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Women of Distinction

would encourage them to acknowledge Diego and I was the first African American active in several community initiatives.
their pain, understand that what hap- Director of the Children’s Services Division Seeing someone that has achieved
pened to them was not their fault, and in Riverside County.” so much in life, someone that raised a
take the necessary steps to heal. Through- Today, Dr. Mercadel serves as the Chief child as a single parent while working
out her journey, some people that are not Operating Officer of the Urban Corps of and attending school full-time, some-
ready to hear her story have met her with San Diego County and absolutely loves one that beat so many odds to earn her
praise as well as rejection. Nevertheless, her position. The organization assist un- college degree and then to take it even
she continues to move forward. Child- derserved, low-income adults ages 18-26. further to the level of Master of Arts and
hood sexual abuse is a long-held secret Established 30 years ago in San Diego and a Doctorate, both which were completed
in many families and has resulted in modeled after the California Conservation while she was working full-time, is so
generations of pain. She has made the de- Corps, the work-learn program allows inspirational to other women that have
cision to tell her story and share her truth young men and women to complete experienced challenges in their lives. Dr.
with the hopes that at least one predator Brown-Mercadel stated, “Sometimes peo-
can be stopped, and her story can give ple see you in a position as an executive
women, both young and old, the courage or see that you have advanced degrees
to speak up about their abuse. and feel you must have had a privileged
In addition to her passion for men- life. I would like others to understand that
toring and motivational speaking, Dr. I went through a lot of hardships in my
Brown Mercadel is a Gallup certified life and I was determined to persevere,
strengths-based leadership coach. She and they can too. I was able to turn the
is also certified to deliver the Gallup childhood trauma I experienced into the
Discovery course that is designed to teach fuel that drove me to accept nothing less
organizational leaders how to focus on than success. One of the main reasons I
building strong teams, promote employ- started Mercadel Consulting Solutions
ee engagement, and advance customer was to have the opportunity to reach
satisfaction. She has applied the Gallup women through motivational speaking
concepts to several organizations, most and empowerment activities”.
recently spearheading the development Having been a childhood sexual abuse
of a leadership development program for survivor myself, I applaud Dr. Brown Mer-
600 managers, supervisors, and execu- cadel’s bravery in speaking on this topic
tives in Riverside County. In addition to and sharing her own personal experienc-
her 20+ years of executive leadership she es with a world of women who feel that
holds a Master of Arts and Doctorate in they are alone in this arena.
Organizational Leadership. In 2018 she As a closing question, I had to ask Dr.
launched Mercadel Consulting Solutions Brown Mercadel what she would want to
and provides individual coaching, exec- their high school diploma while earning a leave our readers with, and she did not
utive coaching, leadership development, paycheck and learning transferrable em- disappoint with these very important
and motivational speaking services. ployment skills. Projects include environ- closing comments. “What I would want
Dr. Brown-Mercadel’s career path has mental services, habitat restoration, tree to get across to your readers is that we as
been filled with various positions in public planting, construction projects, recycling, women have the power to accomplish
service over the past 36 years. She spent and community improvement projects. anything we want to accomplish. We are
the first 15 years of her career working She manages the day-to-day operations mothers, we are wives, we are friends,
in 24-hour residential programs in North and is working to design a strategic we are daughters, we are sisters, we are
Carolina and Texas serving children and framework, enhance training for the lead- aunts, and we are good neighbors. We
adults with developmental disabilities and ership team, and streamline processes to give most of who we are away to others,
mental health challenges. She also served create better efficiencies. but it is equally important to take some-
as the Chief Administrative Officer for St. Dr. Brown-Mercadel’s personal life is as thing for ourselves first and realize that
John the Baptist Parish in Louisiana where full as her professional life. Her husband, we can meet our goals. In spite of all the
she managed a variety of departments Alvin, retired from the United States Ma- hats we wear, the first hat we have to put
including Public Works, Planning and Zon- rine Corps after 30 years of service. They on in the morning is ours”.
ing, Public Utilities, Economic Develop- enjoy traveling to countries with unique
ment, Health and Human Services, Human architecture, and spending time with For more information about Dr. Brown
Resources, and Purchasing and Contract- family. They have three adult daughters, Mercadel and Mercadel Consulting
ing. She has also had some amazing firsts Chantell, Ariana, and Kiara and 8-year old Solutions, visit her website at
in her career; “I’m proud to say I was the twin grandchildren Bryce and Brooklyn. www.mercadelconsultingsolutions.net
first African American female regional Dr. Brown-Mercadel is also a member of and follow her on IG @drmercconsults.
general manager in the County of San Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is

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