Gabby Pitso is a Dubai-based executive assistant, wellness leader, certified yoga instructor, and youth advocate known for blending corporate precision with holistic impact. Her life’s work reflects quiet strength, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to balance in all areas of life.

Whether she’s organizing boardroom strategies, guiding a breathwork session, or shaping youth policy behind the scenes, Gabby moves with intention and grace.

Quick Facts Table

Early Life and Educational Foundation

Gabby Pitso was born in Southern Africa, where values of service, resilience, and mindfulness shaped her early worldview. Raised in a nurturing yet disciplined environment, she developed a passion for helping others and a love for structured problem-solving.

She graduated from Ravensmead Senior Secondary School in 1998, where her strong work ethic and quiet determination first began to shine.

A Career Rooted in Excellence

Executive Assistant at FTI Delta

For over nine years, Gabby has served as a senior executive assistant at FTI Delta in Dubai, supporting four global partners in a high-performance environment. Her role includes:

• Coordinating complex international travel itineraries
• Managing multi-time-zone executive calendars
• Planning quarterly leadership summits and global events
• Overseeing hotel contracts and external vendor negotiations

Gabby is known not only for her technical skill but also for her emotional intelligence. She anticipates needs, solves challenges calmly, and ensures every process supports the bigger picture.

Corporate Career Journey

Gabby’s journey to FTI Delta is rooted in years of cross-industry experience:

• At Atlantis The Palm, she managed executive schedules and supported luxury brand campaigns.
• At Topaz Energy & Marine, she worked as an office manager, handling travel coordination, policy execution, and operations.
• At Nokia Siemens Networks, she oversaw property and facility management across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Her career has been built on adaptability, excellence, and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments.

Bridging Corporate Life and Holistic Wellness

Certified Yoga Teacher and Wellness Educator

Beyond the boardroom, Gabby is a certified yoga instructor and holistic healer, offering sessions in:

• Yoga and conscious movement
• Meditation and breathwork
• Aromatherapy and sound therapy

Her unique ability to bring mindfulness into the corporate space has helped countless professionals recover from stress, prevent burnout, and rediscover balance.

She leads wellness initiatives in-house and externally, encouraging workplaces to value people—not just performance.

Digital Presence and Athletic Pursuits

Inspiring Through Authenticity

Gabby actively shares her fitness routines and wellness insights online, using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to motivate others through real, relatable content.

Unlike many influencers, her content focuses on real progress, inner alignment, and thoughtful reflection—making her an inspiring voice for quiet achievers.

Policy and Community Advocacy

Quiet Impact, Wide Reach

Gabby Pitso has also contributed to youth development and digital governance efforts across Southern Africa. Her focus areas include:

• Youth-led leadership frameworks
• Data protection and digital rights
• Gender equity and inclusive policy design

Often described as a “quiet force,” Gabby’s contributions are strategic and lasting. She participates in advisory roles, policy think tanks, and cross-border initiatives that shape community resilience and long-term change.

Awards and Recognition

Recognized with awards for outstanding performance and dedication:

• Legend of the Quarter (2013) – Atlantis The Palm
• Legend of the Year, 1st Runner-Up (2014) – Atlantis The Palm

She is also an active lifelong learner, earning LinkedIn Learning certifications in:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Stress Management
• Building Resilience
• Thriving @ Work
• Communication Foundations

These accolades reflect her drive to grow—professionally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Pitso Philosophy

Gabby believes leadership starts from within. Her values include:

• Presence over pressure – Leading through stillness and clarity
• Purpose over popularity – Doing what matters, not what trends
• Balance over burnout – Centering well-being as a foundation, not a luxury

She proves that true leadership doesn’t demand the spotlight—it simply requires intention.

Future Goals and Vision

Gabby’s vision for the next chapter includes:

• Developing a mentorship program blending wellness and leadership
• Hosting international retreats that integrate corporate performance and holistic well-being
• Advancing youth empowerment across Africa through tech, policy, and wellness education
• Publishing reflective content that explores emotional leadership and digital wellness

Conclusion

Gabby Pitso is a rare kind of leader—measured, grounded, and intentional. Her journey is not about grand gestures but lasting contributions: a well-planned meeting, a healing breath, a strategy rooted in empathy.

She is living proof that success and stillness can exist together—and that the best leaders don’t just build systems—they nurture people.

