Meet Jessica Salazar—a true generational change agent with an infectious spirit! Growing up in a family of 4th generation entrepreneurs, Jessica was destined for greatness, acquiring a passion for entrepreneurship early on. She broke family traditions as the first to graduate high school and college, earning her bachelor’s in finance and management (2004) and her MBA (2021) from Stetson University. Jessica's financial journey began at a hedge fund, but her true calling emerged in 2005 when she joined Northwestern Mutual in Virginia Beach as a Financial Representative. Since then, she has achieved numerous milestones, including being the first to hit several new and top advisor awards in her career with Northwestern Mutual, becoming a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table which includes only 1% of advisors in the world, and being recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 by Inside Business in 2011. She’s an extraordinary leader, having grown her office as a Managing Director and transferred to Austin, Texas, to achieve her dream of becoming a Managing Partner. In 2019, Jessica returned to her cherished Florida roots with her husband, Jeff, and their three kids—Austin (25), Jaxson (10), and Julianna (7). They share their lives with two beloved rescue dogs, a pit bull named Clyde, and a German shepherd/lab mix named Seis, along with a bearded dragon named Frost and a charming Devon Rex cat named Snow. On November 1, 2019, she became the Managing Partner in Jacksonville, Florida, proudly representing one of the only female Managing Partners out of 76 in Northwestern Mutual’s nationwide network, and the first female Managing Partner in her region. When she’s not busy building a successful career, Jessica believes in the important balance of work and play. She values quality time with family and friends, surfing with Tristan at Thompson Surf School, snowboarding, CrossFit, and running marathons. A community champion, she contributes to numerous nonprofit organizations alongside her firm and family, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Make-A-Wish. In a delightful twist, Jessica's childhood dream was to be one of the "Fly Girls" on the iconic show In Living Color. She often recorded herself belting out Whitney Houston's hits with dreams in her heart. However, due to a lack of confidence stemming from negative singing feedback, and not having lessons, she didn’t pursue that path. Today, she channels that spirit into supporting the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus through her participation in River City Dancing with the Stars determined to provide opportunities for children to shine and nurture their own talents and passions. Jessica’s story is one of confidence, perseverance, and the belief that anyone can achieve their dreams. She passionately empowers others and positively impacts her community. Jessica is ready to dance her way into your hearts—join her on this incredible journey filled with fun, family, and heartfelt service!