Monica Gould Descends 18-Stories for Big Brothers Big Sisters

President and Founder of Strategic Consulting Partners, Monica Gould, bravely walked the walk she talks for an October event to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

As a seasoned consultant who partners with leaders to increase organizational capacity, Monica knows all too well that hard decisions and brazen actions must be taken for the greater good. But she had no idea that her contribution to this event would get her nerves jumping, her stomach rolling and the hair on her neck standing.

Monica’s feat was not about her sponsorship, but her commitment to rappel over the edge of an 18-story building to support mentor services for at-risk children.

Before stepping on top of the ledge of the building, Monica took a moment to pray and rally her courage. She raised herself into position, her heartbeat increased and she realized this was the point at which she could quit and return to the safety of the rubber roof.

She chose to persevere and face the challenge of going over the edge. Under a cloudy sky surrounded by peers, friends and strangers, Monica released the climbing ratchet attached to her harness. Inches of thick blue rope slid through the pulley system and gradually lowered Monica in a controlled vertical decent.

At the bottom of the office building, approximately 200 feet below the apex, Monica stepped from the wall to the ground and released her rappelling line. With arms raised in the air, the crowd cheered along Second Street. In that moment, Monica embraced the energy of her success and the seedling of her accomplishment that will grow to help children in the Capital Region.

You can make a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region to support the most-effective youth-mentoring organization. 

“To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.” ― Dalai Lama XIV