Jerany Jackson

I attribute the majority of my success to my parents and the way I was raised. I grew up on a farm, where both of my parents worked full-time while also managing responsibilities at home, and they instilled in me a strong work ethic, honesty, and the importance of being genuine in all situations. My father, in particular, demonstrated strong business ethics through his actions—he always followed through on his commitments and took accountability when mistakes were made. From both of my parents, I learned not only the value of hard work but also the importance of integrity and consistency. I believe that when you move forward with honesty and remain the same person in every environment, people recognize your authenticity, and I carry that principle into everything I do. I also recognize that not everyone is fortunate to have that foundation, which motivates me to be a source of support for others and to help people wherever I can.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive guidance from respected professionals and leaders across landscape architecture, engineering, and organizational leadership. Their mentorship and support have helped shape my leadership philosophy and strengthened my commitment to integrity, service, and continuous learning. These relationships have reinforced the importance of leading by example and remaining grounded in professional values while growing in my career.

I encourage young women entering this industry to believe in their abilities, actively pursue leadership opportunities, and commit to continuous learning. It is important not to be discouraged by challenges or to feel the need to change who you are in order to succeed. Instead, I believe strong leadership is built through experience, perseverance, and the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone while staying true to your values.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is that engineers and design consultants often do not take on visible leadership roles in the communities they impact, despite making decisions that influence significant public investments and infrastructure. This lack of visible leadership can make it difficult to clearly communicate the reasoning behind important decisions and drive meaningful change. At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to strengthen leadership within the profession, particularly by supporting and mentoring women, as there is a clear need for more role models and guidance for emerging professionals in the industry.

The values most important to me are honesty, authenticity, and treating people with respect and consistency in every situation. My work in landscape architecture has reinforced my belief in the importance of making decisions that positively impact people’s everyday lives and communities. I am deeply passionate about using my skills to help others, support better decision-making, and contribute to meaningful improvements in how people live and move through their environments. At my core, I am committed to helping others grow, especially women developing their leadership potential, and I view my work as part of a larger purpose of service and legacy.