jenna: treasure every day
Jenna is an aspiring social entrepreneur and former soccer player who lives in Cranston, Rhode Island.
I first met Jenna my freshman year at Wheaton College, but it really wasn’t until last year that we really got to know one another and became friends. If I only had three words to describe Jenna, they would be authentic, resilient, and ambitious. I’m thankful that I get to write more. Despite a devastating ACL hindering her soccer career, the risks of entrepreneurship, and the fact that men dominate the business world, Jenna hasn’t let any of it stop her from pursuing her passions. She always finds a way.
Attitude
The key to it all is her attitude. Instead of fighting her circumstances and simply striving for success, Jenna accepts the daily triumphs and tribulations, and works to find joy and love for the journey. Through soccer, this attitude has enabled her to grow a deep appreciation for her ability to push herself, while also recognizing her limits and the value of her teammates. Similarly, in her pursuit of work with nonprofits and social ventures, Jenna has discovered the power to define herself regardless of the social expectations of young women without forgetting to balance individuality with the influence of good friends.
Creativity
Jenna’s attitude of being open to life’s experiences and learning from them have made her an incredibly creative individual. During a social entrepreneurship bootcamp we both attended, Jenna came up with the idea for a clothing brand designed to encourage first responders to talk about the stigmatized topic of mental health and prevent suicide. Her pitch not only placed first among our group presentations, but also got accepted to the Draper Pitch Competition.
Looking Forward
This Fall, Jenna will be continuing her education with an accelerated MBA program at URI and as an assistant coach for a high school soccer team. Looking ahead, Jenna told me:
“After that [graduating with my MBA], the future is unclear, but that’s okay. I try not to put too much pressure on myself because I know it will all work out in the end. I am just trying to appreciate the journey.”