Brooks Prejean was a Louisiana-born biology student at LSU and an Organ Recovery Technician at Southern Eye Bank. Remembered for his compassion, intellect, and quiet strength, Brooks left behind a legacy of kindness and service that continues to inspire those who knew him. Though his life ended in 2024, his story remains a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, mental health, and meaningful contribution.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Character

Brooks Prejean grew up in Louisiana, where he built deep roots in his community. From an early age, he displayed a gentle nature and a deep sense of responsibility—traits that would define his academic and personal life. He was raised in a home where integrity, humility, and service were not only taught but lived.

He began his education at the Episcopal School of Acadiana (ESA), where he quickly became known for his balanced excellence—excelling in both academics and athletics.

Academic Excellence at ESA

Brooks thrived at ESA, where he was a standout student and athlete. He played varsity baseball and basketball, always showing sportsmanship and dedication. More than talent, it was his quiet leadership that made him admired by classmates and teachers alike.

He consistently appeared on the Headmaster’s List and was inducted into the National Honor Society. By graduation in 2021, Brooks had already made a name for himself as someone who led not with words, but with actions.

LSU and a Future in Medicine

After high school, Brooks was accepted into Louisiana State University, where he majored in Biological Sciences. He had aspirations of pursuing a career in medicine—a dream that combined his academic abilities with his desire to help others in meaningful ways.

At LSU, he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he formed close bonds and became known as a calm, loyal friend who showed up for others even when he was quietly carrying the weight of his own responsibilities.

His Role at Southern Eye Bank

While attending LSU, Brooks also served as an Organ Recovery Technician at Southern Eye Bank in Metairie. This critical role involved recovering eye tissue from donors, facilitating corneal transplants that gave recipients the gift of sight.

His work was technical, emotional, and often unseen by the public. Yet Brooks approached it with care, professionalism, and humility. His colleagues spoke of his reliability, his emotional maturity, and his ability to handle complex tasks with both clinical precision and heartfelt compassion.

💔 A Tragic and Unexpected Loss

Brooks passed away by suicide on September 15, 2024, at just 21. His sudden loss deeply affected family, friends, colleagues, and peers.

His death revealed how even those who seem strongest on the outside may be silently struggling. Brooks was, by all appearances, thriving: succeeding in school, building strong relationships, and serving others through his job. Yet, like so many young people, he faced invisible internal battles that ultimately became overwhelming.

What Happened to Brooks Prejean?

The circumstances of Brooks’ passing remain personal to his family, but it is known that he died by suicide. His loss sparked a broader conversation on the critical need for mental health awareness, especially among students, healthcare workers, and young adults facing pressure to succeed without showing vulnerability.

His story reinforces the truth that mental health struggles can affect anyone—no matter how composed or accomplished they may seem.

A Community’s Grief and Tribute

Following his passing, tributes poured in—most notably from his former school, ESA, which honored his memory with deep respect. LSU students and fraternity brothers posted emotional messages. Coworkers at Southern Eye Bank shared memories of his dedication and warmth.

A GoFundMe campaign was established to support his family and honor his life, with hundreds of people donating in remembrance of the difference Brooks made in their lives.

A Life of Service, Even in Silence

What made Brooks special was not only what he did—but how he did it. Whether recovering tissue for a transplant, lending a hand to a fraternity brother, or quietly excelling in class, he gave his best with humility.

Brooks didn’t chase attention—his quiet actions spoke volumes. His life was guided by meaning, not applause.

The Mental Health Message We Must Embrace

Brooks’ story underscores an urgent message: success, kindness, and strength can exist alongside silent struggles. We must:

• Destigmatize mental health conversations
• Check in on friends, even those who “seem fine”
• Expand access to mental health support for students and early-career professionals
• Normalize seeking help without shame

His passing is a painful but important reminder that mental health care must be as routine and respected as physical health.

How We Can Honor Brooks’ Legacy

Honoring Brooks means choosing kindness, empathy, and meaningful action in everyday life. We can honor his life by:

• Supporting organ and tissue donation
• Funding or volunteering in mental health organizations
• Creating spaces for honest, stigma-free conversations
• Practicing empathy—especially when no one else is looking

Brooks showed us that small acts of care can change lives. Now, we carry that forward.

Final Reflections

Brooks Prejean lived with grace, empathy, and quiet strength. In just 21 years, he inspired a network of classmates, coworkers, family, and friends. His story is both a call to action and a reminder that even in silence, people can be carrying heavy burdens.

We remember Brooks not for how his life ended, but for how he lived—with integrity, purpose, and deep love for those around him.

Let his memory challenge us all: to be gentler, to listen more closely, and to honor the quiet heroes whose presence makes the world better, even if they never say a word about it.

Jade Venison is a British-born fashion executive and the Sales & Merchandising Director at Nation LTD in Los Angeles. With over 15 years in the industry, she is known for merging eco-conscious values with data-driven merchandising in today’s fast-evolving retail world.

