Aqua Gentis
Aqua Gentis is a results-driven business professional currently serving as a Business Process Specialist II at Cintas, where she specializes in optimizing enterprise accounts receivable processes and driving operational efficiency. Based in the Greater Chattanooga area, she is known for her expertise in process improvement, project management, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve measurable results. Aqua focuses on standardizing metrics, leveraging technology, and implementing scalable solutions that enhance both internal performance and customer outcomes, while ensuring teams remain aligned, efficient, and customer-focused.
Aqua’s career path reflects a dynamic and unconventional journey shaped by opportunity and adaptability. She began in the restaurant industry before launching and successfully running her own business, which she later sold while completing her MBA. From there, she transitioned into printing and marketing before joining Cintas over nine years ago as an off-street hire. Through a combination of expertise and initiative, she has taken on multiple roles within the organization, ultimately stepping into leadership responsibilities where she now manages a team dedicated to process improvement, training, systems implementation, and change management for large-scale accounts receivable operations. Her work centers on streamlining processes, increasing speed and efficiency, and modernizing operations to better integrate with evolving business systems.
She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Aqua brings a thoughtful leadership philosophy to her work, describing herself as a “navigator” rather than the captain—someone who excels at supporting, guiding, and elevating others. Her greatest accomplishment lies not in titles or accolades, but in the growth of the people she mentors, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers of their own. Passionate about developing talent and fostering high-performing teams, Aqua is committed to creating meaningful, lasting impact both within her organization and beyond.
• Black Belt Six Sigma
• Executive Presence
• Crucial Conversations
• Communication with Diplomacy
• Smith Driver Instructor
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania - BIB
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania - MBA
• WAVE (Women's channel within company)
• Pharmacy helper and patient care -
Excela Health
• Volunteer, Dog Walker, Courtesy Training -
Four Footed Friends
What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes down to several key things. First and foremost, it's the team I support and the team who supports me - capable, amazing people who want to help and want to see you grow, along with giving clear expectations of what's needed. But beyond that, it's about being nosy in the best way possible. I like to try and see how far I can push things, and if they break, I'll immediately apologize, but having that curiosity at work - and having that curiosity encouraged - has been absolutely essential. I'm always asking questions, always exploring, always trying to understand how things work and how they can work better. That combination of having a strong, supportive team around me and maintaining an active, encouraged curiosity has been the foundation of everything I've been able to accomplish.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
There are no stupid questions never be afraid to ask. As you're learning, it is not wrong to fail; it's actually healthy to fail. And if you're going to fail, fail fast, fail cheap, and fail fun. Do it quickly, and when you do fail, dust yourself off and go, 'Oh my god, that was gross, I'll never do that again, but I learned something.' Failure is not the enemy - not doing anything is a choice, and that's what you want to avoid. Another critical piece of advice is to ask questions and find out what type of learning style you are. Do you need face-to-face conversations? Do you need things written down? For me, my leadership team knows I'll happily try to figure out how to break something as long as I know where the hard no's are. Find out what you need to be successful, what information you need, and how you best receive that information. This is especially important for young women because the transition from a schooling environment to a working environment involves very different communication styles, and it can be quite jarring. So listen to some podcasts, watch some YouTube videos, and do a little bit of introspective work. That self-awareness is very important as well.