Jenna Houchins

I attribute my success to the communities I’ve been fortunate to be part of. Each one has been diverse, unique, and deeply formative through teaching me something different about my work, myself, and the world around me.

I genuinely believe humans are meant to grow in community, not in isolation. Throughout my life, both personally and professionally, I’ve been surrounded by people who have challenged me, supported me, and expanded my perspective. Those environments have shaped my leadership, strengthened my resilience, and grounded my values. In many ways, my success is a reflection of the communities that invested in me, and I aim to carry that forward by striving to invest in others.

The best career advice I’ve ever received comes down to three ideas that have shaped how I move through the world.

First, the power of resilience. Your career will stretch you, surprise you, and sometimes knock you flat. The people who thrive aren’t the ones who never fall; they’re the ones who rise every single time. Resilience is its own form of momentum.

Second, who you choose as a life partner, if you choose to have one, is one of the most consequential career decisions you’ll ever make. The right partner expands your world, steadies you, and believes in your potential even on the days you can’t quite see it yourself. That kind of support changes the trajectory of a life.

And third, the principle I try to live by: lift others as you climb. Opportunity is rarely earned alone. When you’re given access, a platform, or a seat at the table, bring others with you. Encourage them, advocate for them, and celebrate their wins as fiercely as your own. Gratitude becomes action when we use what we have to open doors for someone else.

If I had to sum it up: be resilient, choose your people wisely, and lift others while you climb. Never take your opportunities for granted - use them to create more.

I would tell young women entering this industry not to be afraid to ask questions. Early in your career, whether it’s your first role after undergrad or a transition into a new space, it can feel like you’re expected to know everything. But the truth is, no one knows everything. Curiosity is a strength, not a weakness.

I’d also emphasize the power of listening. You can learn an extraordinary amount simply by paying attention to the people you serve, the colleagues you work alongside, and the communities you partner with. In the nonprofit sector especially, listening is foundational to understanding needs, building trust, and serving with humility and impact.

Ask boldly, listen deeply, and let both guide your growth.

I think one of the biggest challenges and opportunities in our field stems from the profound societal shifts of the past few years, beginning with the pandemic. This period has exposed deep inequities in access to healthcare, in economic stability, and across both race and gender, and it fundamentally reshaped the landscape nonprofits operate in.

For organizations doing development and fundraising work, these shifts have created real challenges: increased need, constrained resources, and a rapidly evolving set of community priorities. But they’ve also underscored just how essential this work is. The past few years have made the gaps impossible to ignore, and with that comes an opportunity to reimagine how we serve, how we partner, and how we advocate for equity in a more sustainable and impactful way. In many ways, the challenges have clarified the mission, and the opportunities lie in how boldly we respond.

I would say the values that guide me most, in both my work and my personal life, are integrity, accountability, and joy.

Integrity keeps me grounded in doing what’s right, even when it’s not the easiest path. Accountability pushes me to take responsibility for my work, my decisions, and the impact I have on others. And just as importantly, I believe in finding joy in the process by bringing a sense of curiosity, energy, and fun to the work I do every day.