Name: Jenna Ghisolfo
X, formerly Twitter: NA
Facebook: Jenna Ghisolfo
Instagram: @mrsghisolfo and @usoamrsarizona
Website: www.HousingConsultantsofAmerica.com and www.StillStandingInHeels.com
Age: 40
Title: Founder and CEO
Married/Single: Married
Kids: Blended family of 4 kids
City you live in: Anthem, AZ
A typical day in my life includes… coffee that gets reheated three times, running two companies, and switching from CEO mode to mom mode—sometimes in the same phone call. Somewhere between helping families access affordable housing, coaching leaders, and representing my state as USOA Mrs. Arizona, I’m texting my husband, “What’s for dinner?” as though either of us has a plan. It’s a full life, and some days it’s messy. But there are moments when I pause and think about the 18-year-old mom I once was, leaving an abusive relationship and wondering how she would ever make it on her own. I wish I could tell her about the businesses she would build, the man who would love her so well, and the life waiting for her. My days are filled with responsibilities, laughter, and a few misplaced items—but getting to live this life will never feel ordinary to me.
I was born… into an Italian family right here in Arizona, and I’ve proudly called this state home my entire life. Growing up, I learned that love is expressed through food, family comes first, and a “quick goodbye” is rarely quick. My Italian roots gave me a big heart and a strong voice, while Arizona gave me the place to grow, build my dreams, and raise my own family.
My favorite thing about Arizona… is that it holds every version of me. It’s where I grew up, where I found the courage to start over, where I built two companies, and where I built a life with the man of my dreams. Now, I get to represent the state that has been home through it all as USOA Mrs. Arizona. Of course, the sunsets help—and so does calling 75 degrees “sweater weather.” But what I love most is that Arizona is where my roots and my dreams share the same address.
I’m listening to… the people whose stories rarely make the headlines—the mother starting over, the leader quietly overwhelmed, and the woman wondering if she’s missed her chance. I’ve been each of them. Their stories remind me to ask better questions, lead with compassion, and turn “someone should do something” into “what can I do?”
My family… is my biggest support system and the unofficial committee behind all my crazy ideas. They’ve mastered the art of saying, “You want to do WHAT?” before showing up to cheer me on anyway. Whether we’re off on an adventure or laughing around the dinner table, making memories with them is my favorite part of life. They get my biggest dreams, my busiest days, and the version of me who has absolutely no idea where she left her phone.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… Princess Diana. Known as the “People’s Princess,” she made people feel seen, valued, and worthy of love. I would ask her how she kept her heart soft while living under such intense scrutiny, and how she found the courage to reach toward people the world too often overlooked. That is how I hope to be remembered: as someone with a soft heart, the courage to make a difference, and a willingness to stand beside others in their hardest moments. To me, the most meaningful legacy is knowing someone’s life felt a little less lonely because you were in it.
One thing I cannot live without… is laughter. I’ve had chapters in my life that required more courage than I thought I had, and being able to find joy—even in the middle of the mess—has helped me keep going. Whether I’m laughing with my husband, being ridiculous with my kids, or finding my phone in my hand after searching the entire house, laughter brings me back to myself. It reminds me that a full life needs room for a little silliness.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a Disney on Ice skater—Pocahontas, specifically! As a young athlete training here in the Valley, I loved combining the strength of sport with the emotion of storytelling. My dream was to bring a little magic to life and see a child’s face light up because of something I helped create. My stage looks different today, but that desire is still at the heart of everything I do: help someone believe in possibilities they couldn’t see before.
I’m inspired by… the quiet courage it takes to begin again. The mother rebuilding a life while making sure her children feel safe. The woman walking into a room she once believed she didn’t belong in. The person who has every reason to give up but takes one more step. I recognize that courage because I’ve needed it myself. It’s why I work to create opportunities for others—because sometimes, before someone can believe in their own future, they need someone willing to believe alongside them.
The person/people who motivate(s) me is/are… my family. They’re my biggest cheerleaders, my soft place to land, and the people who hear “I have an idea” and immediately wonder what they’ve just volunteered for. Their love gives me the courage to chase big dreams and make an impact here in Arizona and across the country. They see the work, the doubt, and the occasional tears behind the accomplishments—and keep cheering anyway. I hope every time they watch me pursue a dream, they remember that theirs are worth chasing, too.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… to ensure that no one has to choose between a dangerous home and no home at all. At 18, I left an abusive relationship with my infant son and an uncertain future. A Section 8 voucher gave us more than a roof—it gave me the chance to make decisions based on our dreams instead of our survival. Today, as a CEO and advocate, I work to help open that same door for others. I want a world where asking for help preserves your dignity, where safety is within everyone’s reach, and where a child’s future isn’t limited by a parent’s hardest chapter. Leaving abuse takes extraordinary courage. Having somewhere safe to go should never require extraordinary luck.
