Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Holt.
Hi Jenna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I seemed to have a wide imagination on what I wanted to be when I grew up. At first a dentist, then a wedding planner, then a professional harpist. Well I can say working in automotive was not a part of my childhood dreams, but it certainly has made a lot of my life’s dreams a reality!
My dad worked for GM for 33 years and loved working on cars, so I grew up in and around a variety of vehicles. As it came time to start exploring colleges, my parents and I went to an open house at Northwood University. I had only been on campus one other time for a DECA competition (student marketing club).
Before the open house was over, my parents and I really connected with the university vision, I met my soon-to-be college roommate who is still my best friend to this day, and I was told by the head of the Automotive Program, “If you pursue automotive, you’ll never work for free and it’ll be your golden ticket into the workforce.” Happy to share that is absolutely true and I have an amazing 8 year career with GM, many incredible experiences, and a diverse network of people to prove it!
What’s been the most rewarding part of my journey, is not the big milestones and advancements, but the journey itself where I’ve been tested, challenged, and grown professionally and personally. I’ve relocated for GM 4 times in 5 years. Although in the moment, each move felt like a world of unknowns in their own way, they also were the catalyst for some of the most amazing years of my life. I was given the opportunity to impact so many people’s lives and even after I’ve had to leave, those people left a lasting impact on my life too.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Relocating was very hard as a single young woman. No close by friends or family but the one thing I could count on was pageantry. In each state I lived in (Connecticut, California, Indiana, Michigan) there has been a community of women that have loved me and embraced me for being authentically Jenna. I truly do believe that pageantry saved me from many close calls with depression, because it was what helped me flourish in each place I lived.
From a professional standpoint, blazing my own trail in my career and not get “stuck” following someone else’s path was also a struggle. Although I moved 4 times, there were other opportunities that I turned down, knowing they were not what I wanted to do/where I wanted to go. I know everything happens for a reason, and despite having some very difficult conversations with my management at the time, I knew that if I didn’t stick up for my future, who would? If you’re ever in that situation, trust your gut and seek advice from a trusted advisor or mentor. You don’t always have to say “yes” to everything, but be aware if you don’t say “yes”, be ready to advocate for yourself on why.
If I had said “yes” to some of those opportunities, I would not be working in Global Marketing today. I know that for certain. Each decision and opportunity, taken or not, has lead me to being on the Global Chevrolet Team. It took me nearly a year of seeking extra projects, stretching my skillset, networking, and fighting for myself to go from sales to marketing. Contrary to popular belief, they are not the same, but they do need each other. That’s how I advocated for myself; I knew marketing was where I belonged and it was up to me to prove that they “needed” me on that team. Since March of this year, it’s been a whirlwind, but I’m having such a blast and know it’s exactly where I was meant to be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, I work for one of the most successful brands in the world as the Global Chevrolet Marketing Lead. I get to work with teams across the globe to build strong strategies and processes to continue growing the Chevrolet brand outside of the US (Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, Middle East, etc).
I’m most known for my ability to work well with anyone and everyone because of my vivacious personality. Which, is what I am most proud of: Every story of growth and success I have been myself through it all and I have not had to “fake it till I make it”.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is going on bike rides down our dirt road with my family in the little add-on kid back seat on my dads bike. Not like the wagon style ones…the old plastic bolted on frame seat that’s probably not safety approved by today’s standards – HA!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jennaholt8
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jenna-holt-m-b-a-26b416a0
