PPB February 2021

‘We Will Rise!’ Debb i e Abe r ge l Debbie Abergel of Jack Nadel International embodies positivity and confidence as she works to connect employees and her clients during uncertain times. By Danielle Renda D ebbie Abergel leads by example, not only in matters of business, but also in the resilience, optimism and dedication she models to her clients and colleagues. As chief strategy officer of Los Angeles- based global distributor Jack Nadel International, Abergel has been with the company for 22 years, but last year’s unprecedented challenges demanded an immediate and radical shift, both in practice and in mindset. And adapt, she did. “I wish our industry would stop operating in fear,” says Abergel. “If this pandemic taught us anything, it’s how strong we are, how much our services are needed. We, as an industry, I think, have done phenomenal.” Almost immediately following the start of the pandemic, Abergel worked fervently on updating JNI’s services to reflect clients’ current needs, developing ways to educate clients on new products and packaging, with an emphasis on kitting, and guiding them on staying connected, she says. And all throughout, JNI also focused heavily on preserving the company’s infrastructure. During the pandemic, JNI laid off less than three percent of its employees, Abergal says. To support the team, Abergel also helped create and launch Nadel U <remote>, a two-week virtual event featuring education, such as how to work from home effectively; partner presentations and awards, including the distributor’s annual JNI awards; and fun-filled networking, including happy hours, dance parties and fitness classes. “We were all home and it was just like, ‘How are we going to connect?’ she says. “It was just taking that stance that we’ve got to rally everybody. We’ve got to connect people, we’ve got to see faces, whether you’re in New York, Houston or LA, we’ve got to connect people.” Left: Debbie Abergel (second from left) with her husband Stuart Ernel, Craig Nadel (far right), president of Jack Nadel International, and his wife Michelle Nadel. Above: Debbie Abergel (center) with her daughter Sadie Abergel and Sadie's fiance Jonathan Black. Bottom: Abergel and her daughter, Sadie. 62 | FEBRUARY 2021 | THINK