Nesa Grider shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Nesa, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that brings me the greatest joy is my grandson. People always say there’s nothing quite like the love you feel for a grandbaby, but I don’t think I truly understood that until the day he was born. The feeling is beyond words—it’s overwhelming, beautiful, and stirs up emotions I didn’t even realize were still tucked away.
Every time I hold him, feed him, bathe him, or take him for a walk, it’s like being transported back in time to when my own daughters were little. All those sweet memories come rushing back, but this time I get to experience it with the wisdom and perspective I’ve gained over the years. It’s almost like getting a second chance to relive the best parts of motherhood, only now with the added joy of watching my daughter step into the role of mother.
There’s just something magical about the way he makes me smile, the way his tiny hand wraps around my finger, that toothless grin, and the way his presence fills my heart. He is pure joy, and through him, I feel the circle of life in the most tender and beautiful way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nesa Grider, and I have the privilege of serving as the CEO of Journey to Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering at-risk, homeless, and hurting youth. At our heart, we believe every young person deserves safety, belonging, and the opportunity to dream of a brighter future.
One of the things that makes Journey to Dream so special is our holistic approach. We don’t just provide shelter or short-term solutions; we walk alongside teens through our programs, Kyle’s Place, our transitional living program, and our school-based prevention and intervention initiatives. Our goal is not only to meet immediate needs but to help youth heal from trauma, build resilience, and develop the tools to thrive as adults.
What makes this work unique for me is that it’s deeply personal. I’ve spent much of my career supporting and interacting with youth in some capacity, but leading Journey to Dream gives me the opportunity to combine my professional experience with my passion for empowering youth to have a voice and a future. Currently, we’re working to expand our reach, enabling us to serve more youth in crisis, strengthen our community partnerships, and raise awareness about the realities of youth homelessness.
At the end of the day, what inspires me most is witnessing transformation, seeing a teen who came to us broken and scared step into confidence, independence, and hope. That’s what makes Journey to Dream so special, and why I am so honored to do this work every day.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped my self-perception was with my maternal grandmother. She was an incredible woman, my biggest cheerleader, who lived every day with a “ say you can attitude. She didn’t just tell me I could do anything I set my mind to; she showed me by how she lived her own life. No matter what challenges came her way, she faced them with strength, grace, and determination.
I can still hear her voice in my head, reminding me that setbacks weren’t the end of the story, just part of the journey. She believed in me even at times when I doubted myself, and that unwavering encouragement built a confidence in me that has carried into every season of my life.
My grandmother taught me that resilience and positivity are powerful tools; more importantly, she modeled what it looks like to pour into others with love and support. Because of her influence, I strive to show up for people in the same way she always showed up for me, with kindness, strength, and a belief in their potential.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and began using it as power when I realized that silence was keeping me trapped. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, pain was never something you acknowledged or talked about you just accepted it and dealt with it quietly. But the truth is, when trauma goes unspoken, its repercussions can be heavy and long-lasting. For years, I carried anger, hurt, and resentment that weighed me down and colored how I saw myself and the world around me.
There came a turning point where I had to make a choice: continue to live as a victim of my circumstances or rise above and let my experiences empower me. Choosing the latter wasn’t easy it meant facing the pain, naming it, and deciding to transform it into something that could fuel growth instead of destruction. That choice became a defining moment in my life.
My pain no longer had to be a burden; it became a source of empathy, strength, and resilience. It gave me the perspective to connect with others who are struggling and to remind them that brokenness doesn’t have to be the end of the story it can be the beginning of a powerful new chapter. Today, I see my past not as a chain that holds me back, but as a platform that lifts me higher. My story is no longer about what broke me it’s about what built me. And that’s the message I want others to hold onto: you are not defined by what happened to you. You are defined by what you choose to do with it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friend what matters most to me, without a doubt, hands down, they would say my family. My family has always been the heartbeat of my life. They are my anchor, my safe place, and my greatest source of joy.
No title, no role, no accomplishment comes close to the love and pride I have for them
Raising my daughters was the most important role I’ve ever had, and now watching them grow into incredible women has been a gift beyond measure. And becoming a NeNe has taken that love to a whole new level. Every time I hold my grandson, I feel waves of gratitude not only for him, but for the full circle of life and love I get to experience.
My family is the “why” behind so much of what I do. They’ve taught me patience, resilience, unconditional love, and the importance of showing up for the people who matter most. At the end of the day, no achievement or title could ever compare to the pride and joy I feel when I look at my family. That’s what truly matters to me, and what always will.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Yes without a doubt, I am doing what I was born to do. Serving youth who are underserved and changing lives is not just what I do for a living; it’s who I am at my core. This work is a calling that has been written into my story from the very beginning.
Growing up, I understood what it felt like to face challenges without the right support. Those experiences left a mark on me, but they also planted a seed a deep desire to make sure that young people who feel unseen or unheard know that someone cares and that their lives have value. That seed has shaped every step of my journey and continues to drive me today.
When I walk into a school or sit down with a young person at Kyle’s Place, I don’t just see a case. I see a possibility. I see resilience. And I see the power of what can happen when someone chooses to believe in them. Watching a young person shift from hopelessness to hope, from fear to confidence, is one of the most incredible transformations to witness. It is in those moments that I know, without question, I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
To me, this work is more than providing shelter, resources, or programs it’s about changing the trajectory of lives. It’s about helping to break cycles of trauma and poverty, and showing youth that their past doesn’t define their future. That’s the heartbeat of Journey to Dream, and it’s the heartbeat of my purpose.
So yes, I am doing what I was born to do. And every time I see a young person take a step toward healing and independence, I am reminded why I was called to this work in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.journeytodream.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_to_dream/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/journey-to-dream-foundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTD4Teens/
