Member Monday: Jessica Dienna
This Monday, we are featuring Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) member Jessica Dienna as part of our Member Monday series. Jessica is the chair of the Membership Development committee and currently works for Ally Bank. Read more about the Georgia native below.
1) Thanks for taking time to share some personal insights with us today. Can you give us some background information- tell me about your family and early years?
I am a Georgia Peach and a Carolina Girl; I was born and raised in Roswell, GA and went to school at Clemson University. I moved to Charlotte approximately 8 years ago for a relationship that fizzled out and quickly realized that my love was for the city, career, and friends. My family lives all over so I call my Charlotte friends my family.
I am extremely lucky and have met my best girlfriends in the JLC! I was a Provisional Advisor and was honored to have amazing groups of ladies who have taught me so much about myself. I have two incredibly spoiled Shih Tzus named Stitch and Lulu. They are the light of my life and my soul pups! I am pretty sure they are honorary JLC members for how many hours they have helped with emails, counting hours, meetings, and various naps in the meeting rooms :).
I work in my dream job at Ally Bank as the Ally Invest Program Manager for Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing, and Fraud. It is a mouthful but extremely interesting and keeps me on my toes.
In my spare time I just bought a house in Madison Park and I’m trying to learn how to be handy and fix various items while learning to enjoy yard work…
2) What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?
Worst decision … joined tinder/bumble/match/any dating site to try and find a “man”
Best decision … trusting my friends and learning to enjoy being single and awesome
3) What woman inspires you and why?
Arina Kirk – Arina has received many texts / phone calls from me as I asked for advice and help. She’s allowed me to give side eyes and has laughed at/with me the entire time. Arina has been there for me through some tough times and is willing to drop everything to meet me for coffee and talk me off the ledge. She is an incredible woman and I am grateful I have had the chance to work with her. She helped me figure out how to be an effective leader and pushes me to always get better while remembering why we all joined the JLC. Arina – thank you for being you!!
4) From start to finish, what would your ideal day be like?
Oh gosh …. Can I say spoon with my pups and watch Netflix all day during a rain storm haha!
Ok … wake up and go work out (recently on a Pilates kick) then have an all day brunch with my favorite ladies while laughing, crying, and telling stories. The day would end with pizza and more wine!
5) What keeps you up at night?
JLC-related – Are provisionals enjoying the year and their experience?
Career-related – If the criminals would just spend some time on something positive we would all be in a better place.
Other-related – When is Stranger Things 3 going to be released!?
6) If you could tell your 23-year-old self one thing what would it be?
When you turn 30 you will be single which will be fine and your metabolism will magically slow down and suddenly you have to learn to like salad! (I’m still working on liking rabbit food.)
Also, don’t waste time on people who you do not feel complete you … life is too short to “smile and nod” through the day.
7) One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am an extreme introvert! Walking into the GMMs still gives me anxiety even though I have met a lot of people.
I joined the JLC after I had been in Charlotte for a year and realized I had no girlfriends after a horrid break up. I met some amazing women and slowly started to come out of my post-break up shell. A therapist actually challenged me to fill out the Willingness to Serve form for leadership as a ‘homework assignment’ to put myself out there and try to meet people. I did that and have been a member of MDC ever since. For once I am grateful for homework.
As much as I love being extremely busy with my career, JLC, friends, Arts and Science Council, etc… I need down time to recharge. So if you ever reach out to me and don’t hear back for 24 hours it is because I turned my phone off and I’m recharging with a Netflix marathon or reading a book.
And my favorite animal is a walrus.
8) How has the Junior League helped you develop your potential, taught you something unique, and/or given you an opportunity that you never would have had otherwise?
The JLC was there for me when I didn’t know if there was anyone. When I joined I was heartbroken, in a city I barely knew, and was going through medical problems because why wouldn’t that be the cherry on top. The JLC gave me an excuse to get out of bed to volunteer and allowed me a safe place to meet friends without any pressure. Every year I am in the JLC I meet even more amazing and talented women who I am blessed to call my best friends! They allow me to drink white wine in the middle of winter, text them at 2am when I wake up from a nightmare, cry with me when my pups are sick, and overall laugh with me when I can’t keep my facial expressions hidden.
The JLC has taught me how to be a leader to different personality styles (I love all of you provisionals but managing everyone, there is a different personality trait for each person). I have also learned how to multitask and not be afraid to ask for help. I used to think I had to do it all until I realized delegating made everyone feel engaged and more ideas were always better.
Without the JLC I would not have met the friends and mentors who have helped me get involved with other non-profit organizations in Charlotte. I am a leader due to the JLC.
Written by Marielle Harris
