Once you have reached the top of your professional journey, people often ask how you first stumbled upon your career path. Why did you choose what you do currently? Well, for some, it’s merely an opportunity that they grabbed and for others, it’s their passion and perseverance to do what they love the most and pursue it as a career. Such is the inspiring story of Jenna Williams, a Relationship Banker in Northern California. She lives by a Maya Angelou quote-“People will forget what you say, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.

 

When someone asked her why she went into sales, Jenna’s answer was “I don’t know how I knew it, but I wanted to be a salesperson. I guess they say do what you love, and what you have a passion for. I liked talking to people, their businesses, and their stories and sharing mine”.

 

Jenna’s Extraordinary Career Trajectory

 

With hard work comes success and Jenna’s professional career path is an example of turning dreams into reality. At every step of her journey, she has fulfilled each of her roles with integrity and immense dedication leading to excellence in the long run. Jenna’s professional journey started at 18, her first job was working in the restaurant industry, where she gained recognition for her work and secured the title of a top product seller. After experiencing the taste of success at an early stage of her career, her passion for sales escalated and she shifted her gears into a sales career. From 1998 to 2003, she worked at Silicon Maps, Inc., as a sales and project manager, where she polished her skills in customer relations and project management. Later, she moved to Inter-Tel gaining much knowledge about the communications industry.

 

On the personal forefront, Jenna started her family, spent time with her children, and made their former years memorable. After a hiatus, she began her second inning by re-entering the professional world with Wells Fargo in 2007. In the following years, she served multiple roles in the banking sector, built her acumen, and earned a reputation for herself in the industry. In 2021, Jenna transitioned to Community Banking, refining her skills in commercial lending, her next role was at Fremont Bank, where she excelled as a Relationship Manager. In 2023-2025, she spent two years in specialty finance as an SBA finally moving back to Relationship Management serving to educate and assist businesses in her community gaining access to capital + services to become efficient which offers her a good balance between her professional ambitions and personal life.

 

Empowering Fellow Women Professionals in the Industry

 

As a woman leader, Jenna believes her contribution to supporting other women professionals is of paramount importance. She is actively involved with Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and served in multiple board roles, including DEI Director, Programs Committee, Membership Committee, and her current position as Relationship Banker. Her commitment to CREW reflects her belief in the importance of women supporting women, a cause she deeply values. Additionally, Jenna is actively involved with Calpaws K9 Rescue (A German Shepherd Dog Rescue), reflecting her broader commitment to civic engagement and community service. “The joy in giving back and lifting others gives me strength,” she reflects, demonstrating her belief in the positive energy that comes from paying it forward.

 

The Wall of Achievement

 

In her long career of two decades, Jenna has won many prestigious awards and accolades for her performance and comprehensive work in the banking and financial services industry. For her expertise and leadership, she was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who of Professionals.

 

Women for Business, Finance, and Leadership. In 2024, she was named a Top Small Business Administration Specialist of the Year by IAOTP’s annual awards gala at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. Stephanie Cirami, President of the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), praised Jenna, stating, “Choosing Ms. Williams for this honor was an easy decision for our panel to make. She is inspirational, influential, and a true visionary and thought leader.” In 2020, IAOTP awarded Jenna with Empowered Woman of the Year. She has also been featured in leading magazines across the globe for women, leadership, entrepreneurship editions, and more.

 

An All-Inclusive Approach

 

Jenna’s success is a story of resilience, immense hard work, and constant motivation to achieve each goal at every step of the journey. At a young age, she was intrigued by mathematics, which naturally evolved into a talent for banking and investing. She is tremendously grateful for the multiple opportunities that came her way and till today remains committed to working hard and leveraging her expertise for the benefit of her clients.

Apart from the finance and banking sector, Jenna’s acumen in real estate is phenomenal. She has embarked on a journey of self-investment by acquiring various rental properties, with plans to expand this venture in the coming years. She has successfully applied her knowledge to her investments, acquiring residential and commercial properties in California and Nevada. In the future, she aims to own more than 20 properties by the time she retires, a testament to her ambitious nature and strategic mindset.

 

Apart from her professional life, Jenna enjoys playing golf, gardening, cooking, and indulging herself in activities that keep her active and happy. She reckons personal well-being is as important as professional pursuits, hence she dedicates time to her well-being practicing the pranayama yogic technique, which focuses on breath regulation. This practice reflects her holistic approach to life, balancing professional ambitions with personal fulfilment.

Jenna is a people person fond of all the relationships she has nurtured along the way. She values the connections she has built and remains open to forming new ones, ensuring a dynamic and enriched career and personal life. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and a relentless drive to achieve excellence while maintaining a grounded and balanced life.

 

Jenna’s Golden Piece of Advice from Her Valuable Experiences

 

Jenna offers precious advice for future leaders and entrepreneurs in banking and financial services. Here are some key growth drivers to focus on, she pens:

 

• Give Wings to Your Passion: I believe, one should find what excites them the most and turn their passion/hobby into their career. Channel your passion into developing expertise and excelling in your respected industry.

 

• Embrace Integrity and Dedication: Be a follower upholding the highest standards of integrity and commit fully to your goals. Your reputation as a reliable and trustworthy professional will be your greatest asset.

 

• Strike a Balance between Professional and Personal Life: Maintain a balance between career and personal life. Pursue hobbies and activities that bring joy and contribute to overall well-being.

 

• Invest in Yourself: Continuously seek opportunities for learning and growth. Stay updated on industry trends and acquire new skills and knowledge by actively participating in various courses and more.

 

• Be a Visionary: Set clear objectives for professional and personal achievements. Ambitious goals will drive efforts and provide direction. Pave your unique path. Build and Nurture Relationships: Cultivate strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and industry peers. Genuine connections built on respect and support are most rewarding.

 

• Give Back to the Community: Engage in community service and support causes that resonate with you. Civic contributions will enrich your life and enhance your professional reputation.

 

• Find and Be a Mentor: Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional growth. Having a mentor provides valuable experience and guidance while being a mentor allows you to honor your journey by helping others develop.

 

I believe in the significance of mentorship in shaping one’s career and personal development. As Bob Proctor wisely noted, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”

 

A Journey to Remember

 

To sum it up, Jenna’s journey from working at a restaurant to becoming a demonstrated leader in banking highlights a remarkable blend of passion, purpose, courage, and motivation. Her professional journey is a representation of not only her exceptional professional talents but also her commitment to personal growth, community involvement, and mentorship. She has set a benchmark for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs in the financial sector by constantly making an effort to shine in her personal and professional life. With her profound experience, she has managed the art of balancing her career and personal life. Today, she stands as a role model for others in the finance sector.

 

As a visionary leader, Jenna is driven by her ambition to mark a lasting impact on the community and the lives of others. In the future, she is focused on inspiring those around her, helping small business owners, and mentoring the young minds of tomorrow.