The perfect day would be… a fall day trip to Sedona with my husband, when the leaves are changing and the air is just crisp enough to justify the boots I’ve been waiting six months to wear. We’d have coffee, wander without a schedule, and stop for “one quick photo”—which he knows means we’ll be there a while. Then we’d find a cozy spot for dinner, talk about the life we’ve built, and dream about what’s next. After spending part of my life simply trying to feel safe, there’s something beautiful about a day when my biggest concern is choosing dessert. Especially when I’m sitting across from the man who makes me feel so loved—and understands that we’re ordering two.
My first job was… a figure skating coach! After 13 years as a competitive skater, I loved helping new skaters find their confidence and fall in love with the ice—even if falling was initially their strongest skill. Watching a nervous beginner let go of the wall and glide on their own was its own kind of magic. And before you ask: at 40, my heart still remembers every jump and spin I could do at 15. My knees, however, have requested that we cherish those memories.
My favorite escape… is Lake Tahoe, California. I’ve been going almost every year since I was 12, and somehow, that first glimpse of crystal-blue water still makes my shoulders drop and my breathing slow. Between the pine-scented air, the mountains, and the quiet along the shore, it’s the place where my ever-growing to-do list finally loses its authority. Tahoe has known me as a young girl with big dreams and as a woman who occasionally needs a vacation from pursuing them. Going back feels like visiting an old friend—one with spectacular views who never asks me to check my email.
My life… is a blend of family, service, entrepreneurship, a little pasta, and a whole lot of hairspray. My Italian roots keep me well fed, my family keeps me grounded, and my dreams keep my calendar slightly unreasonable. Somewhere between running two companies and straightening my crown, I get to help others find their footing. It’s a full, occasionally chaotic life—and one the younger version of me once prayed she’d get to live.
I’m currently working on… growing Still Standing in Heels Consulting, where we train and mentor people to take the next step in their careers—with clear goals, practical skills, and the confidence to put themselves forward. I’m also taking my own advice as I prepare for the United States of America’s Pageant nationals in Las Vegas this March. That means strengthening my voice, refining my presence, and occasionally reminding my feet that we signed up for this together. Both pursuits ask me to keep growing, even when it’s uncomfortable. I want the people I mentor to know that I’m doing that work right alongside them—just sometimes in taller shoes.
Always… leave people with more hope than you found them. I know what it feels like to need someone to see your potential when all you can see is your circumstances. At 18, I needed a safe place to begin again. Today, I lead two companies and wear Arizona across my sash—but I’ve never forgotten the woman who needed an open door. Whatever room I’m invited into, I want to help make space for someone still waiting for her chance.
Never… become so impressed by a title that you forget to be touched by a person. Whether I’m wearing a crown, leading a company, or standing in line for coffee, I want to be someone people feel comfortable approaching. Learn names. Ask the second question. Stay long enough to hear the answer. I hope people remember what I accomplished, but even more, I hope they remember that I made time for them.
Favorite Quote… “Your past does not define your future.”
Biggest Dream… is to travel to every continent, earn the title of United States of America’s Mrs. 2027, and grow my companies to reach more people across the nation. I want to experience the world with a grateful heart and use everything I’ve built—including a national platform—to help others see what is possible for their own lives. At 18, my dream was to find safety for my son and me. Today, I get to dream about how far I can go and how many people I can help along the way. That still moves me. I want my children to see that our hardest chapter never had the final word—and I want another woman, somewhere in the middle of hers, to read my story and think, “Maybe there is more ahead for me, too.”
My Pet Peeve(s)… are meetings that could have been emails, running late, and hearing my kids ask, “What’s for dinner?” while standing in front of an open refrigerator in an Italian household with enough food to prepare ten meals. Apparently, unless the lasagna introduces itself and offers to plate their dinner, there’s “nothing to eat.”
Bio:
An Arizona native, entrepreneur, domestic violence survivor, wife, and United States of America’s (USOA) Mrs. Arizona. Jenna Ghisolfo is living proof that where your story begins does not determine where it can go.
At 18, Jenna left an abusive relationship with her infant son. With the support of Section 8 housing, she found the stability to rebuild her life—a chapter that would inspire her career helping others find a place to call home.
Her journey “from Section 8 to CEO” led her to establish Housing Consultants of America, supporting affordable housing communities and the families they serve. She later founded Still Standing in Heels Consulting, helping people build confidence, become stronger leaders, and turn their goals into meaningful progress.
Along the way, Jenna married the man of her dreams, Bobby, and built a life rooted in love, family, and purpose. Today, as USOA Mrs. Arizona, she uses her voice to advocate for domestic violence survivors, champion housing stability, and remind others that rebuilding is possible.
Whether leading her companies or wearing her crown, Jenna brings the same conviction: your past is part of your story, but you still get to write what happens next.
