Influential Woman · CPG Manufacturing

Jennifer Johnson

Personal Care and Beauty & Wellbeing North America, Unilever

Hoboken, NJ

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Communication with specialization in Public Relations Degree Double minor in Psychology and Digital Communications Degree Master's Degree in Organization Development and Leadership with Certification in Human Resources (December 2022) Cert Certification in Human Resources

Her Story

About Jennifer

My career path has been anything but traditional. I started in marketing after studying public relations in undergrad, with all my internships somehow ending up being marketing-focused. I knew I wanted to blend my passion for fashion with my interest in marketing, so I grew my career in that space for over 5 years. But during COVID, when I was furloughed, I had a real opportunity to reflect on what I wanted to do with my career and the impact I had in my work. While I loved the hustle and bustle of marketing and the fun, fast-paced initiatives that came with it, there were missing gaps for me - I felt like I wasn't connecting to the people who were making it happen day-to-day. During that furlough period, I networked extensively, both within and outside my network, and discovered that maybe HR was what I needed to pursue. When I was called back to work, I told my manager I wanted to continue working but also pursue higher education. I went back for my grad school program, studying organization development and leadership with a certification in HR. I was really fortunate that my employer helped me bring these theories and textbook learnings to life with real application in my job. Eventually, after graduating in December 2022, they slotted me into my first HR role. It was all divine timing, obviously some hard work and networking too, but I think it's a testament to what employers can provide to really make and shape someone's career. Now, as the HR Partner for Personal Care and Beauty and Wellbeing North America at Unilever, I support our HR business directors with talent management, performance management, promotions, and helping people transition to new roles. No day is the same, which keeps things colorful. My day-to-day really looks like supporting the business and transformation of its people.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Jennifer

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think it has to do with the people around me. Obviously, I can put in as much work as I would like to, or all the time and dedication, but I think it also has to do with the people that have been there to support me through every wave of professional development that I've been through. That includes not just my parents, who raised me with the values of working hard, studying hard, and doing your best, but as I've grown as a professional, it's also the mentors I had along the way and my managers who consistently believed in my capabilities and helped me grow by pushing me beyond my boundaries. And then, obviously, my husband and my friends - they continue to remind me that as much as I am a professional, I'm also a person too, so to give myself grace in times of hardships when it comes to work. I think that really is around me and motivates me to continue going in a balanced manner.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

When I first started my career, I am the first, or the eldest, child of immigrant parents, so there was quite a bit of a cultural difference when it came to how we went about professional development and career growth. I remember entering the workplace with the notion from my parents telling me that you keep your head down, say yes to everything, and you don't question anything. Which works in their country, but here in the U.S., I learned very quickly it's different. I remember having an honest conversation with my first manager, and at the time, he mentioned that my inputs and my values are so important as I grow my career and for the team. What he encouraged me to do is to always ask questions, please raise your hand if there's anything you need to clarify on, and to always work as if you're already at the next level. That advice pushed me to challenge myself to do more than what I was doing, but also to think bigger and dream bigger. It's definitely helped me come a long way.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

If I were to give advice - and I'm saying this as if I'm giving advice to my younger self - it's to dream big, to pursue more, and to know that anything is possible if you have the passion and heart for it. I think also having a core philosophy that you could carry with you as you go through your different stages of career is really going to help ground and center you so that you don't lose the essence of who you are as you're growing in your roles or industry.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

For me, the most important values are being kind and showing empathy - I think empathy goes a very, very long way, not just in your personal life, but in your work life, too. I also believe in trying your best, and what I mean by that is that you're trying your best, and the best is the most you can give. You can't punish yourself for not doing everything if your capability or your maximum is what you've delivered. So for me, it's always just been to put yourself out there, to do really well to the best of your abilities, and to carry empathy with you. And if I can add my work philosophy, it's that if I've made people feel like their most authentic selves in the workplace are valued and nourished, I've done my job right. I think it's really important that other people carry and create a work philosophy with them, so that it always grounds them and centers them in their work.

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