Janet Padilla is the Chief Operating Officer of Ford NGL, a national social impact organization advancing workforce and education solutions that help communities prepare all young people for the future in a rapidly changing world—and for lives defined by their own aspirations, purpose, and potential.
For more than two decades, Janet has grown alongside Ford NGL as the organization evolved from a philanthropic initiative into an independent national organization with a sustainable business model and expanding national impact. Her career began at Ford philanthropy, where she worked in programmatic areas focused on education, workforce, and community impact. She later transitioned to Ford NGL, helping support and shape the organization’s growth from an incubated initiative into a mission-driven enterprise serving communities, institutions, and partners across the country.
That experience gave Janet a unique perspective on how philanthropy, education, industry, and community organizations can work together to create scalable solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and prepare young people for both career success and meaningful lives.
In addition to her role at Ford NGL, Janet is the founder of Prospera 359, a strategic life planning and leadership practice that partners with individuals and leaders to create greater clarity, alignment, and intentional growth across both life and work.
Rather than viewing entrepreneurship and executive leadership as competing paths, Janet believes in the power of the both/and. Building a purpose-driven business while leading at scale within a national organization has expanded her perspective on leadership, resilience, and human potential. Her work is grounded in the belief that when people are empowered to align their strengths, values, and purpose, organizations and communities are stronger because of it.
Janet’s leadership philosophy is deeply personal. Inspired by her mother’s example of building a life rooted in contribution, purpose, and community, she believes success is not defined by conventional expectations, but by the courage to build intentionally and lead authentically.
Through her work, Janet continues to champion workforce innovation, leadership development, and economic mobility while helping others design lives and careers that are purposeful, strategic, and unapologetically their own.