jennifer sturner

With nearly 16 years of dedicated service at the University of Illinois, I bring a wealth of experience and passion to my role as a facilitator for the Manager Development Institute’s Team Development module. During my tenure of 12 years at Technology Services, I've had the privilege of serving as the manager of the campus Help Desk for the past 6 years, while also overseeing our internal Staff Support team.

My journey into management began a decade ago when I assumed the role of student manager, leading and mentoring teams ranging from 40 to 70 student employees. It was during this time that I discovered my love for management, finding fulfillment in leveraging my strengths in organization, planning, coaching, and interpersonal skills to support the growth and development of those around me.

Leading a team of 13 direct reports and 50 student employees across the Help Desk and Staff Support team, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of effective team development. Recognizing its pivotal role in managerial success, I've recently expanded my involvement by taking on a facilitator role with MGRdev, where I'm eager to contribute my insights and experiences to enhance the professional development of fellow managers.

For me, team development isn't just a task—it's the cornerstone of effective leadership. I am deeply passionate about nurturing talent, fostering growth, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Through MGRdev, I aim to inspire and equip managers with the tools and strategies needed to cultivate high-performing teams and drive organizational success.