About

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Odessa Jenkins overcame early challenges, including the tragic loss of her brother to gang violence, to become a top high school athlete, earning a Division 1 scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She began her career in sales before transitioning to a decade-long tenure in healthcare technology with Medco Health Solutions (Express Scripts). In 2008, Jenkins entered women’s football, where she quickly rose to prominence, being named the #1 running back in the world and leading Team USA to multiple world championships. She returned to coaching and team ownership in 2014, co-founding the Texas Elite Spartans and later the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), which broke barriers as the first women’s tackle football league sponsored by major global sports brands like Adidas and Riddell. Under her leadership, the WNFC rapidly grew, accelerating women’s tackle football toward professionalism. Today, Jenkins is a sought-after keynote speaker and coach, mentoring leaders in sports and corporate environments on building diverse and inclusive teams.

Odessa OJ Jenkins is driven by a mission to accelerate equity and empower women to achieve their fullest potential in all aspects of life. Through her leadership in sports, business, and community initiatives, she is committed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women, particularly in male-dominated fields like football and corporate leadership. Jenkins passionately advocates for diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of women, using her platforms to inspire change, champion underrepresented voices, and foster environments where women can thrive. Her mission is rooted in the belief that by empowering women, we can transform industries, communities, and society as a whole.

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Empowerment Through Self-Awareness

Equity Through Education and Action

Leadership Through Authentic Connection