CLAUDETTE Crooks is many things — CEO, former scientist, radio host — but her most important role, she believes, is mother. And not just to her wide-eyed brilliant daughter, but to the many she has honed and owned close to her heart for mentorship, growth, and care.

Having a humble, hard-working, and illuminating example in her own mother, she says she’s simply trying to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

“I hope she’s proud of me, I’d really want to be just like her,” says Crooks.

At the time of this interview, she’s in the busy throes of her office at MoneyMasters Group, preparing for the inaugural IREC Real Estate Expo. Her expertise spans two decades in the field; Crooks, the lone female panellist for the day.

“My mother was such an integral part of my life,” she declares.

That life included a blended family where Crooks had a hard-working father, a home-maker mother, a home that was filled with lots of cousins, friends, and well-wishers, many still in her life today.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Crooks’s journey is a testimony to the enduring strength of maternal wisdom and values in shaping both personal and professional landscapes.

Early inspirations and maternal wisdom

From a young age, Crooks was steeped in the ethos of hard work, limitless potential, and kindness, virtues imparted by her parents. It’s her mother’s wisdom that she often harks back to when making crucial decisions both in her personal life and at the helm of MoneyMasters. These lessons have not only propelled her career, but also deeply influenced the nurturing culture she fosters at her company.

“Everything I do is a reflection of the values my mother instilled in me,” she shared, her voice imbued with the reverence of a daughter carrying mom’s teachings into every sphere of her life.

A faith-driven approach to business and motherhood

A well-known fact in the business world is that Crooks puts her faith first. Much like her male leads Robert Levy at Jamaica Broilers Group, and Senator Aubyn Hill of financial and political fame, she believes with God at the centre of her life, she has nothing to fear.

Crooks’s integration of faith into her business practices echoes the nurturing role often associated with motherhood. She is keen on supporting not just the financial growth of her clients, but also fostering their overall well-being, mirroring the holistic approach a mother takes in nurturing her children.

“The concept behind MoneyMasters is that we’re creating wealth — for the inner-city communities, the widows, the poor; we nurture them like family, without seeking recognition,” Crooks explained.

She notes that she’s had to walk away from many business decisions as they do not align with her faith. She, however, is comforted knowing that she’s done her best, always, just like her mother would.

Balancing the boardroom with family life

For Crooks, her role as a mother is not separate from her identity as a CEO; instead, it complements and enriches it. She adeptly balances her professional drive with her personal life, ensuring that she remains present for her family. Beyond Mother’s Day, Crooks emphasises the joy and challenges of motherhood personally and professionally, noting how it has given her unique insights into leadership — patience, empathy, and resilience.

“Being a mother has taught me the importance of leading with kindness and strength, values I strive to embody in every aspect of my leadership at MoneyMasters,” she said.

Legacy and future aspirations

Crooks, now the mother of a well-adjusted young adult daughter, looks to the future with a vision that her legacy will inspire not only her, but also those who come in contact with MoneyMasters.

She hopes to be remembered as someone who used her position to make a significant difference, guided by the principles of integrity, generosity, and a commitment to uplift others that her mother taught her.

“I hope that my actions and achievements inspire my children and others to pursue their dreams with unwavering faith and a focus on what truly matters,” she said.