Grit Fueled Fire with Jennifer Black

 ABOUT OUR GUEST:  

Jennifer Black is a powerhouse of grit, strategy, and results. With decades of experience leading cross-functional teams for multi-billion-dollar companies, she’s known for driving innovation, building strong teams, and moving complex initiatives forward with clarity and confidence. 

 She currently serves as Mission Critical Senior Principal Program Manager at Trane Technologies, leading high-stakes projects in the Commercial HVAC business. From concept to execution, Jennifer brings teams together to deliver global, multimillion-dollar solutions that raise the bar. 

In previous roles, she led new product development for major HVAC platforms, unlocking $20M+ in investments and pushing for energy-efficient, sustainable innovations. She’s also tackled roles in equipment finance and pricing strategy, all while delivering measurable, mission-aligned value. 

 Jennifer holds a mechanical engineering degree from Gannon University and is a certified Project Management Professional. She’s passionate about developing the next generation of talent, serving on advisory boards for Women in STEM and Women in Science & Engineering. Her leadership has earned her multiple awards—including the 2024 Commercial HVAC President’s Award and the 2014 Latin America President’s Award for Operational Excellence. 

 

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER 

Social Media: LinkedIn  

 

EPISODE AND EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS 

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED 

GRIT by Angela Duckworth | Animated CORE Message 

The three secrets of resilient people | Lucy Hone | TEDxChristchurch 

Empowering Women in Industry Membership 

National Event - Registration Link!! 

Empowering Women in Industry Magazine 

Empowering Women in Industry Website 

Empowering Women in Industry Virtual Events 

 

QUOTES AND KEY TAKEAWAYS 

 “Grit isn’t a solo sport. It takes a team—your project team, your support system, your people.” 

 “Never give up.  There's always a different path. 

“Every time I get into a difficult place, I remember that conversation with my dad… because that was devastating to me. But it shaped how I handle things. I never give up—I just might have to find a different way to do it.” 

“If you come in saying, ‘Well, I don’t know how we’re going to get this done,’ everyone starts believing that it can’t be done. But when you’re positive, people start believing in themselves.” 

“I wasn’t going to give up. I was just going to redo it.” (—on disassembling and rebuilding a crib solo. Grit in action!) 

“You have to have passion in what you’re doing. If you don’t enjoy it, you might not be as positive—and you might not be as persistent—because you don’t like what you’re doing.” 

“I love going onto those campuses... I like seeing all this enthusiasm for what their next steps are. That, to me, is really exciting. It brings me back to being that student and thinking about all the things that I could accomplish.”