20 Under 40 | Jolie Lippitt
Written and compiled by LAUREN JURGENSEN | Photos by JOHN BURN
Founder & CEO | P&V Consulting & Advocacy Group
Through P&V Consulting & Advocacy Group, Jolie provides mentorship, training, policy consulting and advocacy to amplify marginalized voices and help others find healing and opportunity. She mentors at-risk youth, supports families in crisis and builds programs that focus on equity and empowerment. She has helped women leave cycles of abuse, supported individuals reentering society after incarceration and brought life-saving resources to vulnerable populations.
Jolie ran for Topeka City Council, District 1, and while the outcome was not what she had hoped for, she is profoundly grateful for the support, encouragement and love shown throughout this journey. She remains steadfast in her commitment to building a community where every person is supported.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I have a strong vision for reformed policies that can comfortably integrate people like me into our systems, which are so broken. Not a single step of my journey has been easy and because of this, I believe that my life’s work is to make it easy for everyone else coming in behind me.
What book has inspired you lately?
I recently read “Three Cups of Tea,” a memoir by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It’s about a mountaineer who attempted to climb K2 mountain in rural Pakistan. He almost died but was rescued by a remote indigenous tribe. It’s the ultimate tale of adversity turning into something magical. It helped me learn to trust my own path and to stay focused, stay humble and trust the process.
How do you keep yourself motivated during challenging times?
My grandparents were Indian Residential Boarding School survivors. My grandpa Ernie was a language keeper and he suffered immense abuse for carrying his language and ways for future generations. When I’m dealing with adversity or tough times, I remember that he endured extremely harsh conditions and did so for the benefit of people he may never meet. When I get discouraged or feel stuck, I remember that.
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