Influential Woman · Healthcare | Occupational Therapy
Jennifer Sanchez, OTR, OTD, MBA, MS-BDSA, ASDCS, TIE
TIE
Pediatric Occupational Therapist | Founder & CEO, Just Empower Next
San Angelo, TX 76901
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Sanchez, OTR, OTD, MBA, MS-BDSA, ASDCS, TIE, is a healthcare leader, travel occupational therapist, autism spectrum disorder clinical specialist, speaker, and founder of Just Empower Next. Her professional career centers on occupational therapy, healthcare education, leadership, advocacy, and empowering individuals and organizations to recognize and develop their potential. As a travel occupational therapist, she has practiced across multiple states, including Texas, Idaho, Oregon, California, and Alaska, gaining broad experience across diverse healthcare environments. She also has experience in hand therapy and upper-extremity rehabilitation and completed a doctoral internship focused on health promotion for formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering the community.
Jennifer's academic background reflects her multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Angelo State University, graduating summa cum laude, before completing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy at UT Health San Antonio in 2022. She later earned a Master of Science in Business Data Science & Analytics from Angelo State University in 2026. Her professional development combines clinical expertise with business, analytics, leadership, and advocacy, allowing her to approach healthcare from both a human-centered and systems-oriented perspective. Through Just Empower Next, which she founded in 2024, she provides consulting, education, speaking, and digital content designed to promote purposeful leadership, professional growth, and meaningful impact. Her healthcare podcast has reached listeners in more than seven countries and generated more than 1,000 monthly streams.
Beyond her clinical and entrepreneurial work, Jennifer is deeply committed to leadership, service, and community engagement. She is a member of the University of Texas System Chancellor's Centurions and serves on the UT Health San Antonio Alumni Council, while her professional leadership has included service with the Texas Occupational Therapy Association State Board of Directors. Her contributions have been recognized through the UT Health San Antonio Early Career Excellence Award, Distinguished Alumni recognition, and Sigma Kappa's 35 Under 35 honor in 2025. She also serves her church through youth ministry and special-needs ministry, helping develop and direct the annual Special Friends VBS program for children with disabilities and their families. Across her clinical, educational, entrepreneurial, and community roles, Jennifer's work is grounded in a commitment to service, lifelong learning, leadership, advocacy, and empowering others to create a better future.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of education, mentorship, service, and being willing to pursue opportunities even when I could not predict exactly where they would lead. My career has been shaped by the people who invested in me, the mentors and faculty members who helped develop my skills, and the support system that has encouraged me throughout my journey. I have also learned that consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside of my comfort zone can create opportunities that I may not have initially expected.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to go after what I want and trust that the rest will follow. When I began my career as a travel occupational therapist, I worried that moving between settings and states might prevent me from building a strong professional reputation. Instead, I learned that opportunities to grow, lead, and make an impact can exist far beyond a traditional career path. I believe it is important to pursue the opportunities that align with your goals rather than allowing fear or uncertainty to determine what you do next.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to the next generation is to embrace new opportunities, continue learning, and confidently navigate each new stage of your career. Do not be afraid to pursue a path that looks different from what you originally imagined. Your career can evolve in ways you cannot always anticipate, and those unexpected experiences can become some of your greatest opportunities for growth.
I also encourage young women to lead with purpose and remember that professional success is not only about achievement. Look for ways to serve others, build meaningful relationships, advocate for the people and communities you care about, and use your education and experiences to create a positive impact.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are purpose, service, education, connection, and creating meaningful impact. I believe education should be more than a personal achievement; it should give us the skills and tools to help create a better tomorrow. I also value transparency and meaningful human connection, which are central to the work I do through healthcare, leadership, education, and Just Empower Next.
Service is especially important to me. Whether I am working with patients, supporting families, educating other professionals, serving in my church, or contributing to my professional community, I want my work to empower others and leave a lasting positive impact.
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