In this episode, you’ll hear the extraordinary journey of Jenni Lewis, a trailblazing leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, who turned every setback into a stepping stone.
From starting her career in the mailroom at J.P. Morgan to becoming the Global Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Block, Jenni has built a career defined by bold moves, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. She shares how she took a leap from finance to marketing, launched a podcast before podcasting was mainstream, and even faced professional consequences for daring to center LGBTQ+ voices. Along the way, she learned that embracing discomfort and failing forward are the true catalysts for growth.
Jenni also opens up about a life-altering wake-up call—a helicopter crashing onto her office building—that forced her to rethink her career, relationships, and purpose. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, stepping into leadership, or looking for the courage to take that next big risk, this episode will challenge and inspire you to rethink failure and see it as an essential part of success.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Bold Choices: Why trusting yourself and taking risks can unlock career-changing opportunities.
- Resilience in Action: How to navigate setbacks, pivot with confidence, and turn challenges into career breakthroughs.
- Leadership Through Inclusion: Why diversity isn’t just a corporate buzzword but a business imperative that drives innovation.
- The Gift of a Wake-Up Call: How a near-death experience led to radical self-reflection and a purpose-driven career shift.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[01:00] Introducing Jenni Lewis: Breaking Barriers
[03:49] Jenni's Journey: From Mailroom to Marketing
[08:59] Embracing Failure and Finding Gratitude
[16:03] The Role of Inclusion and Diversity in Leadership
[20:03] Why Jenni Chose Block
[24:11] Introduction to Momentum Metric Quiz
[24:39] Navigational Skills Gap in First-Generation Professionals
[25:01] Generational Differences in Workforce Integration
[26:04] Strategic Career Advancement for Women and People of Color
[27:15] Challenges in Networking and Soft Skills Development
[31:16] Imposter Syndrome and Leadership Journey
[34:31] Aha Moments and Personal Transformation
[38:18] Reflection and Grounding Moments
[40:32] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Secret by Rhonda ByrneQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: It's not how good you are. It's how good you want to be.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: EvolvingQ: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: I have an incredible partner who's changed my life so much now.Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I really just want to leave a legacy of opportunity and optimism wherever I go. And I want people to know that they can embrace them, their cells and their dreams. And so I'm really excited to be doing that through my consultancy.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Made for now - Janet Jackson -
Quotes
There are no mistakes as long as you are plucking the lessons from those mistakes and applying them to your future.
Jenni Lewis
When you look at I&D through various lenses, people may say it works, or it doesn’t. But through the lens of corporate Inclusion & Diversity, at the end of the day, these departments were founded to ensure that companies remain compliant—and there's a real need for that, right? There's a real need to ensure that companies aren’t just built on people hiring their friends, but that laws are in place and being upheld.
Jenni Lewis
Fair workplace means everyone benefits. Executives understand what it means to lead multicultural, multi-generational workforces.
Jenni Lewis
You can turn any obstacle into an opportunity, right? We’re here to learn, and embracing a growth mindset allows us to turn failure into opportunity.
Jenni Lewis
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About
Jenni Lewis is a Global Inclusion and Diversity Lead at Block, which includes Square, Cash App, and Tidal. She contributes to creating inclusive workplace experiences that foster belonging, learning, and innovation. Jenni’s work spans organizational culture, employee engagement, professional development, Inclusion programming and communications, driving measurable change across global markets.
Certified in both Leadership Coaching and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from NYU, Jenni is a passionate advocate for empowering individuals and teams to thrive through the lens of inclusion, helping to build workplaces where everyone can belong.
Her multifaceted career spans industries and disciplines, including her roles as Executive Director of Talent & Diversity at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Vice President of Digital Communications and Social Media for BNP Paribas Americas. At BNP Paribas, she also served as the Executive Global Chair for the BOLD Employee Resource Group, leading initiatives that elevated workplace culture and employee engagement.
Jenni is a published author and adjunct professor, teaching branding and media strategy to NYC gap-year students. Beyond her professional work, she is deeply committed to community impact. She serves as an empowerment coach and dedicates her time to the board of Surprise the Struggling, a nonprofit focused on reducing homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth and women in New York City.
Whether through her professional endeavors or volunteer efforts, Jenni is dedicated to helping others turn obstacles into opportunities, championing the power of storytelling as a tool for personal and professional success.