In July, longtime marketing instructor Jenny Redisi, ’91, was named the new director of our Professional Sale Center within the College of Business’ Department of Marketing. In this role, she will continue to work with faculty and staff to provide students with leading-edge sales instruction, as well as practical experience dedicated to preparing our graduates for success in entry-level sales positions and career advancement.
Jennifer Redisi
Redisi has one goal above all others — she wants to show the importance of sales training for all majors and career paths.
“Sales is for everyone and every major,” she said. “In every role, people need to influence others. Teachers need to influence students to complete their homework. Accountants and engineers need to convince their colleagues and clients to implement their carefully prepared recommendations. Nonprofit executive directors need to influence donors and volunteers to support their mission. All these roles will be more effective if they understand and leverage professional sales principles, and we can help them with that.” As stated in her syllabus, “Salespeople are some of the hardest working, most creative and compassionate people I know. Any role that you take on in either a professional or private setting can benefit from solid sales skills and an understanding of human behavior.”
Redisi is most excited about helping students tackle the changing dynamics of doing business with confidence in their own abilities.
“The challenges are significant when you consider the changing skills required in the job market, generative artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty caused by factors from across the world, and the health of the planet. Business models and best practices will evolve over time, and it is my goal to have NIU sales program students recognize what they are great at and appreciate what others contribute, so they can use their superpowers to make the world a better place.”
For those who know Redisi, her new responsibilities seem like a perfect fit for her skill set. Since 2016, she has primarily taught MKTG 350: Intro to Sales and MKTG 446: Sales Metrics and Leadership. She has also coached three ELC teams and taught Business in Action, Integrated Marketing Communications and Buyer Behavior.
Redisi’s sales career began with a career fair on campus while completing her marketing degree in 1991. She landed a role as a strategic accounts salesperson in the retail division of NCR Corporation, an IT services and IT consulting firm. Her accounts included huge retailers like Ulta, Crate & Barrel, Kohl’s and Target, among others.
“This was at the very beginning of the PC boom. In the first year of training, we spent as much time learning about technology as we did about selling,” she said. “After several years, I was promoted to district manager. It was a huge challenge to take on the responsibility because I was the youngest person on the team and now responsible for managing my peers and mentors.”
Redisi found that she loved leading during such a fascinating time in the IT sales landscape.
“There was an explosion of new technology. Self-checkouts, kiosks and electronic shelf tags were all invented and first sold to retailers during that time,” Redisi said.
After leaving NCR, Redisi went on to work for Microsoft as a relationship marketing manager and for Oracle Hospitality. In 2008, she took a few years off from corporate roles to start Café Roma. Fifteen years later, this restaurant continues to delight customers with hand-crafted and perfectly prepared Italian food in Elgin, Illinois.
For Redisi, her new role has been a culmination of a lifelong passion for business.
“From an early age, I was always ‘business-minded,’” she said with a laugh. “My mom used to call me Alex P. Keaton from ‘Family Ties.’”
It was not until Redisi was a student at NIU in Rick Ridnour’s MKTG 350: Introduction to Sales course in 1990 that she knew she wanted to major in marketing.
“My dad wanted me to major in accountancy, but I just was not inspired. I really liked the human aspects of marketing. I also craved to be where the action was. Marketing, and specifically sales, seemed like the best place for me,” she said.
As a marketing major, Redisi jumped at the chance to take on leadership opportunities on campus.
“I loved my four years (as a student) at NIU,” she said. “I was heavily involved on campus with the Delta Sigma Pi, Honors Program and the NIU Marching Band. Dean Brown also invited me to be the student voice on the planning committee for Barsema Hall.”
The biggest impact on Redisi’s career readiness, she said, were her opportunities to opt into leadership roles.
“(I jumped) on every chance to gain more perspective about industries and roles. My sales classes inspired me to see the value that great salespeople bring to their clients and organizations,” she said.
As a Huskie who began her sales and marketing journey on campus more than 30 years ago, Redisi’s professional sales leadership role seems like a perfect next step in her sales career. She is enthusiastic about teaching the next generations of students to tout their sales skills and build their careers.
“Grit, real-world experiences and compassion make Huskies the best in the pack. I have found that NIU students are committed to learning and [are] curious about new ideas. Some of our best class discussions are around challenging an idea or principle. Huskies also work hard outside of class in jobs, sports and student organizations. So many students are balancing multiple priorities,” she said. “I love it when they bring those experiences into the classroom. I also find my students to be committed to their communities while also open and welcoming to others.”
