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Fabulous People: Jenica McMaster

Jenica McMaster is the Managing Director for Nonprofit Relations at Uncommon Giving. After a wild ride in politics, working at the White House and in NYC for the Republican National Convention,  Jenica and her husband Dave (a Tempe Native) settled in Scottsdale where they raise their three daughters. She has been the co-chair for the Governorā€™s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment-Outreach Subcommittee for the past few years as well as a member of the local outreach committee for Scottsdale Bible Church. Jenica can be found volunteering in the community with various nonprofits in her free time and loves to see and share the impact nonprofits make with the most vulnerable in our community. Learn more about Jenica McMaster…

Hometown: Born in Wichita, Kansas (lived in 12 different cities over my lifetime)

First job: I have always loved to work! I was a lifeguard, a bank teller/ bank marketing, a tanning salon manager, camp counselor and I did retail sales- all before graduating college! After college my first job was at the White House in the office of Public Liaison. I then moved to NYC to book talent for the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden. From there I planned events for various companies and helped bring a nonprofit called CarePortal to Maricopa County. It was in that job that I fell in love with the nonprofit heroes in Arizona and across the globe!

Current Job: Managing Director, Nonprofit Engagement for Uncommon Giving. I have the privilege of onboarding and building relationships with nonprofits for our generosity platform. Iā€™m so excited to give nonprofits the opportunity to reach a broader audience and share the impact of their work.Ā 

Favorite AZ restaurant: This is hard because Iā€™m a foodie! I would have to say Mora. It just reminds me of New York with the ambiance and the food is amazing

Person who has impacted your life the most:Ā 
(other than Jesus, my hubby and my momĀ ?)
I would have to say my dad. My dad has taught me so much about generosity. Growing up he would say: ā€œa gift is not a gift if there are strings attachedā€. He is one of the only people I know who gives generously without wanting anything in return. He also makes promises and he keeps them. Another ā€œdad sayingā€ is: ā€œpromises made creates hope butĀ promises kept creates trustā€. He has been through so much in his life and he never gives up, he presses on no matter what happens, with optimism. Everyone else I know would buckle under one of the many things he has going on, but not dad, he finds solutions and perseveres and has new vision.

Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: My biggest accomplishment is probably raising kids who love to serve others. I have done all sorts of things wrong in parenting (so far) but I truly have 3 kids who love to serve others and love to serve their community- and that is what really matters. 

The biggest obstacle you have overcome:Ā Frustration! One of my top 5 strengths (strength finder) is ā€œachieverā€ (Iā€™m also an enneagram 8 for you enneagram lovers!). The world tells us that we can ā€œhave it allā€ and I have found that to be impossible! I have to overcome frustration daily and recognize that I canā€™t do everything I want to do: I canā€™t be 100% engaged at my kids’ schools, giving 100% at work, managing every aspect of our home, being an awesome friend to others (and joining in on all the social opportunities), volunteering for every nonprofit I love and leading ministry at our church. I want to do it all, but when I try, something always suffers. I just have to be intentional about my ā€œyesā€ and that means I often miss out on opportunities, activities or fun social activities. Over the years I have learned to really just try to engage in things that matter.

Someone who inspires you:Ā I am inspired every day! I canā€™t possibly name just one person. Iā€™m inspired by the families who foster children and put in the hard work with trauma. Iā€™m inspired by nonprofit leaders who serve so selflessly and often without thanks. Iā€™m inspired by moms who pour their heart and soul into their kids and make so many sacrifices to do so. Iā€™m inspired by community leaders and political leaders who collaborate and unite around a common good. We are surrounded by so many heroes!

Favorite quote: ā€œThere is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you donā€™t care who gets the creditā€ Ronald Reagan

Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Learn to serve! I have learned Servant leadership from several of my bosses through the years- and especially my dad. There is authenticity in someone whose goal is to serve and it creates teams who are loyal and love to go work!

What you think makes someone fabulous: Authenticity and beauty from within!

Photo Credit: Rene Tate
Family: Dave (husband of 16 years, met at the White House), Ellie (13), Izzy (11) Milly (8)

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