Fantasia Jacko
Fantasia Jacko is an accomplished operations and community leader with over 15 years of experience in management, strategic planning, and process improvement. She holds an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles, where she also founded and served as President of the campus chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, growing the organization to over 900 members and raising significant funds for community initiatives. Fantasia’s expertise spans budgeting, business process optimization, team leadership, and stakeholder relations, with a proven ability to align cross-functional teams and external partners toward shared goals.
Throughout her career, Fantasia has been deeply committed to social impact and community service. She currently serves as Volunteer Manager at Cayenne Wellness Center & Children’s Foundation, where she built the volunteer and internship department from the ground up and established partnerships with multiple schools. She has also worked as a Case Manager at PATH, assisting unhoused individuals, and as a Property Manager at Westland Real Estate Group, overseeing operations for multiple properties. Her professional focus has consistently combined operational excellence with a passion for empowering others, mentoring diverse teams, and delivering measurable, high-impact results.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Fantasia is dedicated to breaking generational barriers and uplifting marginalized communities. She actively volunteers for causes including child welfare, civil rights, economic empowerment, and health services, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to service. An Oakland native now based in Ontario, California, Fantasia brings creativity and heart to her work and personal life, enjoying writing spoken word poetry, cooking, dancing, and self-expression through hair and nail artistry. Her leadership is defined not only by results but by the lasting impact she creates in the lives of those around her.
• Certified Crisis Intervener (CCI)
• Non-Profit Management Certification
• OSHA Certification
• ServSafe Food Handler
• California State University, Los Angeles - MBA
• Dean's List
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family’s struggles, my determination to break generational cycles, and my commitment to creating a better future for the communities I serve. Growing up in Oakland shaped my resilience, strengthened my leadership spirit, and inspired me to show young women what is possible through perseverance and education.
Everything I’ve accomplished—including managing multiple jobs while earning my MBA—stems from my passion for helping people advocate for themselves and access opportunities they might not have thought were within reach.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to keep going—even when life feels overwhelming or circumstances seem unfair. Early in my career, I learned that staying consistent opens doors to opportunities and allows your work to make an impact on people you may never even meet.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to take up space unapologetically. You don’t need to wait until you’re perfect to start helping people—your lived experiences, your empathy, and your desire to create change are already enough. Social services requires heart, patience, and persistence, so trust your purpose and let it guide you as you step into this work.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges in my field right now include underfunded programs, which make it difficult to support communities at scale; the growing needs of vulnerable populations facing homelessness, illness, and poverty; and widespread burnout among social service professionals.
At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities. I focus on building stronger volunteer and internship pipelines, partnering with colleges to prepare the next generation of social workers, and creating leadership roles and training programs that connect education with real-world impact. I’m also passionate about establishing new institutions—such as my vision for a university dedicated to social service careers—that can expand the reach and effectiveness of our work.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are compassion, advocacy, education, community, and legacy. I strive to meet people where they are, without judgment, and help marginalized individuals find their voice and access resources. Education and empowerment are at the heart of what I do—my long-term dream of building a social service university reflects my commitment to teaching and uplifting others. I also value community, creating programs that bring together volunteers, students, and residents to make a meaningful impact. Above all, I am dedicated to leaving a legacy by breaking generational trauma and building pathways for the next generation.
Locations
Cayenne Wellness Center & Children´s Foundation
Ontario, CA 91762