In a conversation powered by Bank of America, Jennifer Treviño, the executive director of Leadership Fort Worth, shared her journey and urged students to seize the moment to lead and identify opportunities to make a significant impact.
October 15, 2024
By Alexandria Salinas
The Against All Odds: Stories of Grit and Determination speaker series, powered by Bank of America, continued this semester with featured guest Jennifer Treviño MBA ’04, a TCU alumna and executive director of Leadership Fort Worth. Hosted by TCU Neeley’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, the event drew students, faculty and staff eager to learn from Treviño’s insight on leadership, perseverance and representation.
The afternoon began with a welcome from Craig Crossland, the John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business, who emphasized the series’ role in promoting inclusive leadership. Crossland thanked attendees and noted how this event reflects the Neeley Promise of unleashing human potential with leadership at the core and innovation in our spirit.
“This series amplifies the voices of diverse business leaders, teaching us how they turn barriers into breakthroughs,” Crossland said. He also credited Ann Tasby, director of the Neeley Office of Inclusive Excellence and an accounting faculty member, for her work in making the series possible.
Treviño described her journey as a leader and TCU alumna. At Leadership Fort Worth, she fosters leadership across diverse communities and stressed the importance of making one’s voice heard, especially for underrepresented groups.
The Against All Odds moderator David Russell ’12, a Neeley alumnus and a member of the Neeley Board of Advisors, opened the fireside chat-style discussion by asking how Treviño defines grit.
“I would define grit as refusing to take no for an answer and continuing to push on,” Treviño said. She noted the importance of representation and urged Hispanic women to actively pursue leadership roles. “In order for more Hispanic women to be in leadership, they have to show up. It’s not enough to wait for an invitation to the table. You have to be willing to take the risk and make things happen.”
Reflecting on her personal experiences, Treviño recalled attending a local football game with her family after moving to a new area.
“I noticed how people in the stands stared at us. We were new to the community and looked different from everyone else there. That was the moment when I realized that our presence was going to be different from what people were used to,” she said.
Treviño’s Against All Odds message can be encapsulated in three key takeaways that serve as advice for aspiring leaders: 1) seize the moment to lead, 2) maintain momentum and 3) make your mark. The first step is to get involved.
“Find something to get involved with; there are tons of students who need help with reading and mentoring,” Treviño said. “These opportunities don’t require a huge time commitment but can make a significant impact.”
Kenna Downs, a senior majoring in Management, was particularly inspired and motivated by the examples of empowerment that Treviño shared with the audience.
“I appreciated how she said that for more Hispanic women to be in office, they have to show up,” Downs said. “This reminds me that to make things happen, I need courage and execution.”
Downs’ reflection captured the overall message - change, both personal and societal, comes from those willing to step up and lead.
Tasby emphasized the mission behind the Against All Odds series, explaining that the series serves as a platform for diverse leaders to share candid insights to equip students to confidently overcome obstacles in the evolving global workforce.
She also expressed gratitude for Bank of America’s sponsorship, which funds access initiatives for students facing challenges like meal insecurity, textbook affordability and the need for business attire.
The series, sponsored by Bank of America, remains a cornerstone of TCU Neeley’s efforts to promote dialogue on diversity, equity and inclusion. Through speakers like Treviño, students are exposed to real-life examples of resilience and leadership.
Treviño said, “Every step of my journey taught me the importance of being present and taking action when it’s needed most.”
