In this exclusive interview, we explore the inspiring journey Dr. Nichole Pettway, Deputy Director of both the Wellness Empowerment and Resiliency Campus and the Trauma Recovery Center, plays a vital role in advancing the mission of Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS). With her leadership, she champions programs that foster healing, resilience, and empowerment, ensuring that individuals facing trauma and systemic barriers are given the tools to rebuild their lives. Her work reflects a powerful blend of compassion and vision, driving meaningful change and creating pathways toward independence and self-sufficiency.
Personal & Professional Journey
My journey into the wellness field began long before I ever held a formal leadership role — it started with my own lived experiences. Having endured incarceration and addiction, I came face to face with the realities of trauma, broken systems, and the desperate need for healing. Walking through those valleys taught me not only resilience but also the transformative power of wellness. I realized that my scars could become someone else’s roadmap, and that inspired me to devote my life to helping others rise from similar struggles.
When I joined BOSS, I saw an opportunity to turn that passion into purpose. I began with a focus on service and advocacy, but over time, my role has evolved into leadership where I now oversee wellness initiatives that impact entire communities. My work has grown from helping individuals heal to shaping systems that ensure lasting change.
About BOSS & Its Mission
BOSS, which stands for Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, is more than just an organization — it’s a movement. At its heart, BOSS exists to dismantle systemic barriers and uplift people who have been pushed to the margins by homelessness, incarceration, and generational poverty.
Wellness is the foundation of that mission. We cannot expect people to sustain employment, secure housing, or step into leadership if their mental, emotional, and spiritual needs remain unaddressed. By centering wellness, we affirm dignity, restore hope, and equip individuals to create lives of independence and purpose.
Leadership & Wellness
As Deputy Director of BOSS, I oversee the Wellness Empowerment & Resilience Campus (WERC) and the Trauma Recovery Center. My responsibilities range from guiding program design to supervising staff and ensuring accountability. But beyond the logistics, my role is about creating a culture — one where healing is central, equity is prioritized, and every participant feels seen and valued.
Some of our most impactful programs include trauma-informed counseling, healing circles, job readiness training, and leadership development for returning citizens. These initiatives don’t just treat symptoms; they address root causes and build resilience. I make it a priority to weave wellness into every decision we make as an organization, because without it, long-term change is impossible.
Community Impact
One of the most powerful success stories I’ve witnessed was of a man who came to us after years of incarceration and homelessness. He entered our programs broken and uncertain, but through consistent support, he began to rebuild his confidence. He secured stable housing, overcame his addiction, and eventually became a mentor, pouring back into others who were walking the same path he once did. His story is a living testament that when we invest in people’s wellness, we don’t just change one life — we transform families and communities.
The challenges, however, are real. In underserved communities, stigma around mental health, lack of access to resources, and systemic inequities make addressing wellness an uphill battle. At BOSS, we combat this by providing culturally responsive services, partnering with community stakeholders, and advocating for policies that expand access to care. We know that change doesn’t come overnight, but every barrier we break down opens the door for someone else to walk through.
Personal Insights
To me, wellness means wholeness — the harmony of mind, body, and spirit working together. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being committed to growth, healing, and balance.
In my own life, I practice what I preach by prioritizing prayer, meditation, and family. My work is demanding, and the weight of leading can be heavy, but I’ve learned that you cannot pour from an empty cup. By making time for rest and reflection, I’m able to lead from a place of strength rather than exhaustion. That’s the same message I carry to my team and to the communities we serve.
Future Outlook
Looking forward, I am deeply committed to expanding our trauma recovery services, strengthening partnerships with healthcare systems, and scaling our Building Bridges curriculum across more institutions and reentry programs. We’re also working to integrate wellness into workforce development so that healing and economic empowerment go hand in hand.
I believe the role of wellness will only grow in importance as communities strive for long-term self-sufficiency. Mental health is no longer a side conversation — it’s at the center of building stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and a more just society. My vision is to see wellness recognized not as a luxury but as a human right.
Message to Readers
If there’s one message I’d like to leave with readers, it’s this: make wellness non-negotiable in your life. Too often, we push our healing to the back burner while we chase career goals, manage responsibilities, or care for others. But your well-being is not optional — it is the fuel that powers your purpose.
Prioritizing wellness doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges, but it equips you with the strength to navigate them with clarity and resilience. Take time to breathe, reflect, and invest in practices that bring you peace. Ask for help when you need it. And remember, when you are whole, you not only thrive personally, but you also uplift everyone around you.
