Jennifer Doré Young

I attribute my success to a relentless commitment to educating myself throughout my entire career. Early on, I made a decision that I was going to know more than anyone else in the room, male or female, not for ego, but so I could confidently guide my clients to make the right decisions. That knowledge gave me confidence, but more importantly, it gave me credibility and the ability to truly serve.

I also believe deeply in clarity and focus. I set clear goals, I write them down every day, and I visualize the path to get there. I close out the noise and stay disciplined. My dad always told me, “If you fall down, get back up again,” and that mindset has stayed with me. Success, to me, isn’t one big moment, it’s a series of very small, consistent steps forward. I visualize my goals like a path and stay focused, almost with blinders on, until I reach them.

Mindset has been a huge part of that journey. I always tell my team to choose three words that define how they want to show up, mine are happy, healthy, and successful. When negative thoughts come in, I replace them with those words. Over time, it becomes second nature.

When I started in 2006, I was told, “Good luck, this is a good old boys club.” I didn’t see that as a barrier, I saw it as an opportunity. And I leaned into it. I went on to become number one in the country and stayed there for about six years, not because I was trying to prove people wrong, but because I was focused on proving to myself what was possible.

As my career has grown, my definition of success has evolved. It’s no longer just about personal achievement, it’s about impact. I’ve made it a priority to pave the way for other women coming up in this industry, because I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find your voice in these spaces. I actively mentor, host intern sessions, and work directly with school districts to educate and support the next generation of leaders.

That’s also what led me to create WISH, because I believe success isn’t just about getting to the top, it’s about reaching back and bringing others with you.

At the end of the day, my success comes down to discipline, mindset, continuous learning, and a deep belief that if you stay focused, keep improving, and lead with purpose, you can build something that not only succeeds, but truly makes a difference.

I’ve been fortunate to receive some of the best advice from my dad. He used to tell me that nothing is inherently good or bad, it’s all just information. The key is to use that information to make decisions about your life and the direction you’re going. It’s telling you something, you just have to be willing to listen.

Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is, “If you fall down, get back up again.” That mindset has carried me throughout my career. Setbacks are inevitable, but growth comes from how you respond to them. It’s about taking small, consistent steps forward, no matter how minor they may seem, and continuing to move in the right direction.

I would say, center yourself. Create a goal, write it down if you have to - I do, I write it down every day - and look at that, and close out the noise. Just imagine a path from yourself walking to that end goal, and all the stuff you're gonna see on the side - you're gonna see a car wreck, you might see people fighting, you might see people yelling at you - but just keep walking until you reach that goal, because you will. Even if you make the tiniest steps, you'll get there. For me, writing everything down works - I love whiteboards, I have so many whiteboards in my house - and I look at it every day. Believe it or not, it actually works. It gets in your psyche. I also tell my whole team, pick your three words - mine are happy, healthy, successful - and if you have to say it to yourself a thousand times a day, whenever something negative pops in your head, say that instead. I've gotten to a point where it's just a natural thing, and I've seen my team members, even the really, really negative ones, try this and it works. It really, really does. So just close out the noise, find your goal, and it's almost like a walking path to it. You'll get there.

The biggest challenge I face is being told over and over again, 'good luck, this is a good old boys club, and you know how it works.' They told me that in 2006 when I started the sports construction industry, and then I became number one in the country and stayed that way for years, so I don't believe that to be a challenge so much as an opportunity to excel. The other challenge is that I've been approached by so many vendors that want to be part of WISH and have said they'll sponsor or give money, but I have to say no because this isn't about pay-to-play. It's very difficult to pick and choose which vendors you can align yourself with without making it look like something nefarious. So it's about keeping it streamlined, keeping our blinders on, and staying focused on our mission - to educate female facilities and district officials across the state of California. The opportunity right now is incredible - with the unprecedented amount of bonds that passed in November 2024, there are billions of dollars at stake, and these female leaders need to have a voice in those decisions. We have over 2,000 school districts in California and over 60% are led by females, yet you would never know it. That's the opportunity - to give them the confidence and education they need to be part of the conversation.

The values that are most important to me are integrity, discipline, growth, and impact.

Integrity is at the core of everything I do. In my work with school districts and in building my company, doing what’s right, even when it’s not the easiest path, has always guided my decisions. Trust is everything in this industry.

Discipline is what turns goals into reality. I believe in showing up consistently, staying focused, and doing the work, even when no one is watching. Success isn’t accidental, it’s built through daily habits and commitment.

Continuous growth is also a major value for me. I’ve always believed in educating myself, learning as much as I can, and staying ahead so I can better serve others. The more I grow, the more value I can bring to my clients, my team, and my community.

And finally, impact. At this stage in my life and career, it’s not just about personal success, it’s about making a difference. Whether it’s through my work with school districts, mentoring others, or building WISH, I want to leave things better than I found them and help create opportunities for the next generation, especially for women coming up in this industry.

At the end of the day, everything I do is rooted in those values, doing the right thing, staying disciplined, continuing to grow, and making a meaningful impact.