Her Story
About Justine
I work at a nonprofit as a senior director, managing over 37 partnerships. I also work in private practice, and I support women in advisory positions of leadership who are trying to recalibrate their identity. My work is focused on the high-achieving woman leader who is successful but has built that consistency, capability, and output, yet has reached that level where it is no longer sustainable to continue to function in the same way. I'm really supporting them in that transition. In my role, I do a lot of collective and collaborative work with my partners, and even in that sense, as a leader, I'm navigating how to trust that my partners in different organizations are going to hold their end without feeling like if I give up or relinquish that piece, am I in competition or will it get done. We see that kind of revolving in all areas of the work that I do. I innately believe that all humans have the ability to change and make improvements in their lives with the necessary resources and tools, and so in each part of the work that I do, if you have those necessary resources, you are able to unlock your change.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Justine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my higher power, God, my family, and my mom - seeing the grit and grind of her doing the work. The strong mentors that I've had in my life have been instrumental. My family, my husband, and my children provide incredible support. The strong group of women that I call close friends have been essential. And the vast manner of experiences have shaped the way I show up in all that I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is not to keep yourself locked in a box. To step outside. You are greater than the box that people try to place you in. This advice has really shaped how I approach my work and my identity as a leader, reminding me not to be confined by others' expectations or limitations.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
What I found in the work and continue to unpack is women leaders not having the space or the language to be vulnerable. It's hard to say, I'm successful, and yet I'm exhausted, I'm over-functioning, my brain doesn't turn off - because is that the price of my success? We don't have spaces to be vulnerable to have those courageous conversations. So, beyond just recognition, it's lifting the conversation to a global level that makes it okay. In the framework I've built, the first stage is reveal - being able to just reveal the systems behind what I'm feeling brings relief enough. Obviously going down deeper and being able to recalibrate fully your identity to then match how you lead and continue to be successful in your role is the goal. It's not about leaving your role, it's not about doing less, but it's about how you show up in that role and it not drain you. Being able to bring light and information to this in this space is very passionate to me, so having a platform to be able to elevate this is what's important.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I innately believe that all humans have the ability to change and make improvements in their lives with the necessary resources and tools. In each part of the work that I do, if you have those necessary resources, you are able to unlock your change. This belief grounds everything I do - whether it's in my nonprofit work, private practice, or supporting women in leadership advisory roles. It's about providing people with what they need to transform their lives and leadership.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · New Jersey
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.