Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jana Haywood
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
At 12 years old, I discovered that I was a natural born athlete. I happened upon a pickup game of basketball in gym class. My friend invited me to go to practice with her and the rest is history. I fell in the love with the game spending most of my spare time in the gym training, practicing and competing. Once I entered high school at Lutheran North, I found out that I was also quite the runner. In preparation for the basketball season, I joined the cross-country team. What I thought would be strictly for conditioning brought out another level of mental toughness and talent. I made it to the state cross-country meet several times finishing high enough to medal. Needless to say, I decided to participate in track and field as well. Our team won three consecutive state titles from 1996-1998. One of my life’s greatest regrets is that despite being a junior track and field All-American, I did not participate on the track and field team my senior year of high school. It did teach me a valuable life lesson, when given the choice see things through to the end. Our basketball team had success over my four years at Lutheran North earning me a number of personal accolades. After graduating from high school, I accepted a women’s basketball scholarship to Saint Louis University (SLU). Oh, in between high school graduation and the first day of college, I married my high school sweetheart, Carl Haywood Jr. We thought we were the real, Love and Basketball story. SLU was full of ups and downs. At the beginning of my sophomore season I experienced what was at that time the biggest life adversity of my life. During an exhibition game, I tore my ACL. My dream of going pro was gone in a matter of seconds. I received great care and rehabbed to be able to return and have an outstanding career at SLU. Our 2002-2003 team went further than any other prior advancing to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Once the ball stopped bouncing for me I utilized my business degree working as an accountant before realizing that my passion was in helping coach others to maximize their potential. I became a teacher. Teaching allowed me to work with students in communities that I felt had been forgotten and share not only my math content knowledge but character traits I knew they would need to be successful. In order to broaden my reach I became a school principal and now central office administrator returning to my business roots. In the years since becoming a mother I have been laser focused on having greater impact and creating a legacy. I was honored to be inducted into the St. Louis Sports Foundation Hall of Fame and Lutheran High School North Hall of Honor. St. Louis Public Schools named me administrator of the year in 2020. I received a proclamation and resolution from the Mayor of the City of St. Louis in 2018. Now through the establishment of Illumine Solutions Group, I am deliberately looking for ways to help as many people as I can all while teaching my children and community the importance of financial independence. Having multiple streams of income and ownership are areas of emphasis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My life has not been exempt of twist and turns, delays and detours, setbacks or setups. However, I am grateful that each adverse experience has caused me to be a better person. No experience is wasted if you are determined to learn from it. One of my strengths is that I am highly introspective and regularly self-reflective. Having self-awareness has allowed me to position myself to consistently contribute to teams and organizations. I was raised by a single-mother, Juanita Tillman. From that fact alone most statistics would suggest there would be limitations placed on my life. My mother is a woman of great faith in God. She made it clear to us, her children that nothing is too difficult for our God! My early identity was heavily rooted in being an athlete so when I tore my ACL I struggled with so who am I now? Will I ever be the same? What next? Choosing to serve students, staff and community as a building leader during the pandemic involved daily, mental gymnastics. Now working as a human resource business partner in a climate plagued by human capital shortages, unprecedented mental health crisis and a political climate that is volatile requires that I exercise every ounce of resilience that I have gained over the years. Knowing that I was able to overcome past struggles gives me the confidence and mental fortitude to tackle problems head on. Part of my work with individuals and groups is mental performance coaching. Everything we are or are not starts in our minds. All things are possible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
In May of this year, my husband and I decided to start a coaching and consulting business, Illumine Solutions Group, LLC. Illumine Solutions Group ignites, inspires and empowers people, groups and organizations to bring the greatness that is within out. Leaning into our past and present successes we have launched what will be the actualization of an audacious belief that is deeply rooted in our faith: we are saved to serve. On August 4th in partnership with several sponsors we held our first annual STL Women in Leadership Summit: Love and Leadership at Saint Louis University. Over 350 women were in attendance to witness and experience the radical power of love as a foundational strategy for leadership. My mentor and best friend, Dr. Valerie Carter-Thomas is the co-creator of the summit. On that same day, I released my book, Move Without the Ball-A Playbook for Success in Sports and Life published by Jo Lena Johnson (Absolute Good and Mission Possible Press). Girls’ and women’s sports have garnered more attention this year than ever. Move Without the Ball is a short tool that was written specifically to support girls and women who are in the process of creating personal game plans for success on and off the court. It assist in goal attainment by providing the “plays” to get better faster with a section dedicatedto creatinga personal game plan. The book also offers insight for parents who are raising children who aspire to become collegiate and professional athletes. As someone who went through the recruitment process twenty years ago, has worked with students seeking sports scholarships and now living through the process with my daughter, Jordyn Haywood, who is currently a top recruit I felt compelled to share what I know to help as many families as possible. One thing is for certain, it takes more than talent. There is an advantage to having been an athlete when you enter the workforce. This chapter of my life feels like the perfect opportunity to merge my sports and professional experiences to expand my impact. I am often asked, “How have you been able to accomplish so much in your life?” My answer is ever evolving but at the core it remains the same. First, treat people with care, love and dignity. Second, be you. That is your gift to the world. Finally, find your place in life where you can combine your purpose and passion and perform to His glory!
Our goal is to turn the light that is within up so that not only the person who is being coached improves but the vision of everyone around them does as well. We offer executive coaching, mental performance coaching, career coaching, parent education around the recruitment process and human resource consultation. I believe that what sets Illumine Solutions Group apart from other businesses is our unique profile that includes a wide range of replicated success. We win! This is important because it speaks to having a blueprint that works in a variety of situations. As a teacher, I understand the science of learning and have taken time to develop products that can guide others towards reaching their goals. I am most proud of our intentional focus to spread love by illumining the greatness that exist in us all. I love the alignment between who we say we are and how we show up in our daily lives. To learn more about our services, visit www.illuminesolutionsgroupisg.com.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I want others to know that I love God and that I love them. I want to live a fulfilled life full of joy, peace and love. I want to make a difference helping others. I want to pass the baton to the next generation ahead in the race. I want illuminate as many paths as possible sharing the message that we all get to choose which road we will travel and to enjoy the journey as you clear your way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.illuminesolutionsgroupisg.com
- Instagram: Illuminesolutionsgroup
- Twitter: IlluminesgLLC
