Kendra Stearns Drozd has always believed that the strongest relationships are built through listening, trust, and showing up for others. Those values have guided every chapter of her life, from her career in marketing and recruiting to her years of community service and motherhood.
Raised in Glencoe, Illinois, Kendra developed a love for tennis at a young age and eventually became captain of her high school varsity team before playing four years of varsity tennis at Williams College. While earning her degree, she volunteered with local organizations and studied abroad in London, where she discovered a lifelong love of travel and experiencing different cultures.
After graduation, Kendra began her career in Chicago advertising, helping lead promotions for major brands, including a memorable KFC product launch that involved coordinating a team of costumed Colonel Sanders characters throughout the city. She later earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management before joining Kraft Foods as an Assistant Brand Manager. There, she worked on brands including Kraft Singles and learned the value of understanding customers by observing families in their everyday lives.
Kendra eventually transitioned into executive recruiting before stepping away from full-time work to raise her four daughters. Since 2012, she has served as a commissioned Stephen Minister, providing confidential emotional and spiritual support to people facing life’s most difficult challenges. Her own experiences with fertility issues, pregnancy loss, and motherhood have strengthened her compassion and reinforced her belief that simply being present for someone can change a life.
Today, she continues to invest her time in family, faith, volunteer work, pickleball, and the cocker spaniels she has loved since childhood.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
No two days look the same anymore, and I actually like it that way. Most mornings start with coffee and a little quiet time before the day gets busy. From there, I might be meeting with a Stephen Ministry care receiver, playing pickleball, running errands, or spending time with family.
I’ve learned that being productive isn’t about packing as much as possible into a day. It’s about giving my full attention to whatever I’m doing. When I’m with someone, I want them to feel heard.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I usually start by paying attention. One of my favorite memories from working at Kraft Foods was visiting families in their homes to watch their after-school and dinner routines. We weren’t there to sell anything. We were there to understand how people actually lived. That experience taught me that the best ideas usually come from observing first and talking second.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m encouraged that people are becoming more open about mental health and emotional well-being. I’ve spent many years in Stephen Ministry, and I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone feels safe enough to share what they’re going through. I think we’re getting better at recognizing that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I try to leave a little margin in my schedule instead of filling every hour. Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had happened because I wasn’t rushing to the next thing. Having that extra time makes me less stressed and much more present, especially when someone unexpectedly needs me.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to stop worrying so much about having everything figured out. When I was younger, I felt like every decision had to be the right one. Looking back, some of the best opportunities in my life came from being open to change. I never expected to move from advertising into marketing, then into recruiting, and eventually devote so much of my time to volunteering and serving others. Every chapter taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think we’re too quick to give advice. When someone is struggling, most people feel like they need to solve the problem right away. I’ve found that simply listening without trying to fix everything can be much more meaningful. Sometimes people don’t need answers. They just need to know someone is willing to sit with them through whatever they’re facing.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Ask one more question. Whether I was interviewing candidates, observing families at Kraft, or talking with someone through Stephen Ministry, I’ve found that the most meaningful part of a conversation usually comes after the first answer. People often have another layer to their story if you simply give them the space to share it.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I usually go outside. Sometimes that’s taking a walk, and sometimes it’s playing pickleball. Prayer also helps me slow down and regain perspective. Once I stop trying to solve everything at once, things usually become much clearer.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Relationships have always mattered more than networking.
When I worked in executive recruiting, I wasn’t interested in making the quickest placement. I wanted to understand what both the company and the candidate really wanted. That approach built trust, and trust led to long-term relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I thought I needed to have all the answers. Eventually, I realized asking thoughtful questions made me much better at my job. That lesson carried into recruiting, volunteer work, and parenting. Curiosity has served me far better than pretending to know everything.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d love to see more companies create mentorship programs that focus on life as much as work. Employees don’t stop being people when they walk into the office. Supporting someone through difficult seasons often creates stronger teams than any other leadership seminar ever could.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar keeps everything organized. Between family schedules, volunteer work, appointments, and Stephen Ministry meetings, it’s the easiest way for me to keep track of everything without feeling overwhelmed.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that’s stayed with me is The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It reminds me that growth usually comes through facing difficult things instead of avoiding them. That’s a lesson I’ve seen play out in my own life many times.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed All Creatures Great and Small. It’s such a kind and thoughtful series. I love stories that remind us ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference simply by caring for others.
Key learnings
- Listen before offering advice. Understanding someone is often more valuable than trying to solve their problems.
- Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Some of the most rewarding chapters in life aren’t the ones you planned.
- Strong relationships are built through trust, curiosity, and being fully present.
- The best ideas often come from observing how people really live instead of making assumptions.
- Small acts of kindness and encouragement can have a lasting impact.