Medina Jett is a real-estate developer, attorney, entrepreneur and motivational speaker who has faced many hardships throughout her life, yet had the determination to become one of the most successful black women during her career in legal, compliance, operations and strategic leadership. The founder and former CEO of ICSGroup – an award-winning compliance firm which provided legal and compliance services to Wall Street firms throughout the United States and Africa, Medina now pursues her dream of helping over one million minorities transform their lives using her signature systems for career development, entrepreneurship, and financial wellness during her keynote talks.
Having first pursued a career in law and politics, Medina completed her BA and graduated from Wesleyan University and then gained a JD from Georgetown Law School. Medina did not have a privileged start to life having experienced poverty and growing up in a single parent household. After much hard work, she was able to attend a prestigious school nearby where was taunted for being a black girl in an expensive school. Medina was determined not to let this hold her back and became more motivated than ever to make a name for herself. Having began her career as a trial attorney in a private practice, Medina then moved to the corporate side in 1997. She has been the Senior Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer at three major financial services: Cigna Retirement & Investment Services, Prudential Retirement and The Hartford Group Benefits Division. At all three of these firms, she was the only black executive on the senior management team.
In 2019 Medina went on to sell ICSGroup, making her one of a small group of black women to have owned their company from birth to acquisition. A feat made even more impressive by the fact that the asset management industry is heavily white male dominated. After selling her company, Medina decided she wanted to inspire other women and minority races to follow their dreams and she founded Jett Speaks. With so many defying business ventures to her name, it is no wonder that Medina has been awarded the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty, the Urban League of Southern Connecticut’s Diversity Award and the Tri-State Diversity Council’s Influential Women Award.
Medina is very outspoken about the gender and racial bias she encountered throughout her lucrative career. She uses these encounters in her talks, coaching sessions and signature courses to help empower minorities to follow their dreams and shares the skills, strategies and unwritten corporate rules they need to excel in their careers. As the only African American woman in the world to own an asset management and compliance firm, if you are in need of a truly inspirational speaker who has overcome many trials and tribulations throughout her career, look no further than Medina Jett to help you scale your business.
How to hire Medina Jett
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Medina Jett for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Medina Jett's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Driving Change Through Awareness: A Conversation on What Racial Equality Looks Like
"Medina is a leader of great personal integrity. She is exceptional at developing her staff, and has a charismatic, dynamic, and inspirational leadership style. She truly leads by example. Medina has incredible intellect, and quickly became expert in the group benefits business and the nuances of the organization. Medina challenged me and others to strive to achieve beyond what seemed possible - and I am the better for having had the privilege to work for and with her." - Helen, Vice President, Prudential Financial
“Your command of the stage at the conference in Cape Town made me proud to be a woman. The depth of your financial expertise and your passion made yours the best session by far.” - Maureen, Pretoria, South Africa
“I am so grateful to Medina for her help with jump starting my career, and for her continuous support with guiding me on my path in the financial services industry. Medina possesses a rare mixture of technical knowledge, charisma and inspiration that is infectious! With her coaching, I've grown so much over the past 6 years and have been exposed to a world I never knew existed for Black men in this society. Thanks Medina for your support and guidance!” - Jaylen, Goldman Sachs
Medina Jett is a prolific speaker. She engages her audience with her wit and knowledge. Her background of law and finances coupled with her beauty, charm and hard grit makes her a perfect fit to help women understand their ability to not only dream, but to fulfil a mandate while leaving a legacy for their families.” - Belinda, Yale University
- 2020 - Founder of Jett Speaks
- 2011 - General Counsel & Head of Government Affairs for American Medical & Life Insurance Co
- 2009 - Founder and Former CEO of ICSGroup
- 2008 - CEO of Integrated Compliance Solutions Group
- 2005 - VP & Chief Compliance Officer of The Hartford
- 2004 - VP & Chief Compliance Officer of Prudential Financial
- 2002 - VP, Deputy Chief Legal Officer & Chief Compliance Officer of CIGNA
- 1997 - Counsel & Head of Claim Operations for Aetna
- 1995 - Senior Staff Counsel for The Hartford
- 1992 - Associate for Updike Kelly & Spellacy
- 1990 - Associate for Murtha Cullina Richter & Pinney LLC
