When Jenna Herr (MBA ’19) was just six years old, she was introduced to a concept and word most children don’t encounter until much later: mentor. Jenna’s first-grade teacher signed her up for a program designed for children with incarcerated parents. Being paired with a mentor would unknowingly set the tone for the rest of her life. She began learning how to learn—not just from school, but from people.
Jenna has been shaped by pivotal advice, and several moments beyond that first-grade experience stand out. One of the most impactful came when she was a high school student and new mother working in a restaurant. Seeking guidance, she arranged an informational interview with the COO of the parent company, who offered caring yet blunt advice: “Don’t make a bad situation worse by getting married right now. Focus on your education.” He even offered to support her with a job and his tutelage if she went to college. She sprang home with a refocused mindset and immediately began applying for scholarships.
She was awarded the Dale Schroeder Memorial Scholarship which offered a full undergraduate financial award and introduced her to two mentors who remain close yet today. The funding and relationships were another of Jenna’s turning points. Her mentors helped with a variety of growth situations related to college and beyond. For example, when she began her career and felt out of place in the professional environment, they reminded her, gently and directly, “Of course you don’t fit in. All of the unique experiences you’ve had that got you selected for the scholarship give you a different perspective. Stop trying to fit in.” The reminder refocused her on her mission to pay it forward. She now helps others in the workplace see the value of their unique perspectives and contributions, no matter their background.
As she grew older, Jenna realized that mentorship was second nature for her while many of her peers were just beginning to understand its value. “There was a longstanding comfort in my finding other people to learn from,” she said. “I pay attention to people who demonstrate the qualities I aspire to have. I’ve observed outstanding storytellers and public speakers, risk managers with strong technical skills, and driven executives who lead with empathy. I’m never afraid to ask for a conversation. I figure out what they’re doing right, and then I apply those lessons myself.”
After gaining some post-BBA work experience, Jenna decided to propel her career by joining Wisconsin’s Risk Management and Insurance MBA program. The students are assigned mentors from the committed, involved, and motivating RMI MBA Advisory Board, two of whom remain her most influential mentors. One, through his analytical mind and structured thinking, inspires her to further embrace technical rigor. Another demonstrates and teaches her the art of navigating corporate dynamics and building relationships. “I draw from multiple people and figure out what it takes to be like them,” Jenna explained.
Jenna’s definition of a mentor is refreshingly broad: “If I’ve had more than one meaningful conversation with someone and I want to be like them, they’re my mentor.” At any given time, she considers a dozen people her mentors, some of whom may not even realize it.
Jenna has held interesting and challenging positions since graduating from the MBA program. Previously the Senior Risk and Compliance Specialist at Kearney, she is currently the Senior Director of Risk Management and Insurance at Equity Residential. All the while, she has made time to connect with prospective and current MBA students and speak at Wisconsin’s classes, while giving back to the programs at the University of Iowa that were so meaningful and beneficial to her undergraduate years.
Considering her experience and involvement with students, we are happy to share it was an easy decision to ask Jenna to serve on the RMI MBA Advisory Board. We, and our students, are so fortunate that she said yes. She understands (better than most of us) how important mentoring is, because she has spent nearly her whole life in its intentional practice. Jenna’s story is a reminder that growth is a choice that is built one lesson, one mentor, and one brave step at a time.
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