Iona R. Rudisill
Iona (i-o-na) Rudisill is the #1 bestselling co-author of Phenomenal Women Who Boss Up and CEO of Iona R. Rudisill, LLC. She empowers high-achieving leaders in public service, experiencing burnout, to find a healthy balance in their lives.
Iona has been a lifelong leader in the public sector, a survivor of a traumatic brain injury and is thriving through her experiences with burnout. For three decades, Iona guided teams across the country that provided support to youth and families surviving traumatic experiences. In 2018, she received a Governor’s Citation for advocating against human trafficking in Maryland.
While these intense roles contributed to Iona’s burnout, they were not the sole cause. Burnout, isn’t linear; it often stems from a complex and layered set of factors (e.g. spiritual, emotional, systemic) that build over time and reach far beneath the surface. So, she launched her business to build a community for other executives to explore their vulnerability and power as strength. She partners with women and men across the globe, creating a positive ripple effect for their families and communities.
She overcomes chronic pain, by embodying the core values of her 4 “Ws” of wellness: Wholeness, Willpower, Wisdom and Worthiness. She uses these values to guide high-achieving leaders in finding healing, clarity and purpose. Rooted in her Shinnecock Indian heritage, she embraces the principle of Mamoweenene (We Move Together). This ancestral principle drives her to unite with others in breaking barriers and cultivating a legacy of strength, resilience and triumph.
Education
Iona received her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University and her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation education from Pennsylvania State University. She is presently enrolled in the #1 Health Coaching Certification Program in the world (Institute for Integrative Nutrition), class of 2025. Using this link to take a course https://sldr.page.link/BiaDh
Iona also writes wellness articles, hosts podcasts and delivers motivational speaking. If you’re ready to transform burnout into power book Iona for your next engagement.
My Story
I was a child born and raised in East Hampton, New York, as an African and Native American with Shinnecock Indian Nation traditions. Before I was three years old, I was in and out of the hospital multiple times. My mother was unknowingly abusive towards me through her diagnosis of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
As I had a protective father, it was the home of my paternal grandparents where I felt safe, protected, and loved. In this house, I learned the power of prayer, the importance of faith, and how to use my voice and intellect to stand up for myself and others amid racism and sexism.
As a 19-year-old, I was in a car accident where doctors were about to code me because my heart stopped, yet they told my family that someone else was in the room with them when I began to breathe again. I experienced a skull fracture, broken leg, broken nose, and eye damage with the limited ability to walk correctly, see with clarity, smell with strength, and process cognitively.
As a 23-year-old I received my Master’s in Social Work with a minor in Law from Columbia University while on the Dean’s list.
During a Black History Month Celebration, I was asked to speak about the intersectionality of race, culture, and ethnicity with abuse and neglect.
Having a desire to provide services to children in the United States and around the world, during my 2nd missions trip to South Africa, I had the opportunity to be a part of a delegation that worked on community projects such as supporting the Sinethemba Children’s Care Centre (Orphanage).
I became the first Lead Forensic Interviewer at Baltimore Child Abuse Center (a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center) after being a forensic interviewer for years.
After decades of believing that it was not God’s will for me to be married, I married a man of faith who demonstrated the pure love of Christ towards me, where I was blessed with a stepdaughter. My husband has been dedicated and supportive towards me and our family.
I was diagnosed with a severely inverted uterus with the limited possibility of giving birth to a healthy child. After having an emergency extraction of an undeveloped fetus, I was blessed to give birth to a healthy son.
I was invited to present two full-day trainings for the Children’s Justice Centers in Hawaii after training around the nation to empower children and families.
Along with other professionals, I was awarded the Governor’s Citation for my tireless commitment to fighting human trafficking and dedicated efforts to combat injustice in support of freedom for all.
Once I accepted that my voice is a gift from God, that I have a message to share, and understood that every woman and mother have immeasurable experiences of value, worth, and dignity, “Iona Speaks about Defending Self-Justice” was launched.
I was able to embrace a new day when I understood that the power of my name was to be shared because Iona means precious jewel, purple stone, and place of refuge. No one is named by chance.
"Phenomenal Women Who Boss Up"
My Core Values
Wholeness: Embracing integrity to achieve a transformative mindset, where vulnerability fuels strength, leading to a life of completeness.
Willpower: Understanding that we are divine image-bearers, equipped with the self-discipline and determination to live purposefully and abundantly.
Wisdom: Utilizing knowledge, and sound judgment to bring thoughtful solutions to personal and collective challenges.
Worthiness: Living boldly with a deep sense of value and dignity, anchored in the truth that justice and equity are inherently deserved.
Join Thousands of Listeners Worldwide
There are no boundaries and no ceilings to how God can move in our lives when we release Him to be limitless beyond our control.
“We may not be able to control the fact that we are by default, vulnerable in this society in this world but we can share our narrative on our terms and use it for connection and empowerment instead of hustling for our worth.”
— Aiko D. Bethea
Receive My Newsletter
Subscribe to receive info on our latest news and episodes.