Chardiney Jackson, M.A., ACC

attribute my success to embracing purposeful, non-linear career paths and consistently saying yes to opportunities that foster growth through experience, education, and service. From my early days at JPMorgan to my current work in coaching, consulting, and learning & development, my focus has remained constant: developing people, building confidence, and empowering leaders. That commitment has been the foundation of my professional journey.

Much of that mindset was shaped long before my career began. My mother gifted me optimism—the ability to see possibility even in difficult seasons—something that sustained me during moments of challenge and uncertainty. My father, a Marine veteran, instilled in me a relentless work ethic and the discipline to never give up, even when the outcome wasn’t yet visible. He was also the first to recognize my passion for training and development, encouraging me to pursue a path that began in compliance and evolved into a career I now thrive in.

Together, their influence taught me to believe in growth before it’s fully formed—and to trust that consistent effort, purpose, and service will eventually meet opportunity.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was this: many of the roles that exist today didn’t exist 10 or 20 years ago. That reality makes it nearly impossible to map out your exact aspirations decades in advance—and that’s okay.

A great leader once reminded me not to focus solely on predicting the future, but on preparing for it. Build skills around what you’re genuinely good at. Pay attention to what others consistently recognize you for at work. Invest in strengthening those capabilities.

When you commit to continuous learning, upskilling, and growth, you position yourself to be ready—ready to execute, ready to lead, ready to step into the next opportunity when it appears. You don’t have to have every step figured out today. Preparation, not prediction, is what creates momentum and long-term success.

I would encourage young women to dream boldly, lead with empathy, and treat goal setting as a non-negotiable part of becoming the best version of themselves. Ambition matters—but so does intention.

As a first-generation college graduate, I was the first in my family to enter the corporate world and learn how to navigate those spaces on my own. It was often intimidating and unfamiliar, but I kept moving forward—turning lessons learned into wisdom. Along the way, I sought out mentors, built relationships with peers, and intentionally found community. No one succeeds alone.

Be willing to connect. Charisma, confidence, and emotional intelligence open doors that technical skills alone cannot. Technical skills can be taught; human skills must be developed with purpose. When you invest in communication, self-awareness, and relationship-building, you build the foundation of a leader others trust, follow, and support.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in learning and development is helping leaders navigate the constant tension between time, resources, and capability building. Time has always been a luxury in organizations, and that reality isn’t going away.

Leaders recognize that their people need new skills and want access to meaningful development, but learning often competes with immediate business priorities, operational demands, and limited capacity. The challenge isn’t a lack of interest in learning—it’s integrating development in ways that feel relevant, efficient, and directly connected to performance.

The opportunity for L&D is to shift from “more training” to smarter learning: designing experiences that are embedded into the flow of work, aligned to real business needs, and focused on skills leaders can apply immediately. When learning is practical, accessible, and clearly tied to outcomes, it becomes a strategic advantage rather than an additional burden.

The values that guide both my work and personal life are lifelong learning, intentional leadership, and empowering others—grounded in integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Whether I’m leading training and development initiatives, coaching individuals, or serving in my community, I’m focused on creating learning experiences and leadership pathways that drive meaningful, lasting impact.

I believe strongly in inclusive leadership—ensuring all voices are heard and valued—and in the power of collaboration to solve complex challenges and elevate outcomes. In my personal life, those same principles show up through my dedication to family, adaptability, creativity, and kindness. Together, these values shape how I lead, how I serve, and how I show up for others every day.