In celebration of this important month, we are featuring a special Q&A with some of JND’s women leaders. We encourage all to take a moment to explore the insights from the women that drive our team forward.

 

Q: What advice would you give your younger self at the beginning of your career?

 

I’d tell my younger self to trust her instincts and to stop measuring her pace against everyone else’s. Careers are marathons, not sprints. Consistency, communication, and protecting your well-being will take you further than trying to prove you have it all together. Also, your kindness is part of your impact, own it!
Sentoria Mitchem, Director - Human Resources

 

Be curious, be passionate, and be consistent.  Your curiosity will allow you to learn the big picture, your passion will show through in every role, and your consistency will allow others to rely on you.  Everything has an impact, and what you do matters.
Courtney Arndt, Vice President - Operations

 

Q: What is a leadership lesson you learned early in your career that still guides you today? 

 

I’ve learned that no one is going to push you to be a leader. You need to step up and pursue it through your own efforts and determination. Trust your instincts; accept challenges; be authentic; be fair; be kind." 
Gina Intrepido-Bowden, Vice President

 

I value hard work, honesty, clear communication, and humility. To earn others’ respect and inspire them to follow my direction, my actions must reflect these core principles. By leading through example, I help guide the team to move forward together toward a shared goal.
Christina Man, Vice President - Data Management

 

An early and formative lesson came to me in a poetry workshop I took in college. The format was intense: classmates took our poems home and returned with detailed critiques.  We had to sit quietly while others discussed all the ways our work could be improved. For many students it was brutal—some even left the room in tears. I learned how to write better poetry, but more importantly, I learned how to listen to criticism with genuine curiosity—even when it was a critique of something deeply personal. I learned how to focus on the thing we were building together and not my ego. That lesson stays with me as I develop as a leader: seek honest feedback, absorb it without defensiveness, and deliver it to others with care.    
Nicole Christ, Senior Vice President - Operations

 

One of my most valued leadership lessons, both then and now, is understanding the importance of recognizing and appreciating each team member’s contributions toward achieving our goals. I’ve learned to identify my strengths and challenges and take ownership of them by working to improve constantly. Growth comes from bringing my full self to every situation and demonstrating those qualities with the teams I’ve had the chance to work with. One of the most rewarding aspects has been earning and giving mutual respect, both internally and externally.
We need challenges to grow, and our strengths shine when we commit to continuous improvement.
The success of others has always been central to my management style, helping me become a better person and leader. One of my quotes that keeps me grounded is... “I don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but I do want to leave every room knowing that I learned something”. 
Shandy Garr, Vice President - Operations

 

Q: What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of women leaders? 

 

I want women to feel truly confident expressing themselves, even when conversations are difficult, while honoring their own unique voice. My hope for the next generation of women leaders is that they understand leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about how you show up, especially when courage and genuine connection with people matter most. More than anything, I want women to trust their voices: to share their perspectives, stand by their ideas, and advocate for their needs. As women leaders, supporting those around us goes hand in hand with our own growth. When we lead with both empathy and accountability, we not only succeed ourselves, but we open doors for others to thrive as well.
Renée Taylor, Vice President – Legal Affairs

 

I hope to inspire the next generation of women leaders to trust the value of their perspective. As a mother, I want my daughter—and her generation—to grow up knowing their voices matter and that they belong at the table where important decisions are made.  
Lara Jarjoura, Vice President - Operations

 

My hope is that the women I mentor walk away more confident in their own abilities than when we started. I believe that’s the most powerful thing a leader can cultivate in someone else. Through meaningful feedback, high expectations, and genuine support, our job as women in leadership today is to ensure that the next generation of women leaders earn and inhabit their roles with a deep belief in their own competence. 
Marcy Uhrig, Vice President - Operations