Kendra Stearns Drozd

Please introduce yourself and describe your current work and areas of focus.

I am Kendra Stearns Drozd. My professional background includes advertising, consumer packaged goods marketing, executive recruiting, and community service. Earlier in my career, I worked in advertising in Chicago, earned my MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and later worked in marketing at Kraft Foods and as an Executive Recruiter at Bloom, Gross & Associates. Today, much of my focus is on family, volunteer leadership, and serving as a commissioned Stephen Minister, where I provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals facing difficult life circumstances.

What has been the common thread throughout your career?

The common thread has always been understanding people. In advertising, I needed to understand consumers. At Kraft, I needed to understand customer behavior. In recruiting, I needed to understand candidates and employers. As a Stephen Minister, I need to understand what someone is experiencing and how to support them. The industries changed, but the focus on people never did.

What work environments have you found most effective throughout your career?

I tend to thrive in collaborative environments. That was one reason I loved Kellogg. People shared ideas openly and worked together to solve problems. I have found that the best outcomes usually happen when people listen carefully, respect different perspectives, and focus on solving real problems rather than protecting their own opinions.

What industries have you worked in, and how has your focus evolved over time?

I started in advertising, working on quick-service restaurant, hardware, and automotive accounts. I then moved into consumer packaged goods marketing at Kraft Foods. After that, I transitioned into executive recruiting focused on consumer marketing professionals. Over time, my work became increasingly centered on people rather than products. Today, my primary focus is community service, caregiving, and supporting individuals during major life transitions.

What projects or experiences stand out as especially meaningful?

One experience that stands out was conducting ethnographic research while at Kraft. We spent time observing families during their after-school and dinner routines. We were looking for unmet needs and opportunities for innovation. It reinforced the idea that some of the best insights come from observation rather than assumptions.

Another meaningful experience has been serving as a Stephen Minister. Some of those caring relationships have lasted for years. Walking alongside someone through illness, grief, divorce, or loss can be incredibly humbling.

How do you stay informed and continue learning?

I learn through conversations, reading, volunteer work, and staying connected with people from different backgrounds. I also believe travel has been an important teacher throughout my life. Whether it was studying abroad in London, visiting Japan through Kellogg, or traveling elsewhere, exposure to different perspectives helps you think differently.

How do you measure success in your work?

Success has changed throughout different stages of my life. Earlier in my career, success often involved business outcomes, product performance, or helping fill important roles. Today, success is more relationship-focused. If someone feels heard, supported, or better equipped to handle a challenge because of our interaction, I consider that meaningful success.

What role has relationship-building played in your career?

It has been central to everything I have done. Whether you are working with consumers, candidates, clients, colleagues, or care receivers, trust matters. People are more willing to share honestly when they feel respected and understood. Many opportunities throughout my career came from relationships rather than formal processes.

How do you approach helping people through challenges?

I focus on listening before offering opinions. Many people immediately jump into problem-solving mode. I have learned that people often need understanding before they need advice. My role as a Stephen Minister has reinforced that lesson repeatedly. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is simply be present and consistent.

Have you ever said no to opportunities that did not fit your priorities?

Yes. Different seasons of life require different decisions. When my children were young, flexibility became extremely important to me. That influenced my decision to move from Kraft Foods into recruiting. Later, I chose to step away from full-time corporate work so I could be more involved with my family and community. I have learned that saying no to one opportunity often creates space for another.

What challenges have shaped your personal and professional growth?

Experiencing multiple miscarriages and years of fertility treatments had a profound impact on me. Those experiences changed how I view resilience, empathy, and support. They also influenced my decision to become a Stephen Minister. Difficult experiences often deepen your understanding of what others may be carrying privately.

How do you adapt when circumstances change?

I try to stay flexible and focus on what I can control. Few careers follow a perfectly planned path. Mine certainly did not. Some of the most rewarding opportunities came from being open to change rather than resisting it.

What role has leadership played in your life?

Leadership has looked different at different stages. Sometimes it involved managing projects or guiding teams. Sometimes it meant mentoring others. Today, leadership often means listening, encouraging, and helping people navigate difficult situations. I have come to believe that leadership is less about authority and more about service.

How has your leadership style evolved over time?

Earlier in my career, I focused more on execution and results. Over time, I became increasingly focused on people. Experience taught me that sustainable results usually come from understanding the people involved. I ask more questions now than I did when I was younger.

What trends or changes are you most interested in today?

I am interested in the growing recognition of emotional well-being, mental health, and human connection. We live in a highly technologically connected world, but many people still feel isolated. I think there is growing awareness that relationships and community matter more than we sometimes realize.

What are your goals for the next several years?

My goals are centered on continuing to serve others, strengthening relationships, supporting my family, and growing through lifelong learning. I want to continue making a meaningful contribution in the lives of people around me, whether through Stephen Ministry, volunteer work, or personal relationships.

What advice would you give to professionals who are building their careers today?

Stay curious about people. Learn how to listen. Build relationships before you need them. Be willing to change direction when your priorities change. Most importantly, do not assume that success follows a single path. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my life came from decisions that did not fit a traditional career blueprint. Looking back, understanding people has been the most valuable skill I have ever developed.