Jaala Dickens

I attribute my success first and foremost to God. Statistically, I wasn't supposed to make it. There were many moments when the odds were against me, but my faith gave me the confidence to walk into rooms I never imagined I'd be in. I truly believe my journey has been carried by God's grace and the prayers of those who believed in me long before I believed in myself. My grandmother, Darlene, played an extraordinary role in that journey. Her prayers, encouragement, and unwavering faith carried me through some of the most challenging seasons of my life, especially as I navigated single motherhood while building my career as an executive. She constantly reminded me that God had a purpose for my life, and I believe her faithful prayers helped lead me to where I am today. I'm also incredibly grateful to my parents for instilling in me the values of integrity, hard work, and serving others from a young age. Those values have shaped both my leadership and my life. I've also been blessed with mentors who challenged me to dream bigger. Andrea Carter, a partner at Ernst & Young, showed me that it was possible to lead with excellence while raising a family, giving me a powerful example of the kind of leader and mother I wanted to become. Tyler Moore, former CEO of Apara Autism Centers, was one of the first people to see leadership potential in me. He once told me, "You're going to be a CEO one day." At the time, I didn't believe him, but his confidence in me gave me the courage to pursue opportunities that once felt impossible. Looking back, my success has never been the result of one opportunity or one person. It is the product of God's faithfulness, my family's love, my grandmother Darlene's prayers, and mentors who saw my potential before I could see it myself.

The best career advice I ever received was this: If you're making other people more successful than you are, you're winning. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of mentoring and coaching people who have become visionary leaders, successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, and powerhouses of innovation in their respective fields.

To me, that's what leadership is all about. It's not measured by the title you hold, but by the lives you impact and the opportunities you create for others. Leadership is about investing in people, believing in their potential, and helping them become the best version of themselves.

Never underestimate the power of genuine connection and relationships. Throughout my career, I treated everyone with the same level of respect—from the janitor to the director-because every person matters. Looking back, those relationships became one of the greatest investments I ever made. The connections I built were what got me through the door. Every opportunity I received came through someone who knew me, trusted me, and was willing to recommend me. Time after time, I walked into interviews hearing, "Someone spoke highly of you," or "We were told you'd be a great fit." Those relationships created opportunities long before my résumé ever did. But while connection opened the door, talent, hard work, and consistency are what kept me there. At every stop in my career, I focused on learning, delivering results, and building meaningful relationships with the people around me. Each experience and every valuable connection helped shape me into the leader I am today. Your ability to connect with people is a superpower. When you combine authentic relationships with strong work ethic and a commitment to growth, you create opportunities that can change the course of your career.

I think one of the biggest challenges organizations face today is balancing rising costs with taking care of their people. Inflation has affected everyone, and employees are feeling it through childcare, healthcare, housing, and everyday living expenses. As leaders, we have an opportunity to build workplaces that are more people-centered. I'm especially passionate about supporting working parents, particularly mothers. Building a family shouldn't come at the expense of your career. Personally, I've never had a true maternity leave. I've had three children, with another on the way, and each time I returned to work within just a few weeks because that's what was financially necessary. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to balance a career and family. I'm also passionate about making essential services more accessible to families in rural and underserved communities. Too often, where a family lives determines the care they can receive. Every family deserves access to high-quality services close to home. I think that's why we're seeing so many talented professionals pursue entrepreneurship. People want the opportunity to build organizations that reflect their values. For me, success means creating a workplace where employees feel supported and valued while ensuring families have greater access to the care and resources they deserve.

My faith means everything to me. It shapes the way I lead, the way I serve others, and the decisions I make every day. Alongside that, integrity is one of my core values. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or no one is watching. Transparency is equally important to me. I believe people deserve honesty, even when the conversations are hard. When we're open and transparent, we build trust, strengthen relationships, and empower people to make the best decisions for themselves. I truly believe that when you lead with faith, integrity, and transparency, you can navigate even the most challenging conversations with respect and confidence.