When Jesse Rudy, CEO and founder of Redeem International, talks about hope, he’s not speaking in abstractions. He’s seen it firsthand—in widows dancing on reclaimed land, in children returning to school, in communities rediscovering their strength. Redeem International protects the homes and land of vulnerable widows and orphans in Uganda and Zambia, where nearly one in three women lose their property to violent land grabbing after their husbands die.
Rudy’s story on The Route to Success is a blueprint for leaders who want to create lasting change. It’s about courage, focus, and the discipline to “do good by doing it well.”
1. Resilience Starts with Ingenuity
When Rudy launched Redeem International in February 2020—just weeks before the pandemic—his plans for fundraising and fieldwork were instantly derailed. Flights were grounded, meetings were canceled, and funding vanished overnight.
Instead of retreating, he created “VH3: Virtual Happy Hours to Help”—a simple, innovative idea that combined connection and fundraising. Care packages were delivered to friends’ doorsteps, and people gathered on Zoom to learn about the mission. Those informal gatherings became the lifeline that kept Redeem alive through the crisis.
Tool:
When traditional strategies fail, don’t freeze—adapt fast and think small. Test creative, low-cost ideas that align with your mission. Innovation doesn’t require perfection; it requires action.
2. Focus Is a Nonprofit’s Superpower
Many nonprofits spread themselves too thin by chasing every good idea. Rudy argues the opposite: “You have to be ruthless in cutting away what doesn’t directly move you toward your goal.”
Redeem’s focus is laser-sharp—intervening in individual land theft cases and partnering with law enforcement to prosecute offenders. While others might favor awareness campaigns or events, Rudy’s data showed that deterrence through prosecution prevents the most abuse.
Tip:
Define your organization’s “Hedgehog Concept.”
Ask three questions:
- What are we most passionate about?
- What are we best in the world at?
- What drives measurable success?
If an activity doesn’t answer “yes” to all three, cut it.
3. Lead with Joy, Not Fear
Redeem’s work brings its team face to face with trauma and injustice. But Rudy teaches that joy—not fear—is the antidote to despair. “The opposite of joy isn’t sadness—it’s fear,” he says. “You can be sad and joyful, but you can’t be afraid and joyful.”
To sustain morale, Redeem practices celebration as discipline. Every success—no matter how small—is recognized. Team members even share dance videos to commemorate victories.
Tool:
Build celebration rituals into your work. Recognize progress weekly. Acknowledge wins privately and publicly. Joy fuels resilience and keeps teams motivated through dark times.
4. Build Before You Launch
For aspiring changemakers, Rudy offers tough love: “Make sure your work is needed—and that you’re good at it.” His advice, borrowed from his mentor at International Justice Mission, is simple: sharpen your skills before starting your mission.
Tip:
Invest in professional excellence first. Volunteer in your area of interest, build marketable skills, and learn how strong organizations operate. The world needs more capable changemakers—not just passionate ones.
Final Thought
“Many things in this world are lost, broken, stolen, or destroyed,” Rudy says. “Find one—and restore it to what it was created to be.”
Redeem International proves that hope isn’t passive. It’s strategy, structure, and the courage to stay focused on what truly matters.
Learn more or support their work at redeeminternational.org.
Listen to the full episode here:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/gz4bGH3u_mI
Transistor (Spotify and Apple): https://share.transistor.fm/s/0dc0ff5f
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0aa72207-dbab-4047-aa5e-fe7971145b86