How have you helped improve organizations you’ve been a part of? 

How fortunate am I to have spent most of my career raising funds and awareness for nonprofit health care organizations which are making a meaningful impact in our community? We are fortunate to have a robust network of high-quality health care providers in Central Iowa and advocating for expanded access to care has been truly rewarding.

What motivates you? 

“You are the sum of who you surround yourself with.” The people I choose to surround myself with keep me motivated. My peers in the cancer field who have a deep compassion for patients, my school board colleagues who care authentically about students, my husband who juggles more than anyone I know – these individuals, and many others, motivate me to keep pushing for growth and improvement not only for myself, but for the causes and organizations that I care about.

Is there a memory or experience from your formative years that continues to influence your approach to life? 

Having young children, I reflect on childhood memories often. As I get older, some of my most formative moments are actually those of disappointment in times that I did not stand up for someone who was being bullied, or when I responded to negativity with my own negativity. Playing back those childhood interactions has influenced me to become a more compassionate woman. An incredible former leader would frequently state that “you will never regret taking the high road.” I couldn’t agree more and truly believe that kindness always wins. 

What piece of advice would you give to others who hope to make a difference in their communities?

I really believe in being the change you want to see. Find a cause or purpose that you genuinely care about and intentionally work to engage in ways that are meaningful to you. To make a difference, be consistent, authentic and collaborative. There is an African proverb about the value of community that states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 

What is a favorite book, show, movie, podcast, etc. that you’d encourage others to consume? 

I recently read “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business” by John Mackey and Rajendra Sisodia. The principles outlined in the book are applicable to leaders in every sector. Effective organizations are driven by higher purpose and are dedicated to serving the interests of all stakeholders.

How do you try to find balance and joy in the many activities you take part in? 

First, I choose to participate in activities that I truly care about. Doing this work feels personal. Then, I am mentally present when participating in those activities. If I start thinking about what I need to do next or multitasking, it just results in feeling stressed. Lastly, I am unapologetic about taking time for myself to recharge.   

What is one of your guilty pleasures? 

The Kardashians. 

What’s something many people don’t know about you? 

I am a proud fourth generation graduate of Des Moines Public Schools. 

What do you consider the greatest barrier to gender equity? 

Workplace policies and societal attitudes must move more aggressively to lighten women’s mental load. The mental load is the cognitive and emotional work most traditionally completed by women to care for their family and run a household. These added caregiver responsibilities unfairly position women at a disadvantage to men in the workplace and beyond. To begin to address the mental load, workplaces should allow staff scheduling flexibility, promote a culture of work-life balance and encourage staff to have open communication about their needs.

Who is an empowering woman that you look up to? 

I have been fortunate to have called many powerful, brilliant and inspirational women friends and mentors over the years. However, the empowered woman that I have looked up to my whole life is my mother, Debra Croft. Always chic and inviting, my mother seemingly effortlessly juggled continued career leadership and growth with being a present, selfless parent. 

What will it take for women to achieve gender parity in leadership positions? 

An acknowledgement in the workplace of the “gender promotion gap.” It is well documented that women are more reluctant to share their accomplishments than men and often become less visible when it is time to consider promotions. This is not because women don’t have accomplishments, but culturally women are taught that being assertive is undesired. Gender parity in leadership will exist when women can feel invited, encouraged and supported to share their accomplishments and become authentically visible. 

What support would be most helpful for business leaders to provide for their women and nonbinary employees? 

Mentorship, nonjudgmental space and honest conversations about career planning from both women and men in business leadership roles. Often it takes someone seeing something in you for you to recognize your own strength and gifts. Business leaders need to provide empowerment to women and nonbinary employees by helping them recognize their capacity to thrive.

Fill in the blank: If gender equity were achieved, the world would look like ________.

Reverence. A world of deep respect. A world where all people’s talents, ideas and contributions are equally regarded and evaluated on their merit. A world where everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated and honored.

Education: Bachelor’s in journalism with a double minor in business and English from the University of Iowa, MBA from Drake University (expected August 2024) 

Hometown: Des Moines

Family: Husband Izaah, stepson Chance, daughters Porter and Johnnie

Hobbies: DIY home projects, exercise, traveling, enjoying Des Moines

Words to live by: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Three notable accomplishments

• I was elected to the Des Moines School Board in 2021. In this public leadership position, I have helped to guide the largest school district in Iowa through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hiring of new superintendent, Ian Roberts, and worked to reimagine public education in a challenging environment. 
• Professionally, I have raised millions of dollars for local nonprofits that make our community stronger. My philanthropic efforts have garnered personal recognition as the Des Moines Register’s Young Professional of the Year “Amy Jennings Impact Award” recipient, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Fundraising Achievement Award and inclusion as one of the Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40.
• In my previous role at Broadlawns Medical Center, I strengthened community-based health care by championing LGBTQ inclusivity efforts, which resulted in the hospital receiving the One Iowa Sharon Malheiro Outstanding Leadership Award; by creating the Polk County Prescription Produce Program with Iowa Healthiest State Initiative to address food and nutrition insecurity for chronically ill patients; and by providing thousands of underserved community members with education, PPE, hand sanitizer and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic through the planning and coordination of the “Healthier Together: Win for All” campaign.

Watch Jenna’s remarks

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