Success isn’t something Kendra Stearns Drozd believes can be measured by a job title or a résumé. Over the years, she’s built a career in advertising, brand management, and executive recruiting, but she has also invested just as much energy into raising a family, serving her community, and helping people through difficult seasons of life. Each chapter has given her a different perspective on what it means to succeed.
Raised in Glencoe, Illinois, Kendra discovered a love of tennis at an early age. That dedication led her to become captain of her high school varsity tennis team before playing four years of varsity tennis at Williams College. While there, she also volunteered with local organizations and studied abroad in London, experiences that sparked a lifelong curiosity about people and different cultures.
After graduation, Kendra began her career in Chicago advertising before earning her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She later joined Kraft Foods as a Senior Associate Brand Manager, where one of her favorite experiences was conducting in-home consumer research to better understand how families actually lived. She eventually transitioned into executive recruiting, helping companies and professionals find the right fit.
Today, Kendra’s work extends well beyond the corporate world. As a commissioned Stephen Minister since 2012, she has spent years walking alongside people facing some of life’s greatest challenges. Looking back, she believes the most meaningful measure of success isn’t what you’ve accomplished, but how you’ve treated people along the way.
When did you first realize your definition of success had changed?
I don’t think it happened all at once. Looking back, it changed a little with every stage of my life. When I was younger, success meant doing well in school, earning a spot on the varsity tennis team, and eventually playing in college. Then it became building a career. Later, it became raising a family while staying involved in my community. Today, success is much quieter. It’s about knowing I spent my time on things that actually mattered.
What has tennis taught you that still influences the way you live today?
Tennis taught me that improvement usually happens long before anyone else notices it.
You spend hours practicing the same shots over and over before they finally become natural. Life works the same way. Whether it’s building a career, raising children, or helping someone through a difficult season, consistency matters more than quick results.
What did observing families in their homes while working at Kraft teach you that a boardroom never could?
It reminded me that people don’t live the way spreadsheets say they do.
Watching families go through their after-school and dinner routines taught me how busy and unpredictable everyday life really is. You notice little things that would never come up in a meeting. That experience made me ask better questions instead of assuming I already knew the answers.
You’ve worked in advertising, marketing, recruiting, and volunteer leadership. What skill connected all of those experiences?
Curiosity. Every one of those roles depended on understanding people. Whether I was helping launch a product, interviewing a candidate, or supporting someone through Stephen Ministry, I learned that you can’t help someone until you understand where they’re coming from.
Why do you think so many people chase the wrong version of success?
Because it’s easy to measure things like promotions, salaries, and titles. The harder things to measure are your relationships, your character, and whether people trust you. Those are the things people remember long after they forget your job title.
Has there ever been a moment when walking away was actually the successful decision?
Leaving my corporate career to focus on raising my daughters was one of those moments. Some people probably saw it as stepping away from success. I never did. I knew where I wanted to invest my time during that season of my life, and I’ve never regretted that decision.
Who had the greatest influence on your idea of success before you started your career?
Two people from my church, Mr. and Mrs. Javore. They were a huge part of my childhood and teenage years. They taught Sunday School, led our youth group, encouraged me to try new things, and always made me feel accepted. They had such a lasting impact on my life that years later, Mrs. Javore officiated my wedding. Their example shaped the kind of person, parent, and mentor I’ve tried to become.
What’s one lesson from recruiting that applies to almost every career?
Don’t spend all your energy trying to impress people.
The best interviews felt like conversations, not performances. The more authentic people were, the easier it was to see where they would thrive. I think that applies to almost every relationship in life.
What’s one accomplishment you’re proud of that would never appear on a résumé?
Being a Stephen Minister. Walking alongside someone through some of the hardest years of their life isn’t something you can measure with awards or promotions. It’s simply about showing up consistently and reminding someone they don’t have to face difficult seasons alone.
What do you hope people remember when they think about your success?
I hope they remember that I cared about people.
I’ve been fortunate to have different careers and different opportunities, but none of those things matter nearly as much as the relationships I’ve built. If someone remembers that I listened, encouraged them, or helped them through a difficult time, that’s more meaningful to me than any professional accomplishment.