Dr. Nsombi Jaja

Owner, President Quality Management Consultancy Inc. USA

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I stumbled on the field of quality and recognized that I was made for this field. I found my purpose when I got the job as a quality assurance officer at the Bureau of Standards in Jamaica. I pursued further studies in the field of quality management and then established my consulting firm after studying quality management in Japan, Malaysia, Sweden, and the U.S. This evolved over the years to include strategic management, change management, leadership development, and customer experience management.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

When I began in the early 80’s, the concept of quality management was foreign to my environment. Many people were familiar with quality control and saw it as a laboratory function. I am often described as a pioneer for QM in Jamaica and the Caribbean. As a young female entrepreneur at the time, I had to prove the value I brought to organizations before I was accepted.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

By and large, women all over are recognizing their value and their power and are being more assertive in their personal and professional lives. However, many of these women face backlash from being in a male dominated space. It is important that we mentor the younger generations of women to find their voice and make their contributions to building harmonious communities where we can co-exist to deliver value. We must believe that we are people of value, valuing others and adding value to their lives.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is a strong belief that the power within is more powerful than anything outside of us. It means a belief that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us if we have a clear vision, know our purpose, and have strong, sound values. www.qmcincusa.com