S4E6 - Jenny Gonzalez-Smith Leads with Empower

Senior Master Sergeant Jenny Gonzalez-Smith Leads with Empower

SMSgt Jenny Smith-Gonzalez is the Human Resources Advisor with the 103rd Airlift Wing of the CT Air National Guard. Jenny has over 20 years of service time with the Air Guard and her current role focuses on providing mentorship and coaching, diversity and inclusion training, and victim advocacy for Airmen. Additionally, Jenny serves her civilian community as a therapist.

"Leave it better than you found it and freaking take care of your freaking people!"

00:32: Episode Introduction and Roll Call - SMSgt Gonzalez-Smith and I met in the Summer of 2021 as she was planning the first-ever Women's Leadership Symposium for the CT Air National Guard. The symposium took place in the Fall of 2021 and included a leadership training with Empower. Jenny's positive attitude, tremendous leadership, and strong desire to develop a greater sense of mentorship and support amongst the airmen was very evident during our program together and it is an honor for introduce SMSgt Gonzalez-Smith Leads with Empower!

13:34: Leadership in Action - We discuss how leadership plays a role in Jenny's responsibilities as both a civilian and airman; including:

• Providing mentorship, coaching, diversity training, and victim advocacy services for Airmen through her role as the Human Resources Advisory with the 103 Airlift Wing
• Serving community members, age 5 to 75, through her work as a private-practice therapist
• Strategies to help strike a balance between family, personal, Air Guard, and civilian responsibilities
• Overcoming the challenges of the pandemic with an openness to learn and develop creative solutions

32:37: The Leadership Journey - We learn about Jenny's start in the JROTC program as a high school student and how that helped shape her 20 years of service in the Air National Guard. Jenny also discusses the people and events that have impacted her development as a leader, Airman, therapist, wife, and mother.

53:49: Finish the Drill - Our conversation closes with SMSgt Gonzalez-Smith sharing (1) the advice she's give to 18 year old Jenny, (2) her greatest leadership strength and challenge, (3) her favorite hobby, (4) the best leadership advice she's received, and (5) an inspirational message for those who are facing challenges.

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Find out more at https://lead-with-empower-podcast.pinecast.co