For Gina Jackson, a class of 2015 Leadership Tomorrow graduate, every LT workshop gave her a sense of renewed hope. She enthusiastically shared what she learned with colleagues, friends and family. The opportunity to go behind the scenes and witness firsthand how Orange County leaders advocate for the needs of community members inspired Gina to leave her comfort zone, expand her skill set, and make a career move she could have never imagined.
While most agree that “knowledge is power,” Gina believes that knowledge without action is powerless. Leadership Tomorrow influenced her action to go back to school at age 50 to earn a master’s degree in social work. The Health and Human Services, and Justice and Public Safety workshops encouraged Gina to consider how she could become part of the solution, given the prevalence of problems like substance abuse and violence in the community.
In 2018, Gina moved from California to Virginia. Putting her LT experience into action, she became a Psychology Associate, providing therapy to severely mentally ill offenders in a state prison. She goes to work not knowing what to expect and comes home feeling purposeful. Her profession feels rewarding because she has the privilege of enacting positive change into the lives of others and leaving them better than she found them.
