Juanita Reed, MBA

TESTED

I didn’t step into leadership the easy way.

I was tested.

By life. By loss. By circumstances that could have broken me if I let them.

I’ve walked through a divorce that forced me to redefine who I was. I’ve faced homelessness that stripped life down to survival. I’ve battled health challenges that made me question my own strength. And through it all, I was still a mother, still showing up, still pouring into my children, still finding a way when there didn’t seem to be one.

There were moments I had nothing but faith and responsibility.

But I decided I was not going to stay there.

At the same time, I was navigating corporate America, spaces where women, especially in male-dominated roles, are often challenged before they’re ever championed. I learned quickly that sometimes you’re not just doing your job, you’re proving you belong while doing it.

I felt the pressure.

I saw the doubt.

I recognized the unspoken expectations.

But I didn’t shrink to fit the room.

I expanded.

I leaned into every challenge, every obstacle, every moment that tried to tell me “No,” and I turned it into fuel.

And I delivered.

I built a career as an IT Portfolio Program Leader, leading high-impact programs and complex projects, establishing governance structures, and driving execution across enterprise initiatives. I became the one trusted to bring order to chaos, to lead teams through uncertainty, and to deliver results in environments where the stakes were high and the margin for error was low.

I stopped waiting for permission. I stopped looking for validation. And I realized something powerful:

I didn’t need to be invited to the table.

I could build my own.

That mindset didn’t just shape my leadership, it expanded it.

I stepped into entrepreneurship and became the Owner of Food Joint, leveraging my culinary skills to establish a mobile food service built from the ground up. A business rooted in purpose, community, and ownership. This journey earned me recognition as a new entrepreneur in Texas, including a scholarship and alumni distinction with the Texas Business Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to MBA students demonstrating exceptional entrepreneurial drive.

That’s where my leadership was solidified, not from comfort, but from resilience. Not from titles, but from experience.

My faith, strengthened through every trial I’ve faced, shaped me into a servant leader grounded in humility, guided by purpose, and committed to serving others even while carrying my own weight.

So I lead differently.

I lead with empathy.

I lead with strength.

I lead with purpose.

“Tested” isn’t just a chapter of my life; it’s the foundation of who I am.

The best career advice I have ever received was: "Never let your title define your value—let your impact define your legacy." Early in my career, I learned that opportunities often come to those who are willing to step beyond the boundaries of their job description, solve problems, and continuously learn. That advice shaped my approach to leadership and professional growth. Whether managing complex healthcare technology programs, mentoring future leaders, or building my own business, I have focused on creating meaningful results rather than chasing titles. It has taught me that resilience, integrity, and a commitment to serving others will open more doors than any position ever could. Looking back, the greatest opportunities in my career came from being willing to take on challenges others avoided and proving my value through action.

As influential women, if there’s one thing I want you to know, especially if you’re navigating rooms where you feel overlooked, underestimated, or outnumbered, it’s this:

You are not there by accident.

You don’t have to water yourself down to be accepted.

You don’t have to wait until you feel ready.

You don’t have to ask for permission to take up space.

You already belong.

And if the door doesn’t open, build your own.

If the table doesn’t welcome you, create one they can’t ignore.

Because everything you’ve been through?

It didn’t come to break you.

It came to build you.

I am proof that you can rise from anything, and not only rise, but lead.

I was tested.

And I’m still standing.

Stronger. Wiser. Unstoppable.

One of the greatest challenges and opportunities in my field today is leading large-scale technology and transformation initiatives while remaining agile, innovative, and aligned with rapidly evolving business needs. Healthcare organizations are under constant pressure to improve patient outcomes, strengthen cybersecurity, modernize technology, and increase operational efficiency, all while managing limited resources and competing priorities. As a healthcare IT portfolio leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate, I have learned that success requires more than technical expertise; it demands strategic vision, adaptability, and the ability to inspire and empower others. While balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, it also provides a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, mentor future leaders, and bring fresh perspectives from business ownership and community service into the workplace. I view every challenge as an opportunity to innovate, create value, and make a lasting impact on both the organizations and communities I serve.

My faith is the foundation of my life and guides both my personal and professional journey. I am actively involved in my church and regularly participate in faith-based activities that keep me grounded in the values of humility, compassion, and service. My three amazing adult children remain one of my greatest blessings, and today I am happily married, sharing life and running our food truck business alongside my husband. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with our two dogs and caring for my horses. Horseback riding offers me a sense of peace and reflection, providing balance in an otherwise busy life.

At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to servant leadership. I believe that true leadership is not measured by titles, authority, or personal accomplishments, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. Throughout my career, I have focused on empowering people, removing barriers to success, and creating opportunities for others to grow and thrive. Whether leading large healthcare technology portfolios, mentoring aspiring professionals, or supporting entrepreneurs, my goal is always to help others reach their full potential.

Having overcome significant challenges in my own life, I understand the transformative power of encouragement, mentorship, and opportunity. That perspective fuels my passion for giving back and helping others create better futures for themselves and their families. Today, my mission is to strengthen individuals and communities by sharing knowledge, developing leaders, and fostering self-sufficiency. Whether I am mentoring young adults entering the workforce, coaching entrepreneurs, supporting incarcerated individuals preparing for reentry, or serving those experiencing homelessness,

I strive to lead through service, compassion, and action.

For me, servant leadership is more than a philosophy—it is a way of life. My greatest fulfillment comes not from my own achievements, but from seeing others succeed, overcome obstacles, and realize possibilities they once thought were beyond their reach. That commitment to serving others is the legacy I hope to leave behind.