Rhonda George-Denniston is a leader who wears many hats with grace and vision. As the Chief Learning and Development Officer at TBWA Worldwide and the founder of Curiosity Connections, she has dedicated herself to reimagining how people connect in both professional and personal spaces. Through her work, she challenges the transactional nature of traditional networking and instead fosters inclusive, human-first experiences that inspire authenticity, growth, and well-being. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and the belief that true success lies in connection and community—values that deeply resonate with Humans of Fuzia’s mission of empowering women and celebrating inclusivity.
Q: What inspired you to begin your journey with Curiosity Connections?
I founded Curiosity Connections out of a deep need for authentic connection. Traditional networking often feels transactional—you go in with a pitch, rehearsed lines, and the pressure to “perform.” As an introvert, that left me unfulfilled. Coming out of COVID, when we’d all been isolated behind screens, I felt an even stronger urge to create a space that put people first. Curiosity Connections was born as a safe, human-first environment where we can shed our LinkedIn profiles, let go of labels, and engage in meaningful dialogue. It’s about business, yes, but also about personal growth and mental well-being.
Q: What challenges have you faced while building this initiative?
The biggest challenge is always building an intentional audience. I know the need for authentic connection resonates deeply with me, but the question is how to find others who feel the same. I also want Curiosity Connections to go beyond my own industry—I don’t want silos. So the challenge is creating a space that attracts diverse audiences who share this pain point and are ready to embrace a new way of connecting.
Q: Do you work alone or with a team?
I co-create Curiosity Connections with a partner. For me, it’s a labor of love, a way to pour out creativity and do good beyond the boundaries of my corporate role.
Q: What has been your proudest milestone so far?
We just completed our first year of quarterly gatherings, and I’m proud of laying that foundation. Our next step is moving into the “edutainment” space—workshops that combine learning with meaningful engagement. It’s exciting to see the vision grow from an idea to something tangible that’s making an impact.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
My perspective is simple: why not? Leadership is not about gender—it’s about capability, authenticity, and care. I don’t flock to women-only spaces because I believe inclusivity is essential. Women should have their rightful place, just as men and all humans should. The best person for the role should be recognized and empowered, regardless of gender.
Q: What advice would you give to future leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Be authentic, and genuinely care for the people you lead. Get to know them, understand their daily challenges, and care about their holistic well-being. Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about people.
Q: How do you personally define success?
For me, success is integrated—I don’t separate personal from professional. Success is living out my purpose of connecting people with possibilities, while showing up authentically as my whole self. It’s about freedom, peace, and joy. It’s being appreciated for the totality of who I am—my experiences as an immigrant, a woman, a Black woman, a person of faith. Success is living true to that without compromise.
“Success is allowing me to show up as a beautifully flawed human, to live authentically, and to bring all of who I am into any space I enter.” — Rhonda George-Denniston
Connect with Rhonda George-Denniston:
(3) Rhonda George-Denniston | LinkedIn
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