Meet Dr. Jacque Colbert | HR Executive | Nonprofit Founder | U.S. Army Veteran

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jacque Colbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jacque, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Balancing my role as Managing Director of HR with leading a nonprofit is demanding, but my purpose keeps me grounded. It’s not just about passion or fundraising—it’s about building a mission that impacts lives, fosters meaningful relationships, and creates a lasting legacy.

Some outsiders may not know that one gains several fungible skills from a corporate perspective that lends itself well to nonprofit work. An equally important element is that most corporations, particularly mine, appreciate my focus on meaningfully giving back to the community.

Now, while managing the strategic demands of my career alongside the nonprofit’s strategic and operational needs can be challenging, the drive to support breast cancer patients and work toward a cancer-free world makes every effort deeply rewarding.

Dr. Maya Angelou once said, ‘We cannot go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands—we must give back.’ As a 16-year breast cancer survivor, this quote resonates deeply with me. It reflects not only my journey but also my life’s purpose. Giving back—whether through my nonprofit or in my corporate role—is about creating a legacy that impacts lives, fosters meaningful relationships, and ensures we leave the world better than we found it. Our lives gain true meaning when we leave at least one hand open to give, catching and throwing in equal measure.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
– What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to purpose-driven leadership. As a seasoned HR executive, nonprofit founder, and proud U.S. Army veteran, I’ve dedicated my life to empowering others—whether it’s supporting individuals through their cancer journey, mentoring future leaders, or giving back to the community through education and advocacy, I stand firm in my convictions of always maintaining a people-first approach.

– I’m most proud of the lives I’ve touched, both in the corporate world and through my nonprofit, which provides vital support to men and women navigating the challenges of cancer. My journey to where I am today was far from easy. It’s been shaped by resilience, hard work, and the values instilled in me during my formative years as an immigrant to the US, my military service: perseverance, service, and integrity.

– Through the challenges, I’ve learned that true leadership is about elevating others, and success is measured by the impact one leaves behind. My story is one of transformation—building bridges between business, community, and humanity to inspire meaningful change. I want the world to know that my work is fueled by a passion for making a difference, and I’m committed to creating a legacy of hope, empowerment, and opportunity for all.

Additional questions answered by Dr. Jacque Colbert

1. What was your thought process behind starting your business?

Sipping PositiviTEA™ began as a platform blending positivity with small luxury, offering items that encouraged moments of joy and self-care. As a 16-year breast cancer survivor, I realized my journey had equipped me to do more.

The business evolved into a nonprofit focused on raising awareness, providing financial assistance, and collaborating with organizations to fight breast & cancer. This transformation allowed me to align my work with my values of empowerment, resilience, and creating meaningful change for those navigating challenges like I once did.

2. Work-life balance: how has your balance changed over time? What do you think about the balance?

I believe that one can achieve balance through intentional planning, but let me be 100% transparent: balancing is challenging. Like most business professionals/entrepreneurs, the balancing act is more about managing the ebbs and flows of life.

For me, life isn’t just about working, working, working—it’s also about creating space for the other critical things that matter, like my family, health, spirituality, and other passion projects.

There are days and weeks when I am off-balanced and others when things align in a state of FLOW. So, to create purpose and balance, I always try to prioritize moments to unplug, connect with loved ones, focus on my goals, and recharge. This mix keeps me grounded and enables me to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

By making time for every aspect of life, I’ve learned that true balance isn’t about doing it all at once but being fully present in whatever you’re doing.

3. Risk-taking: how do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I see risk-taking as an essential part of growth and progress. Throughout my career, I’ve embraced opportunities that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, knowing that each new role or experience was a chance to learn, grow, and improve.

From joining the military, which was never in my initial career goals, to transitioning between industries to taking on key leadership positions at various companies, the risks I’ve taken have always been grounded in a belief that there’s room to learn, make a difference evolve, shaping me into the leader I am today.

4. What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

The most important factor behind my success—and the success of Sipping PositiviTEA™—has been staying genuine and leading with an open heart. My commitment to truly helping people, without any hidden agenda, has helped to build trust and fostered meaningful relationships.

I’ve always believed that a brand rooted in compassion, authenticity, and a genuine desire to uplift others is the key to long-term success. It’s not just about what you offer- it is equally critical around “how” you show up and the impact you make in changing lives. I would also quote Dr. Maya Angelou in saying, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

5. Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?

There is a single decision that I have made to shape my success; however, a key inflection point was my decision to join the United States Army at an early age. Serving my country was done with pride, and it became my game-changer.

6. What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?

I want people to remember me as a genuine love bug, a positive energy shifter, focused on driving meaningful change and showing up to support others at the times that it was most important to them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ooooh- weeee- Well, I love a good spot where the food is good, and the vibe is LIT. So, for starters, I’d say, Lucilles or Graces on Kirby for brunch. Dinner would be Eddie Vs or Del Friscos. For full relaxation, Milk and Honey or the Houstonian. I would also give a nod to NIMS Med Spa a black-owned spa for a number of beauty/health and wellness options. And, for sure, we’d indulge in a few Caribbean spots for Guyanes, Trini, or Jamaican goodies. Lastly, we’d look for good, good Reggae/Soca vibes to wind down to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who I need to give a shoutout to. It really takes a village, and so from my life partner in love and progress, my daughter, siblings, and my sisterhood. I truly could not do what I do without each of them. Along those same lines, it is equally important for me to dedicate this piece to all breast cancer thrivers and survivors out there whose bold stories of courage help others to power on with grit and grace.

Website: www.sippingpositivitea.org OR www.jacquecolbert.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjacquecolbert/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquecolbert

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.JacqueColbert

Image Credits
Main Picture Credits: Jaio Photography

Event Pictures Credits: Kai Dunna