Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jennoa Graham.
Hi Dr. Jennoa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Utilitarian Financial Consulting to help individuals and small business owners with their tax filing needs to supplement my income after relocating to Georgia from Illinois. As a Hoosier born in Indianapolis, Indiana I spent my college years and early stages of my career helping friends and family file their taxes in my spare time. After establishing my business formally in Atlanta, my business expanded to delivering on-demand CFO leadership, complex financial transformation, tax strategy, and enterprise project execution for 30+ individual, nonprofit, and corporate clients ranging from $50K to $50B in revenue, embedding directly with executive teams to drive internal operating outcomes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth. As a “transplant” resident, not born and raised in Georgia, there were challenges in establishing trust and confidence with business owners. Building relationships is extremely important and I learned that transparency and direct communication worked well for me. As a business owner my strength was problem solving and not sales persuasion. I relied heavily on referrals from previous clients to get new business. To help with the referral process, I joined a local consulting firm Resources Global Professional to assist in non-compete large scale projects.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professor & Board Leader: As an educator and executive trainer, I have developed LMS-certified curricula and leadership programs that reduced training time by 25% while improving matriculation outcomes for over 500 leaders. My work extends to board leadership, guiding sustainable fundraising strategies, real estate investments, and nationalization efforts of legacy programs with 100% success rates.
Global Advisor & International Speaker: My influence extends beyond corporate frameworks into global advisory and speaking roles. I have authored publications distributed in 23 countries and delivered expert insights on corporate leadership, operational transformation, and work-life balance in international conferences and podcasts. I continue to mentor emerging leaders, champion operational excellence, and execute transformational strategies that leave a lasting impact on organizations and communities alike.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I do consider myself a risk-taker. Over thirty years ago, I chose to enter a relationship out of survival that resulted in a child out of wedlock during my junior year of high school. Keeping that child opened scholarship and educational options that were not previously known to me. I was able to attend an undergraduate college with daycare and housing on campus. The completion of my first degree broke the cycle of poverty in my immediate family.
Years later, I took a risk and left my hometown in Indiana and moved to Illinois with my high school aged son for a new career and then again four years later to Georgia. Here in Georgia, I found a church home (Heavens Harvest Ministries) that has grown my faith and confidence to pursue even greater things to build a family legacy. I can’t speak for everyone, but my faith in God allows me to take risks that challenge and grow me spiritually and financially.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drgnp.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.GrahaminPurpose
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennoagrahamphd/
