredibly difficult and left a lasting impact on my life and work. Not only did they bring immense grief, but they also forced me to reevaluate and reconnect with my purpose, both personally and professionally.
The passing of my father also meant moving to a new state to support my mother and start a new chapter, which came with its own challenges of transition. Uprooting my life in the midst of grief and uncertainty, while still showing up for my clients and team, tested my resilience and required me to lean into my values and faith in ways I hadn’t before.
These experiences have only strengthened my dedication to emboldening others. They reminded me of the importance of living fully, supporting one another, and building communities where people feel empowered to navigate life’s hardships. Each of these struggles has shaped me and deepened my commitment to creating spaces for healing, growth, and purposeful advancement, especially through my work in Favored Together and Esther’s Rising Ministries.
While it hasn’t been an easy road, these struggles have been integral to the work I do today, helping me connect with those who are also facing their own challenges and helping them find strength and resilience on their journeys.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Br8k Free Strategies, LLC?
My business is all about creating meaningful growth and transformation for individuals, teams, and communities. I wear many hats—leading Br8k Free Strategies for HR and leadership advancement/development, building community through Favored Together for leadership development, and providing spiritual guidance through Esther’s Rising Ministries. Each of these roles allows me to bring a unique perspective and range of services to those I work with.
Through Br8k Free Strategies, I bring over 25 years of corporate HR and values-based leadership experience to organizations, helping them align their culture and strategies with their core values. My focus is on holistic development, providing a tailored approach that goes beyond traditional HR. This approach guides people and organizations to identify and implement strategies that genuinely reflect their mission and values, whether it’s through prescriptive development plans, succession planning, or organizational advancement.
In addition to Br8k Free Strategies, I run Favored Together, a vibrant community dedicated to leadership development and holistic growth. Through Favored Together, I host programs like Armored Up! Spheres of Impact and offer resilience coaching and strategic development sessions. The goal is to empower and embolden leaders to grow in all areas of life—professionally, personally, financially, and spiritually—through collaborative learning, resilience coaching, and accountability. This community truly embodies the spirit of purposeful advancement and transformative growth.
Additionally, my care ministry, Esther’s Rising Ministries, is central to my work and life. Focused on discipleship, mentorship, and holistic care, this ministry offers a space for leaders to receive the guidance, support, and encouragement they need in their spiritual journey. Through confidential therapeutic services and trauma-informed care, we provide a safe, nurturing environment where individuals can explore healing and spiritual growth.
What sets me apart is the way my services integrate purpose, values, and strategic growth across all areas of life. Each offering is designed to not only build skills but to embolden people to live and lead with intention, resilience, and faith. Brand-wise, I’m most proud of our holistic approach. We don’t just address one aspect of development; we work to advance individuals, teams, and organizations in a way that is sustainable, values-driven, and deeply transformative.
For readers, my message is this: If you’re looking to grow in a way that reflects who you are at your core, our services are designed for you. Whether through Br8k Free Strategies in an organizational setting, Favored Together for community and leadership growth, or Esther’s Rising Ministries for spiritual care, I am committed to walking alongside those who are ready to choose wisely, challenge mindsets, and change outcomes.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the coming decade the learning and development industry will transform from simply sharing information to fostering strategic, personalized growth that aligns individual and organizational purpose.
I believe this strategic, purpose-driven model will emphasize both personalized and experiential learning. Organizations will prioritize curated learning paths, tailored to individual needs through AI and machine learning, while moving away from information overload. This evolution will integrate hands-on, outcome-driven learning that directly ties to business performance, fostering a continuous learning culture that supports both personal and professional growth.
A major focus will be on developing soft skills, values-driven cultures, and holistic growth as automation takes over routine tasks, creating a demand for emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience. By aligning learning with both individual values and company purposes, organizations will attract talent and enhance employee engagement. Ultimately, this new era will be defined by strategic HR leaders, personalized learning experiences that prepare individuals and organizations to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing, meaning-focused marketplace.
In my opinion, rather than simply push information, the focus will be on cultivating environments where people learn by doing, receive guidance tailored to their personal and professional aspirations, and grow in alignment with their values and those of their organization. The leaders and organizations that embrace this strategic shift will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly complex and purpose-driven marketplace. I’m happy to say my clients are positioned and ready for this transformation!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RhondaChaplin.com
- Instagram: @rhondachaplin; @favoredtogether
- Facebook: @rhondachaplin; @favoredtogether
Image Credits
Leticia Andrade Photography
