NEA Women of all ages in Business: Tamika Jenkins

Tamika E. Jenkins
Mississippi County Economic Advancement Vice-president
Blytheville

Residence: Blytheville
Training: B.S., substance engineering, Iowa Point out University M.S.M., project management, Colorado Technical University online
Expert track record: Jenkins has been the Mississippi County Economic Growth challenge coordinator considering the fact that 2007 and was recently named vice president. In the course of her tenure, she has been associated in quite a few financial advancement jobs in the county. Prior to her employment with MCED, she served as the government director of the South Mississippi County United Way.

What was your aspiration position as child and why?

My desire position as a child was to be a beautician, but then that advanced to an engineer. With each work opportunities, I just preferred to make factors much better. Being a beautician would have permitted me to make individuals truly feel great about by themselves. Staying an engineer would build a safer natural environment or a lot more productive equipment for people today to use.

What has been the most satisfying minute of your occupation so far?

The most fulling moment of my vocation has been the potential to discover how to give technological guidance to nonprofit corporations – being equipped to link them with money assets, guide in grant crafting, and to witness the caring energy of folks when their fellow person is down on his luck. I also had a wonderful time doing the job with the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and connecting with disenfranchised citizens, to hear their voices and meet up with their requirements.

What guidance would you give younger gals who are at the commencing of their careers?

Be affected individual and prepared. If an possibility is intended for you, a doorway will open up. But you also have to be ready to walk through that door with self esteem.

What’s the up coming significant personalized or profession challenge you system to choose on?

Currently being the initial African American lady in Arkansas to get a certified economic developer designation. A CEcD is just one of the highest honors an financial developer can attain. There are at present considerably less than 20 people in the state of Arkansas who have their CEcD.

How do you devote your time absent from work? What are your hobbies?

Time absent from work occasionally is nonexistent, but I enjoy to delight in time with my 7-calendar year-old son. We sing, dance, and chase every single other all-around the residence.

What’s the past excellent reserve you read through?

“Surgery for the Soul,” a e book about forgiveness by Dr. Brenda Caldwell.

Of all the mentors in your skilled occupation, who has been the most influential and why?

There are various women of all ages in financial improvement that I admire, but none like the late good Maria Haley. She exemplified grace beneath tension whilst retaining it real all at the identical time. I felt she was a excellent director of the Arkansas Economic Enhancement Fee and I liked her leadership really significantly.

What is a thing unique that people today would be amazed to know about you?

I can converse fairly very good German. [Jenkins minored in German at Iowa State.] Whenever I hear a team of strangers talking German, I generally chime in, and they are usually surprised and welcome me into the conversation.

Can you share what you have figured out about your company from the COVID-19 pandemic?

I have acquired that we have to have far more workers at my group. I want I could have assisted a lot more businesses in implementing for the COVID-19 means that had been depleted so rapidly. I want we could have worked carefully with the local chambers to disseminate facts so the little organizations could stay afloat throughout these really hard instances.

What’s your beloved app at the second?

Confession — I live on Facebook.

If you have a bucket list, what are the leading a few points on it?

Take a look at Japan and Dubai, see my son grow to be a chief in the neighborhood, and receive my CecD.

What character traits do you feel have benefited you in your accomplishment?

The ability to link with a variety of men and women. Financial developers and NPO [nonprofit organization] leaders have to be a social butterfly of some sort. Though I’m not the most social butterfly, I have a sturdy connection to all those who let me to befriend them.

What is your biggest passion and why?

My biggest passion is viewing my community grow. Expansion needs alter, get the job done, and determination. I adore to see persons in my local community doing the job for a improved tomorrow.