In Conversation
Jasmine Essuman for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Jasmine Essuman, MBA: Speaker: Jasmine Essuman, Business Development ExecutiveWhat does being an Influential Woman mean to you?Jasmine Essuman: Being an influential woman means being a woman of impact, of someone that other people would aspire towards. I think being an influential woman has everything to do with setting the bar and breaking the bar, and making it very clear that the sky is the limit. There's nothing that's unattainable with hard work and grit, anything is possible. And I think that when little girls look up to you, they want to emulate your discourse because you're inspirational. And I think that's a, a really good representation of being an influential woman.What's one piece advice would you give to younger women chasing their dreams?Jasmine Essuman: One piece of advice I would give to younger women chasing their dreams is to make sure that you're doing it for you. Whatever that may be, if you want to be a published author, you want to be a scientist, a doctor, make sure that you're, you're living a life that is true to your goals and your aspirations. I know that there's a lot of societal pressure, parental pressure. And sometimes your dreams can feel like they're not your own. I think really sitting and making sure that what you're fighting for to come to fruition is what you really actually want is paramount. And also understanding that. Any setbacks that occur are only momentary. You'll look back on it several years from now and use it as a learning lesson and probably smile because it fortified you and made you stronger. So whatever you're dealing with in the moment, understand that it does not define you, and you can overcome it.
Her Story
About Jasmine
Jasmine Essuman, MBA, is a Business Development Executive at Infosys Technologies, where she has spent the past year working at the intersection of information technology, manufacturing, and enterprise transformation. In her current role, she serves as the account executive embedded at Toyota, managing approximately $6M in active engagements and acting as the primary point of contact between the client and Infosys. She represents the organization on the ground, ensuring key stakeholders are aligned and satisfied across cloud, IT services, and automation initiatives. Known for her ability to translate complex technology solutions into clear business value, she helps enterprise leaders navigate digital transformation with confidence and strategic clarity.
Before entering the IT industry, Jasmine built a strong and successful foundation in sales and leadership across multiple sectors. At GEICO, she served as a Commercial Sales Supervisor, and prior to that she held roles at Graybar Electric and Kohl’s, where she developed deep expertise in client management, analytics, and business operations. One of her most notable achievements came during her tenure at U.S. Cellular, where she led a team of 18 sales professionals who were initially low performers and transformed them into the number one team in the portfolio. During this time, she also earned recognition for sales excellence and client partnership performance, reinforcing her reputation as a results-driven leader who can elevate both people and performance.
Jasmine began her academic journey earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, initially intending to pursue a career in academia. However, she discovered that her strengths in communication, relationship-building, and critical thinking translated powerfully into business and sales. This realization led her into a thriving career in commercial leadership, where she continued to grow and excel. Motivated by a desire to challenge herself further, she later pursued an MBA in Data Analytics from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and transitioned into the IT industry, entering new domains such as automotive and manufacturing technology. Her career reflects a consistent drive to step outside her comfort zone, prove her capabilities in unfamiliar environments, and deliver impact through adaptability, leadership, and strategic execution.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jasmine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents. They have a background where anything other than success is not acceptable. My dad, for example, grew up in a village in Ghana. He taught himself economics - he didn't even have enough money for books or to go to school, so he just borrowed books from his friends and taught himself. In Ghana, there's a test that you take that determines what you're gonna do, and he scored so high on that test that he got a full ride scholarship to Madison, where he was able to get his master's and his PhD. And that's someone who couldn't even afford shoes to walk - he had to walk barefoot. When you're coming from a background like that, excuses are an implausibility.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is as simple as leading with humility. I think that one of the things that was hard for me, and I've noticed it's hard for others, is that when you come into a company, you don't want to admit the things that you don't know. But if you don't admit the things that you don't know, then you can't learn. I think humbling yourself to have humility and say, hey, let me ask the questions now before problems arise in the future, and let me really be a humble learner - it's something that has been beneficial for me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be confident in your ability. It is easy to fall into the cycle of imposter syndrome, but you were chosen for a reason. You're qualified, and you're supposed to be there. And be resolute in making sure that you don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say that people tend to work in silos, so a more collaborative environment is definitely an area of opportunity. I would say that it's still a male-dominated industry. So if you're coming in as a woman, I think that the challenge becomes proving yourself and proving that you deserve a seat at the table.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Moral integrity is most important to me. I think it's possible to be successful and also be a good person. I think it's possible to be successful and have an empathetic mindset. I want to be able to leave a legacy where little girls who look like me can know that they can reach for the stars and beyond. It's important for me to retain my character through it all.
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