Johann DeJesus is the founder of JDC Consulting, Coaching, and Training Services, LLC, and a seasoned nonprofit executive and consultant with over two decades of experience leading program turnarounds and driving organizational success. She specializes in strategic planning, executive coaching, and capacity building—helping mission-driven teams strengthen HR infrastructure, improve operations, design impactful programs, and enhance fundraising efforts. Known as a “program fixer,” she helps nonprofits align their vision and values with effective systems and staffing. Her coaching style is practical, personalized, and grounded in real-world experience.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
JDC Consulting, Coaching, and Training Services, LLC is a capacity-building firm that supports nonprofit organizations and their leaders in becoming stronger, more effective, and sustainable. The business was created to meet the real-world needs of mission-driven organizations that are often stretched thin but committed to transformative work.
Through personalized coaching, HR and operational support, and customized training, Johann helps organizations:
- Strengthen leadership and management skills
- Improve onboarding and retention
- Design impactful, fundable programs
- Build internal systems aligned with their mission
- Address gaps in infrastructure, operations, and strategy
Whether working with a new program manager, a nonprofit founder, or an executive team, Johann’s goal is to build long-term capacity—not dependency—so that organizations can deliver on their mission with clarity, confidence, and a strong internal foundation.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
What inspired me to start my journey as a coach and entrepreneur was a combination of lived experience, personal challenges, and a deep commitment to service. I spent over two decades in nonprofit leadership roles—often being the person called in to “fix” underperforming programs, stabilize teams, or rebuild systems. While I was proud of the impact, I often saw brilliant, passionate managers burning out due to lack of support or training.
A few pivotal life events—becoming a teen mom, being a first-generation college graduate, and navigating personal crises like my child’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and my husband’s accident—taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of strong leadership. These experiences fueled my desire to create a business that supports nonprofit leaders not just professionally, but as whole people.
I wanted to offer what I wish I had: real-time coaching, strategic support, and someone in your corner who understands the complexity of mission-driven work. That’s what drives me every day.
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
In the beginning of my career, one of the biggest challenges I faced was being underestimated—both because I was young and because I didn’t fit the traditional mold of leadership. As a teen mom from the South Bronx and a first-generation college graduate, I had to work twice as hard to prove my expertise and earn trust in spaces where I was often the only woman of color in leadership.
Another major challenge was navigating leadership without a mentor. I was often promoted into roles where I had to lead large teams and fix broken systems, with little guidance. That forced me to learn quickly—how to build trust, manage conflict, design effective programs, and lead under pressure.
I overcame those obstacles by leaning into what I did know—my lived experience, my values, and my ability to build relationships. I sought out training, read everything I could, and created peer networks for support. Over time, my results spoke for themselves: stronger teams, improved outcomes, and more stable organizations. That credibility eventually opened doors, and now I use what I learned to coach others through similar challenges.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievement?
One of my most remarkable achievements was leading a full program turnaround for a YouthBuild site that served disconnected and justice-involved young adults. When I took over, the program was underperforming and at risk of losing funding. Within 18 months, I stabilized operations, built a strong team, redesigned the intake and case management systems, and exceeded all performance benchmarks. Not only did we retain our funding—we became a model site and I was asked to chair the NYC YouthBuild Collaborative, supporting other leaders across the city.
That experience affirmed my ability to lead under pressure, fix broken systems, and empower staff—and it continues to shape how I support other nonprofit leaders today.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women in leadership today are not only transforming workplaces—they’re redefining what leadership looks and feels like. We bring emotional intelligence, resilience, collaboration, and an ability to lead with both heart and strategy. Despite persistent systemic barriers, women continue to rise, often building organizations and cultures that are more inclusive, mission-driven, and sustainable.
Still, the journey isn’t without its challenges. Many women, especially women of color, face bias, underrepresentation, and burnout from having to do more with less. That’s why I’m passionate about coaching and supporting women leaders—not just to survive, but to thrive with confidence, clarity, and community.
What message / advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
To future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs: Trust your instincts, own your voice, and never wait for permission to lead. The path may not always be easy—but it’s yours to shape. Build your skills, ask for help when needed, and surround yourself with people who believe in your potential even when you’re still figuring things out.
And remember: progress over perfection. You don’t need to have it all figured out to take the first step. Your courage will inspire others, and your impact will multiply when you lead with authenticity and purpose.
Get in touch:
www.nonprofitleadershipcoach.org
