Her Story
About Jessica
My journey into technology wasn't a traditional one. I wasn't technically inspired to go into technology per se, but I had marketable skills across the market, and I ended up in technology. In doing so, it actually introduced me to the world of corporate marketing, which I enjoy and am currently in right now. Before joining Blackbaud, I worked as a community liaison for a police department for about 4 years, and that was actually one of my favorite jobs. It was really fun. I also did some work in non-profit organizations. Today, as a Senior Corporate Campaigns Manager, I lead brand-level campaigns that require a lot of cross-functional alignment. My work involves structured execution, strategic development, and communication that's really ultimately going to move the team forward. That team can be a team of 7, or that could be a team of 20 or more, depending on what communication or project or message we're launching. I'm responsible for leading what we call that go-to-market strategy. It's about communications and enabling people to be able to share those communications externally and internally as well. We've got to be on the same page with that message, and it's my job to make sure all of these teams are aligned and ready to share that message positively and accurately.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it would be a bit broader in that a lot of the work that I've done has all allowed me to build relationships and lead teams to successful outcomes. The key aspect of my work is to make sure that we reach a deadline and make these KPIs, or set these KPIs, that we're able to achieve, but in order to do that, my team has to be in sync first. That's my responsibility. Pulling that team together, that relationship building, building that trust, being the SME that is trusted by this team so we're able to reach the finish line is a win for me, every time. I love the relationship building. I love being able to connect with people in a way that they feel is trustworthy, but also still setting them up for success. I love when my colleagues come back to me and say, hey, thank you for all of your organization. That was great, it was easy, let me know when you need me again. That relationship building is key, and of course, obviously, completing the project according to the deadline and meeting those KPIs. I love being able to go back to the team and say, we did it. We've been promoting this for X amount of months, here are the numbers, your efforts paid off.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One of the things that I would share, related specifically to my goals and purpose, is that being capable isn't always enough. You have to be clear about your value, what you bring to the table, and be visible about your impact. That's what you've already done, and what you're setting out to achieve. I would also say that your association is really critical. Who do you associate with, and who wants to be in your corner, and whose corner do you want to be in? I think finding value in other individuals, especially these women who are just doing these incredible, amazing things across the globe, literally, and being vulnerable enough to share their stories and their journeys, is a really great way to start connecting with people, because people resonate with people. That networking and building that brand, because as you're connecting with people, you're also learning from them as well, and you're building your brand.
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