Her expertise lies in sustainable fashion leadership, wholesale strategy, and market-responsive design curation, making her a standout figure in the Los Angeles fashion industry.

Early Career Foundations (2008–2010)

Jade’s professional journey began in retail, where she joined H&M as a Sales Associate from 2008 to 2010. Working for one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, she learned essential business mechanics: inventory systems, customer service, and trend responsiveness.

This entry-level role wasn’t just about folding clothes—it taught her the foundation of scalable operations, consumer behavior, and store-level merchandising. These lessons would quietly shape her executive mindset.

Building a Legacy at Ted Baker (2010–2021)

In 2010, Jade Venison joined Ted Baker, a British brand globally known for sophisticated, statement-driven apparel. Over the next 11 years, she carved a powerful trajectory through various wholesale sales positions.

From Assistant Sales Guardian to US Wholesale Head of Sales for Women’s Apparel and Accessories, she led:

• Strategic partnerships across U.S. retailers
• Sales forecasting and seasonal budgeting
• Product development aligned with regional markets
• Cross-functional merchandising rollouts

Jade was instrumental in expanding Ted Baker’s U.S. footprint, helping elevate the brand’s presence in a competitive American retail landscape. Her results-driven leadership, intuitive product knowledge, and trend forecasting made her a go-to expert in wholesale sales strategy.

The Transition to Nation LTD (2022–Present)

In January 2022, Jade joined Nation LTD, a rising women’s wear label focused on sustainable design and timeless comfort. The following year, she was appointed Sales & Merchandising Director—a role that sits at the heart of the company’s operational and creative strategy.

At Nation LTD, Jade oversees:

• Wholesale account management
• Merchandising calendar planning
• Market-driven sales strategies
• Product-line assortments that match consumer demand

She ensures the brand’s collections are not only beautiful and wearable—but also sustainable and purpose-driven.

Sustainability at the Core

Nation LTD stands out for its sustainability-first ethos, which Jade passionately supports. The brand uses:

• Organic cotton and eco-conscious fabrics
• Low-waste production methods
• Ethical labor and localized manufacturing

Jade ensures that every sales decision respects the brand’s values—aligning merchandising timelines with environmental priorities and buyer expectations.

She frequently collaborates with the design and marketing teams to maintain consistency in storytelling across campaigns and retail channels.

“Great fashion isn’t just beautiful—it’s responsible. I believe in collections that last, teams that grow, and stories that matter.”
— Jade Venison

A Leader in Sustainable Fashion Merchandising

Jade’s current role positions her at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and sustainability. She brings together numbers and nuance—balancing stock counts and retail trends with lasting brand vision.

Her work at Nation LTD reflects:

• Merchandising excellence with minimal environmental impact
• Wholesale leadership in eco-conscious women’s fashion
• Strong brand partnerships with premium retailers
• Consumer education around ethical fashion choices

She is a model for what modern leadership in fashion merchandising looks like—purposeful, analytical, and adaptive.

Emerging Thought Leadership

Jade is gaining recognition within the industry as a thought leader in sustainable retail strategy. While not yet a frequent public speaker, she is invited to contribute to internal brand panels and external fashion discussions focused on:

• Conscious consumerism
• Wholesale innovation
• The future of women’s fashion retail

As Nation LTD continues to grow, her visibility in these arenas is expected to increase.

Mentorship and Team Culture

Jade Venison doesn’t lead with ego—she leads with intention. At Nation LTD, she’s known for fostering a team-first culture, where junior staff receive coaching and mentorship and where collaboration between departments is the norm.

She works closely with designers, marketers, and operations to ensure everyone is aligned. Whether guiding merchandising interns or helping senior buyers craft next-season assortments, her presence is steady and supportive.

Quick Timeline: Jade Venison’s Career

Career Highlights at a Glance

Looking Ahead

With her eye on the future, Jade continues to lead Nation LTD through a time of immense growth. As fashion consumers demand greater transparency and responsibility, her ability to bridge style and sustainability will be even more critical.

She is positioning Nation LTD not just as a clothing brand—but as a lifestyle choice for those who care about impact and individuality.

Final Thoughts

Jade Venison story is one of steady growth, quiet leadership, and meaningful impact. She has reshaped what it means to succeed in fashion—showing that integrity and innovation can go hand in hand.

From H&M sales floors to executive boardrooms in Los Angeles, she exemplifies the evolution of a fashion merchandising expert. As the industry races forward, Jade brings it back to what matters: timeless design with heart and purpose.