Meet Tuere Butler

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tuere Butler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tuere, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic was developed and cultivated at home by my parents, who were my first and most influential examples. They instilled this value not only through their words of encouragement, guidance, and correction but also through their actions. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how my mother and father went to work every day, returned home, and seamlessly transitioned from their professional roles to their roles as parents. They set clear boundaries to prioritize what required their attention in the moment and made sacrifices to ensure that everything was accomplished with care and dedication. Their example taught me the importance of commitment, prioritization, and perseverance.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a seasoned executive with a distinguished career spanning nonprofit leadership, government affairs, and organizational development. With over two decades of experience, I’ve consistently led high-performing teams by combining empathy with direct communication, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that drives transformative results across diverse sectors.

My 22 years serving Congressman John Lewis were foundational in honing my leadership skills and work ethic. Rising from a staff assistant to District Director, I managed operations, constituent services, and critical federal agency engagements while advancing impactful legislative priorities and cultivating team development. This experience shaped my ability to navigate complex challenges with purpose and precision.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to inspire and empower others. My drive comes from my own journey of “figuring it out”—leveraging my unique blend of skills to create meaningful impact and pave the way for those who follow. Whether building strategic partnerships, expanding initiatives, or launching new programs, I remain deeply committed to making a lasting difference.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey:

Determining my “Why”: Understanding my purpose has been foundational to my success. Asking myself, “Why do I engage in this work?” and “What is my purpose in this organization?” has guided my decisions and kept me aligned with my values. Having clarity on your “why” gives you the motivation to show up intentionally and with passion.

Striving for Excellence: Excellence is a simple yet powerful principle. Whatever task I take on, I give it my all. My work product represents me, so it’s important that I can be proud of the outcome. Excellence leaves a lasting impression and builds trust in your abilities. My advice? Don’t shortchange yourself—always aim to deliver your best, even in the smallest tasks.

Kindness and Respect: Treating everyone with kindness and respect, from leaders to interns, has been invaluable. Relationships matter, and showing respect to everyone creates an environment of trust and collaboration. Avoid favoritism or unnecessary politics—your true impact comes from how well you perform and how authentically you connect with others.

Advice for those early in their journey:
Take the time to identify your purpose. Focus on delivering quality in everything you do, and never underestimate the power of kindness and respect. These qualities not only shape your reputation but also open doors and create opportunities for meaningful growth.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

In March 2024, I embarked on a mandatory sabbatical from my role as Director of Operations at Plywood People. Initially, stepping away from work for a month felt incredibly challenging. It forced me to confront something I hadn’t prioritized in years: myself.

I had to learn to let go—trusting the capable team I had hired to carry out their responsibilities without my constant oversight. This meant hanging up my “Superwoman” cape, closing the laptop, turning off my phone, and embracing the stillness. It wasn’t easy. The busyness of work and the distractions it brings often shield us from sitting with ourselves and truly being present.

During that time, I learned to be comfortable in the quiet—to prioritize my well-being and spend meaningful time with my family. It was a transformative experience, teaching me that growth doesn’t always come from doing more but sometimes from doing less and allowing yourself to simply be.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuerebutler

Image Credits

Photographer credit (me sitting at desk). is Savannah Shaw