From Advertising Executive to Trusted Recruiter and Mentor

Some careers follow a straight line. Kendra Stearns Drozd’s career followed a more human path.

It moved through advertising, brand management, recruiting, motherhood, and community service. Along the way, she built a reputation for understanding people, building trust, and staying grounded in what matters most.

Today, Kendra’s story stands out because it reflects a kind of leadership that often gets overlooked. It is not loud or self-promotional. It is steady, relationship-driven, and deeply personal.

“I’ve always been most interested in people,” Kendra says. “Whether it was marketing, recruiting, or volunteer work, I loved understanding what motivates people and how to help them feel seen.”

Early Life in Glencoe and a Competitive Tennis Career

Kendra grew up in Glencoe, Illinois, where sports and academics were both taken seriously. At age nine, her parents asked her to choose between tennis and swimming because New Trier High School athletics were so competitive.

She chose tennis.

That decision shaped much of her early life. She trained year-round, attended the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy during the summers, and competed in tournaments across the country. By senior year, she became captain of the varsity girls’ tennis team and played number two singles.

Her talent eventually earned her a spot at Williams College, where she played varsity tennis for four years.

But athletics were only one part of her college experience.

At Williams, Kendra also volunteered with student organizations and studied abroad in London. She traveled throughout Europe and developed a broader understanding of culture and communication.

“Travel changes your perspective,” she says. “It pushes you outside your comfort zone and teaches you how differently people live and think.”