
Interview: Dayna Jesus
Posted by KinderCare Jobs
Dayna Jesus – Champions Recruiter II
I started my journey with Champions 8 years ago. I was freshly graduated with a BA in ECE and just knew that I was going to continue that path. Being a Director of an Afterschool program never crossed my mind, but the opportunity presented itself and it became the start of my career with Champions.
I remember showing up for my interview and being met by this spunky ball of energy who asked me to have seat on the grass in front of a multipurpose room, I was taken aback but I joined. I knew after a few minutes that I wanted to work for her and that I wanted to work for a company like KinderCare. The Service Values, The Mission Statement, it all couldn’t have aligned more with the impact I wanted to make on children.
My site was a brand-new site and the first of many that I would help open. We built a wonderful program and each year I watched it gradually grow from our day to day after school program right down to our Summer Camps. Soon after I started, I was asked to assist with hiring teachers for my site and that eventually turned into hiring teachers for my whole area. This was the start of another path that I had no idea I would end up on.
I continued as a Site Director and later became a field coach and each year discussed growth and where I wanted to go with my career. Champions always made me feel like I had a path, and my managers always supported my drive for professional growth and allowed me to take on roles and responsibilities outside of my job.
After the onset of Covid I was presented with another growth opportunity. Champions was beginning to rebuild, and they needed help finding amazing teachers to run our programs! This was the beginning of Champions Recruitment and the next unexpected path in my career. I have been on the recruitment team for 2 years now and the conversations of professional growth have continued.
I have worked myself into a Lead Recruiter role and am always thinking of what’s next. With the guidance from not only my managers but the business partners around me I have always felt set up for success and truly feel that KinderCare is a company that values their staff and promotes growth from within.
What is your best piece(s) of advice for other women who are thinking about making a career pivot?
"Be brave and take the leap! It could end up being the best decision you ever made for yourself, or it could be a learning experience. You will never know where your passion truly lies until you let go of your uncertainties and try. I would also encourage them to embrace their confidence and speak openly about their ideas, share feedback often, and never stop seeking growth whether it’s in their career or personally!"
