Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Gregoire. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessica , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

Embarking on an internship is like opening a door to the professional world, allowing you to step in and explore your potential career path without committing to a long-term job. It’s a transformative experience that offers valuable insights, lessons, and tools, all of which can pave the way for a successful future in your chosen field. Throughout your internship, you learn, grow, and develop a host of skills and knowledge that are far beyond the scope of any classroom. I will never forget when I first interned with Stace Abrams the summer I was a junior in highschool and it was such an invalauble experience. I learned so much from her. I appreciate the doors that have been opened for me over time by networking and also incorporating Education Development Leadership and Service as my platform. Recognizing the significance of networking is a pivotal aspect of any internship experience. It’s not a facet to be taken lightly, as your ability to connect with others can play a pivotal role in your career advancement. When undertaking an internship, it’s crucial to proactively seek opportunities to expand your professional network.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I first got into the legal field when I was a senior in highschool. I went to Palo Alto California for 2-1/2 weeks and parcipated in a law and trial conference. That is when I knew I had an interest in the industry, What sets me apart from others is my unique combination of strong analytical skills, a genuine passion for problem-solving, and the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, which allows me to consistently deliver impactful results in challenging situations. This is most evident in my work on a day to day basis. This accomplishment fills me with immense pride as it demonstrates my ability to not only excel technically but also collaborate effectively to achieve positive outcomes for the team.“One project I am proud of is when the team and I had to create a presentation for a potential client of ours. Although I’ve had plenty of experience creating presentations for internal teams, that was the first time I was tasked to present outside of the company. The trust my manager and team had in me was a great motivator for me to do great work. With the help of my team to gather information, I then confidently lead the presentation with our data, research, and reason to why the client should put money towards our business. We secured funding from the investor, which helped the company increase headcount to fuel our 40%+ revenue growth that year.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of the twists and turns that have shaped my path and defined who I am today. It all began iwhen i was 25 years old and, made a decision that would alter the course of my life forever, having a baby. My son Imre has changed me and my life for the better. One lesson that particularly resonated with me was the idea that the words we speak have the power to uplift and inspire, or to hurt and discourage. My late grandmother would often remind me to choose my words carefully, for I never knew how they might affect someone else. It was a lesson that would shape the way I interacted with others and the message I would later share. As I have navigated through life and becoming a young single mom, I encountered challenges and obstacles that tested my resilience. But with each setback, I drew strength from the teachings of my parents and grandmother and the support of those around me. I learned the importance of unity and collaboration, breaking down barriers and building bridges between communities. Today, as I stand before audiences sharing my story, I am reminded of the journey that brought me here. It’s a journey marked by perseverance, compassion, and a relentless determination to create positive change in the world. Through my words and actions, I strive to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles and pursue their dreams.
In my journey of resilience, I have discovered the true power of the human spirit—the ability to rise above adversity and emerge stronger than ever before. And as I continue on this path, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Positive team morale can be the difference between a high-performing team and a team just going through the motions. It can create an environment fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.On the other hand, low team morale can have a domino effect, leading to decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and even a toxic work environment. As a leader or manager, understanding the factors that influence team morale and implementing strategies to maintain a positive work environment is essential for the success of any organization.Positive team morale is characterized by camaraderie, mutual respect, and a willingness to collaborate and support one another. An ideal work environment fosters high morale regularly to motivate employees to go above and beyond. Low team morale is a reality in workplaces. Organizations go through times of low morale under various circumstances. Your real struggle as a manager is about what you can do to make a difference by genuinely impacting your team. Although employee satisfaction is hard to quantify, it must be measured before it becomes a problem.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: itsjessicachez
• Linkedin: jessicagregoire/linkedin