At The Core: Spotlight on Juliet Abdel
JULIET ABDEL, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER TOPEKA CHAMBER
JULIET ABDEL
President
Greater Topeka Chamber
ABOUT JULIET ABDEL
Juliet Abdel’s influence extends nationally, serving as a director on the governing body of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and contributing to the Advisory Council for the Leadership Program of the Rockies.
Juliet is a charter member of the Rocky Mountain Alumni Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma Multi-Cultural Sorority and has been a dedicated spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red program since 2021 and Women Heart since 2022.
Juliet has served on the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors as an Institute Regent, the United Nations Association in Oklahoma City Chapter, and various other boards dedicated to inclusivity and community development.
Armed with a master’s degree in international studies, specializing in development, society, and education from Oklahoma State University, Juliet has authored publications on female empowerment and entrepreneurship.
MARTIN: Today I’m sitting down with Juliet Abdel, president of the Greater Topeka Chamber. Juliet, this is a prominent moment for you. You’re the first woman president of the chamber.
ABDEL: I’m a minority woman who followed the chamber industry path under a CEO who also broke that ceiling, so I’m even more proud to have followed what my mentor had done.
MARTIN: How does it feel to create history?
ABDEL: Fabulous. It’s inspiring to know that I’m leaving that legacy for others.
MARTIN: You’re from Oklahoma City and have been there most of your life.
ABDEL: I’m half Okie, half Yankee. I was born in the Big Apple and grew up in Queens before moving to Oklahoma. At Oklahoma State University, I pursued a master’s degree in international studies with a focus on development and education. I started working at the (Oklahoma) state capitol where I was part of the legislative process. After grad school, I moved into chamber work because I knew I wanted to pursue it as my career.
MARTIN: Why did you choose that industry?
ABDEL: My background includes policy, development, micro crediting and lending. The chamber is an economic development agency that helps businesses and people become more economically mobile.
My mom and I co-owned a grocery store, and we didn’t work with our chamber. Our local chamber was around, but we didn’t understand what a chamber of commerce does. There’s so much value in having those resources. I’m fulfilling my purpose when I know I’m helping someone else.
MARTIN: Economic development is big for small business communities like Topeka.
ABDEL: You want to start a business, but you don’t have a playbook. How do we get the word out to them and communicate the ways they can grow and thrive? I’ve seen that in the economic development and public policy work we do. It’s about the full scope of what can support businesses and help them break barriers.
MARTIN: Tell me about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
ABDEL: Something I did before joining the Greater Topeka Partnership was to see what it stood for. Our core value is equity in everything we do. We know that businesses are not immune to their community and vice versa. What we do in commerce affects our residents, and our residents affect our businesses. The partnership embodies many DEI values in the priorities we have in Momentum 2027. It’s not restricted to one department, and that’s how it should be.
MARTIN: Talk about your journey to Topeka.
ABDEL: I found a community (in Oklahoma) that was already tackling amazing things, and I hitched my wagon. After Oklahoma, I went to a chamber in Colorado that was only three years old. I grew it and ensured our presence was felt at the city, county and state levels. Once I’d made that organization better, the Greater Topeka Chamber was calling me next.
MARTIN: Why should people trust that the work you’re doing is for them?
ABDEL: One of my goals is to be visible in the community. I can’t know the community’s needs and wants without connecting to people. Business owners often don’t know where to go or how to access help. I want to be that person who walks into your business and has a one-on-one with you. There’s no one who can’t learn from their community.
MARTIN: What influences your professional development?
ABDEL: My mentor pushed me into professional development. She would come into my office and say, “Hey, we’ve got this conference next month. You’re speaking about young professionals.” I didn’t have a choice, but it was for the best. I was connecting with peers and seeing what other communities are all about, including their pitfalls. You don’t have to make the same mistake as someone else.
As the world changes, you have to adapt. The only way to do that is to grow your network, mindset and space.
MARTIN: What challenges do you see ahead that you want to tackle?
ABDEL: Our CEO once used the phrase “toxic negativity,” the mindset that there aren’t many good things about our community in Topeka. Then I started meeting with people, and their perspectives have been amazing.
I heard someone at an event ask their peer, “Aren’t you in Topeka often?” Their peer responded, “Not if I don’t have to be.” When I asked him about it, he said, “It’s actually gotten better over the last eight years. There have been more projects and progress in the community.”
You can’t be stuck in the past when things are happening. When you live somewhere, it’s hard to see what’s new. You’re conditioned to live and work and not notice those changes.
MARTIN: What about work is important to you?
ABDEL: I have core values. My faith, then my family. I’m a first-generation American. My parents are proud of everything they’ve put their heart and soul into after coming to another country. When I call my dad, the first thing he says is, “Have you started running for Congress yet?” You want to make them proud, but you also want them to know how to access opportunities.
MARTIN: How do you choose a job?
ABDEL: Everything I do is with intention. If there’s no purpose behind it, it may not be for me. I’m a two-time aneurysm survivor. I view life differently than someone younger because I know tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Those health scares pushed my sense of urgency. What are the reasons you’re here? It should fuel what you get involved in. Talk the talk and walk it as well.
MARTIN: Your health scares must have been difficult.
ABDEL: My aneurysms were my biggest blessing. I changed my life because of them. Most professionals keep working even when we’re not feeling well. I did that for two weeks while having debilitating migraines. Doctors pushed my concerns aside and misdiagnosed me. I’m a big proponent of self-advocacy. I pushed back, but I eventually had to rush to the emergency room because it was getting worse.
MARTIN: What were you thinking in that moment?
ABDEL: I couldn’t open my eyes anymore. My friend took me to the hospital and it was a unique experience. A doctor did scans and told me I’d suffered an aneurysm triggered by stress.
MARTIN: One of your passions is speaking about that situation in the context of women’s empowerment. Why is that important?
ABDEL: I’ve been passionate about women’s empowerment since I was younger. My mom is a very strong and independent woman. I wanted to embody that. Women take on so much and many of us feel guilty for taking care of ourselves. I mean, studies show that close to 50% of women feel guilty for stopping to check on their health and wellness. I survived two aneurysms so I could help women and anyone who isn’t prioritizing their health and wellness. When I started in the industry, I heard stories about chamber executives or CEOs who passed away at their desk from heart attacks. You shouldn’t neglect health. You’re here to live, not living to work.
MARTIN: You’re in a powerful position, but you’ve gone through things that many can relate to.
ABDEL: That’s one of my strengths. There’s probably nothing you’ve been through that I can’t relate to, and that’s a good thing. Our similarities can drive how we work together and understand one another. You can read someone’s resume, but it doesn’t tell you who they are. As women, it’s important to set the stage for others. The more we speak to our differences, the more we find how similar we are.
MARTIN: Where can local businesses go to find resources?
ABDEL: The partnership has a small business council and GO Topeka assists with incentives, funding opportunities, angel investors, innovation and diversity.
MARTIN: What’s next for you?
ABDEL: I’ve got the next three years planned for what I want to achieve for the chamber. You have to continue learning and growing. It’s not about the next shiny thing, it’s about the next thing that can help me in the present.
MARTIN: What keeps you motivated?
ABDEL: When I had my aneurysm, I started focusing on my physical and mental wellbeing. I have affirmative practices I do daily, like walking and drinking a lot of water.
MARTIN: How do you keep a sharp mindset?
ABDEL: I completely disconnect after my last thing for the day. If I check emails, it’s to monitor them. I don’t touch them until morning. If I do, I’ll never recharge.
MARTIN: Juliet, thank you so much for speaking with me and letting the community get to know you.
