Jennifer Atwood

I attribute my success to a strong foundation rooted in my upbringing and the lessons I’ve carried forward throughout my career. Growing up on a fruit farm in Maui, surrounded by my family’s hunting and cooking traditions, taught me the value of hard work, self-sufficiency, and deep respect for community and nature. Those early experiences shaped my work ethic and grounded my approach to both life and leadership. Throughout my professional journey, I have learned to view closed doors and mistakes not as failures, but as essential learning opportunities that guide growth and resilience. Each challenge has helped refine my perspective, strengthen my adaptability, and reinforce the importance of staying open to new paths and possibilities. I am also deeply inspired by my mother, Lisa, whose unwavering support, resilience, and positive outlook have been a constant influence in my life. Her example has shaped how I show up for others and how I navigate change. I would also like to recognize my amazing father, who's hard work and sacrifice ultimately gave my family and I the incredible life we are so privileged to lead. The quality of the people you surround yourself with will shape who you are - and I am so lucky to have the support of friends, colleagues, and family rooting for me every step of the way. Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my voice and experience through the magazine’s podcast, articles, and webinar platform, and to continue sharing insights that inform, inspire, and empower others.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mother, Lisa, who has been my greatest inspiration. Through her words and example, she taught me to lead with authenticity, compassion, and purpose, reminding me that who you are matters just as much as what you do. Her life—rooted in creativity, resilience, and a love for adventure—modeled what it means to build a meaningful path. I’m grateful she raised my sister and me to be good humans first, instilling in us empathy, integrity, and a genuine zest for life, values that continue to guide my career today. Authenticity is so important when establishing relationships and is the key to building trust.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to see closed doors and mistakes not as setbacks, but as valuable learning opportunities. Be open to redirection—sometimes the path you didn’t plan leads to the growth you need most. Take the time to understand your strengths, set clear boundaries, and lead with compassion. When you stay grounded in who you are and how you treat others, you build a career that is both impactful and sustainable. The beauty is in the journey to discovery. I have learned so much in my career journey, and I think another really important piece of advice would be that no amount of money or benefits is worth sacrificing your mental health or things in your life that are important to you. I have made this mistake only to realize that money isn't the end all - finding a balance between hard work that fuels your passions and personal peace should always be the goal.

One of the biggest challenges—and greatest opportunities—in my field is learning to reframe mistakes and obstacles as growth opportunities rather than failures. Especially early in your career, what feels like a setback can actually be a blessing, guiding you toward the path you’re truly meant to follow.

I encourage young women to see hardships as divine redirection: moments that teach, strengthen, and clarify purpose. Along the way, it’s important to honor your boundaries, stay connected to your passions, and appreciate the beauty of the journey. When you do, the path forward becomes clearer, and your dreams naturally begin to take shape.

The values that guide me in work and life are authenticity, passion, and connection. Growing up on a fruit farm in Maui instilled a love of cooking, creativity, and hard work, which continue to shape how I live and engage with others. I also value friendship, community, and lifelong learning, finding inspiration through travel, new experiences, and connecting with people from diverse cultures. Integrity, transparency, kindness, patience, and accountability.