Jessica Lea Moreno-Krenz

I attribute my success to hard work and intentional, diligent effort. I knew everything I did was for a bigger purpose, and I had a bigger goal in mind. I just never lost sight of it. I never stopped choosing it. From the time I was 5 or 6 years old, I knew what I wanted to do, and I worked intentionally toward that dream for 25 years until I achieved it. Every step along the way, even when I was in inventory management, retail, or B2B sales, I was always part of the philanthropic team because I never lost focus on where I wanted to end up.

The best career advice I've ever received was to trust my instincts. Every major career leap I've made came with resistance from people around me telling me it wasn't a good idea. Each time, I've trusted my gut, moved forward anyway, and it has led me exactly where I was supposed to be. That willingness to trust myself has played a huge role in getting me to where I am today.

Another piece of advice that wasn't necessarily career advice at the time, but has shaped my career tremendously, came from my father. He taught me to treat everyone the same, whether they're a CEO or a janitor. I've carried that lesson with me throughout my life and career, and it has been incredibly valuable.

In my line of work, relationships matter. I've had countless conversations with people simply because I enjoyed getting to know them, not because I wanted something from them. More than once, I've later discovered that person was in a position to make a significant impact for an organization I was working with. Those experiences reinforced something I deeply believe: people can tell when you're genuinely interested in them versus when you're chasing a transaction. Treating people with respect and authenticity will open more doors than any sales pitch ever could.

I would tell them to lead with their heart. This industry is not easy, and at its core, it is 100% relational. If you get too deep into the weeds of making money, you simply will not survive in this field. You have to have a certain level of compassion to do this work well.

The relationships you build, the people you help, and the impact you make matter just as much as the results you achieve. I wholeheartedly believe that if you put good into the world, good will come back to you. It may not happen right away, but it will. Stay focused on serving others, and the rest has a way of falling into place.

One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was learning not to let other people's perceptions define me. As a young Hispanic woman in business, there were times when I felt underestimated before I even had the opportunity to prove myself. I spent a lot of energy trying to overcome those assumptions, but eventually I realized that what made me different was also one of my greatest strengths. Once I stopped viewing it as a disadvantage and started leaning into who I was, everything changed.

In my current role, one of the biggest challenges has been stepping into leadership within a growing startup environment. When you're helping build something from the ground up, there isn't always a roadmap. There are plenty of days when a new challenge comes across my desk and I have to learn in real time. That learning curve can be intimidating, but it has also been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

From an industry perspective, funding continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing nonprofit organizations. We work with incredible groups every day that are doing meaningful work, but securing the resources they need to sustain and grow that impact is becoming increasingly competitive. That challenge also creates opportunity. Building authentic relationships, connecting the right people, and creating meaningful partnerships have never been more important. There are always new relationships to build and new rooms to enter, and I believe those connections are often where the greatest opportunities for growth begin.

Honesty and integrity are at the top of the list for me, both professionally and personally. I believe trust is built through consistency, transparency, and doing what you say you're going to do, even when it's difficult.

Open-mindedness is another value that has always been important to me. Some of the greatest opportunities, relationships, and lessons in my life have come from being willing to listen, learn, and consider perspectives that are different from my own.

One value that has become a cornerstone of my career is embracing change. I know that's not everyone's favorite thing, but I've always viewed change as an opportunity rather than something to fear. Growth rarely happens when we stay comfortable. Being willing to adapt, pivot, and move forward has served me well throughout my career and personal life. In many ways, it's the perfect fit for the work I do because the one constant in my field is change.