Meet Jomaris DeJesus: 2025 Conference Keynote Speaker
- Circles USA
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
Each Circles USA National Leadership Conference is organized around the expertise and testimonial power of people ending poverty…one community at a time. Our 2023 keynote speakers set a stellar bar for thoughtful, dynamic leadership-in-action. They ignited attendees’ imaginations, redefined the value of social capital for Circles members, and sent us home brimming with fresh strategies and frameworks for advancing Big View initiatives where we live.
In anticipation of our 2025 Leadership Conference this October, we’re introducing the keynote speakers who will be joining us in Ogden, Utah. In this post, meet Jomaris DeJesus, Executive Director of The Prosperity Agenda (TPA), a Circles USA partner organization dedicated to equipping human services agencies with participant-centered practices.
Jomaris DeJesus is a Certified Life Coach featured in The Coaching Gurus Vol. II for her chapter A Strategic Plan for Your Life. For nearly two decades, she has guided individuals, nonprofits, and businesses toward success through strategic planning and DEI initiatives. Her expertise led her to serve a 4-year term as County Commissioner in Jefferson County, KY in 2020.
With a Communications degree from the University of the Sacred Heart, an MBA in Global Management from University of Phoenix, and an MA in Hispanic Culture from University of Louisville, Jomaris has trained numerous expats in cultural adaptation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Psychology at The Chicago School, researching cultural value differences and out-group attitudes. As a speaker and trainer, she has worked with Prosperity Now, Community Action Partners, Catholic Charities, and United Way. Now, she leads The Prosperity Agenda as Executive Director, combining her skills in coaching, strategy, and leadership to drive impactful change.
What is The Prosperity Agenda's mission? What do you offer and for whom?
As the national administrator of the Family-Centered Coaching framework, The Prosperity Agenda trains front-line staff—the people working directly with families and individuals experiencing poverty—to implement coaching skills that support families in reaching their full potential. We partner with community-based organizations to help them adopt participant-centered approaches that put families at the heart of decision-making. Through training, sharing resources, and collaboration, we work together to build stronger, more resilient communities.
How did you come to be with TPA?
I wholeheartedly believe I was born to empower people and organizations to solve social justice issues. That has been my personal mission statement for over 20 years. So, I was immediately drawn to the mission of The Prosperity Agenda. I am, above all else, a single mother who has lived and experienced the overwhelming challenges of poverty. I deeply understand the barriers to achieving financial resiliency and personal prosperity that impoverished families face daily. I realized that my years of coaching, both as a coach and a coachee, often dismissed and overlooked by professionals, can be the key element to creating systemic change and empowering people toward prosperity. That transformation requires more than subsidies and social programs. Our program participants learn that they have the power to battle decades of social injustices when armored with Family-Centered Coaching tools. And while my personal insight, professional education and expertise, and survivor’s perspective were born from hard years, they now drive my commitment to developing initiatives that empower individuals and families to live their best lives.
What's your message these days related to economic mobility?
My message these days centers on shifting the conversation about economic mobility from simply achieving self-sufficiency to achieving self-fulfillment. In my keynote, “Beyond Self-Sufficiency: Self-Fulfillment,” I highlight how two powerful tools, coaching and social capital, were crucial in my own journey toward prosperity. Coaching empowered me to recognize my potential, set meaningful goals, and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Social capital provided the network and community support that helped turn opportunities into tangible outcomes. Economic mobility isn’t just about financial stability; it’s about creating a foundation that allows individuals to thrive and fulfill their potential, both personally and professionally. My goal is to show that when we combine these elements, we enable lasting change that goes beyond the basics and toward a richer, more fulfilling life.
What excites you about the CUSA Leadership Conference?
I'm excited about the CUSA conference because it offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders who share a passion for driving meaningful change. I'm honored for the invitation to speak to all of these trail-blazers coming to the conference. I will discuss how coaching and social capital can drive economic mobility and prosperity, moving beyond the traditional focus on self-sufficiency. This conference is a platform to exchange ideas and insights with fellow professionals, learn from their experiences, and collaborate on innovative solutions. I’m eager to meet others who are equally committed to transforming communities and supporting individuals in their pursuit of not just financial stability but self-fulfillment. The chance to deepen these connections and share strategies for advancing social justice and equity is truly exciting.
Don't miss our 2025 Leadership Conference in Ogden, UT, October 20-23, 2025!
Comments