Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Duran is the Director of Support and Partner Success at an IT software startup, a role she has grown into over seven years with the company after beginning in an administrative capacity. Over the past year, she has taken the lead in building out a dedicated support department, shaping it from a loosely defined function into a fully operational team that blends human expertise with AI-driven automation. Her background spans customer support and project management, with particular strength in coordinating teams, fostering collaboration across departments, and designing user experiences that are both efficient and genuinely helpful. A driving force behind Duran's professional growth has been her natural curiosity — a desire to understand not just how systems work, but why certain approaches succeed over others. This inquisitive approach has served her well in the fast-paced, resource-conscious environment of a startup, where she has learned to navigate tight budgets and evolving stakeholder communication. To sharpen her project management capabilities, she pursued an Agile Scrum Management Certification and continues to build on that foundation as she prepares for the PMP exam. Outside of her career, Duran is guided by a personal commitment to balance, clarity, and honesty — principles she carries into both her professional relationships and everyday life. She believes strongly in communicating directly and kindly, and encourages other women in her field to trust their expertise without hesitation. A supporter of the arts in her community, Duran contributes as a patron of the Orlando Museum of Art, reflecting her broader appreciation for creativity and cultural enrichment beyond the workplace.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to curiosity. I genuinely like to understand how things work, why they work the way they do, and how they can work better. This mindset has become something of a personal watchword, especially when working on software projects — just because something appears to function on the surface doesn't mean there isn't something underneath still affecting it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is that while education, merit, and a strong resume matter, networking makes a real difference. You can have an excellent resume and apply to twenty different places, but someone with a less competitive resume who has a personal recommendation from a trusted contact often has an advantage. Talking to people who know the industry is genuinely how I got to where I am.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to be confident in what they know and not to back down. Don't phrase your knowledge as a question — if you know something, stand by it and build on it. I've had to work on giving myself enough credit, because even after accomplishing a lot, it doesn't always feel like enough. I think more women need the confidence to say, "I have the answer, and I'm right," without second-guessing themselves just because someone else suggests otherwise.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is specific to working at a startup, where budgetary constraints shape everything. We operate on a shoestring budget at first because every initiative begins as an experiment, and it isn't until something proves itself that we can invest further. Communication between stakeholders can also be a sticking point — even when everyone seems to be discussing the same issue, perspectives often differ.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Balance, clarity, and honesty are my top three values. Clarity is essential in communication, both on projects and in everyday conversations — being direct rather than vague or passive can improve many aspects of life. Honesty matters just as much, though I believe it should always be paired with kindness rather than delivered harshly. I believe we should also strive bor balance in our success- maintaining social and personal relationships in your fay-to-day life, especially when working in a remote environment where phone calls, emails and zoom meetings are the norm, is an absolute must!
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