Rotary leader uses power of storytelling

Jennifer Jones, the first female president of Rotary International, has shed light on the key traits required to lead the 117-year-old organization, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Jones, a Canadian from Windsor, her dedication and the power of storytelling proved to be indispensable in her role. As the leader of Rotary International, Jones relied on her authentic and genuine communication style, as well as her commitment to providing vulnerable leadership, to navigate through the challenging times.

She attributed her success to the fact that, at times, the circumstances were perfect. Jones emphasized that her communication skills were crucial as the organization emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with The Korea Times at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Seoul, she spoke about the importance of ensuring that people did not feel isolated during the pandemic.

Jones highlighted that even in solitude, it was possible to connect across nations, continue doing good, and support one another. During the pandemic, Rotary utilized the infrastructure previously established to combat polio, one of its most successful initiatives, to assist individuals in accessing treatment, vaccines, and essential materials like masks across more than 70 nations.

Jones noted that Rotary was designed to tackle challenging situations, and she added that her leadership was precisely what was needed in such times.