“Leadership is about humanity. People are at the beginning, middle and end of every process and decision. Once you invest in them, they will go above and beyond for the mission.”
Jennifer Jones Bryant is a highly regarded thought leader, executive coach and leadership development expert with a proven commitment to empowerment and transformational leadership. She is the executive founder of Reaching From Within and Empowerment Journey LLC and the president and CEO of the Step Into Leadership Greatness Foundation. Bryant is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations realize their full potential and achieve personal and professional success.
Bryant also has a distinguished public service legacy. She spent 31 years in the federal government, advancing from clerk-typist to executive director. Throughout her tenure in federal service, Bryant excelled in leading business management services, driving process improvements and fostering employee engagement within technology-driven organizations. Her leadership contributed to significant strides in organizational performance and solidified her reputation as a dynamic change agent.
Bryant’s impact extends well beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She has coached and mentored leaders across the federal and corporate sectors, helping them enhance their leadership capabilities, drive positive cultural change and achieve organizational success. During her corporate career, Bryant served in senior leadership roles in a Fortune 100 company, where she spearheaded initiatives to increase associate engagement, foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging, and improve organizational effectiveness. Notably, she led one of the largest women’s empowerment business resource groups, with 24,000 members, catalyzing meaningful organizational change.
Her extensive expertise encompasses designing, delivering and facilitating leadership development programs, workshops and summits to advance leadership capacity and organizational performance. These initiatives center on key themes such as coaching essentials, psychological safety, allyship, mentorship and collaboration, providing actionable insights that enhance leaders’ impact, influence and ability to drive organizational change. She is a visionary leader who consistently drives change, fosters inclusive leadership and delivers measurable results for organizations, leaders and employees. Her strategic insights and hands-on leadership ensure sustainable growth, collaboration and innovation across different sectors.
Experience
Leadership development and coaching: Designed and delivered high-impact training, workshops and summits focused on leadership efficacy, emphasizing psychological safety, allyship, coaching concepts and mentorship to foster collaboration and drive results in the federal government, and in the corporate and small business world.
Authorship: As a 13-time international bestselling author, her leadership books have reached thousands of readers worldwide, providing practical insights and strategies to foster personal growth and enhance leadership effectiveness.
Learning strategy: Architected the Associate Engagement and Cyber Learning and Development Strategy to standardize and enhance leadership development across the organization, ensuring a cohesive and scalable experience for associates and leaders alike.
Enterprise-wide impact: Conceived and implemented a groundbreaking domestic violence awareness initiative that engaged the federal government and corporate sectors, driving systemic awareness and change.
Advisory council leadership: Revitalized the Agency National Advisory Council in the federal government, creating a dynamic platform for senior leadership to directly engage with 55,000 front-line employees, effectively aligning strategic priorities and driving meaningful change across the agency.
Education, Training and Certifications
- Doctor of Philosophy and Leadership (Global Oved Dei Seminary & University)
- M.S. in International Affairs (University of Maryland, University College)
- B.A. Business Management, Minor Human Resources (Strayer University)
- Key Executive Leadership Programs (American University)
- Certified Senior Executive Service (Office of Personnel Management)
- Certified Prosci ® Change Management Professional Coaching Certification (Coaching Training Alliance)
- ICF Professional Certified Coach, ACC Women in Entrepreneurship (Cornell University)
- Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell University)
- Member, Executive Women in Government Women-Owned Business (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)
Personal
Lives in the Washington, D.C., area, with her husband and has two adult daughters. Enjoys traveling to tropical destinations, swimming and exploring new line dances. Serves as a proud member of the esteemed Zeta Phi Beta sorority.