Jackie Welch
TIRO, LLC (Time Is Running Out)
Professional Development / Life Coaching
Jackie Welch describes herself as “a southern lady born and raised in Birmingham, AL.” The youngest of four sisters, she graduated from Tennessee State University College, an HBCU in Nashville, TN. After college, she took her first corporate position with General Motors in Flint, MI and was relocated to Ventura, CA.
As someone who loves a challenge, Jackie pivoted from GM to Xerox Corporation and was once again relocated. This time the career move took her to Northern CA where she landed in Fremont prior to the Silicon Valley boom in 1989.
She credits Shelton, her husband of 35+ years for introducing her to Xerox Corporation where she developed expertise in sales and marketing. As a “people person”, Jackie put her relationship building skills to good use at Xerox. This career path suited her perfectly. While at Xerox, she honed her leadership skills and built business relationships.
Following her successful 28-year corporate career at Xerox, Jackie heeded her entrepreneurial spirit and opted to pursue a new direction. Motivated to help others become the best version of themselves, she received training to become a Certified Credentialed Coach, CPCC. Jackie formed her own company, (TIRO, LLC) Time Is Running Out which is based in Fremont and specializes in life coaching and professional development. She’s enlightened audiences as a workshop trainer, facilitator, and guest speaker, covering topics that include public speaking, time management, goal setting, networking, and leadership. Her clients include Valley Water, Santa Clara University, Ohlone College, CSM College of San Mateo, American Management Association just to name a few.
Jackie’s professional work has earned her many prestigious accolades, including in 2020 being recognized among the 100 Most Influential Women by Silicon Valley Business Journal. In 2023, she was selected as a Goldman Sachs Cohort One Million Black Women Business Entrepreneur and has received the Community HERO award recipient presented by Assembly Member Kansen Chu.
Her lifelong role model remains her mother Thelma who, at 89 years young, is still the “best teacher of life.” Over the years, Thelma has instilled in her daughters a moral compass, values, faith, a strong work ethic, and a spirit of determination. Jackie fondly recalls her favorite “Southern-Mom message” — “Pretty is as Pretty does.” In other words, “how you treat people matters.”
Jackie first heard about Impact100 over 5 years ago while attending a business workshop in San Ramon where the guest speaker was Nancy Clark. After exchanging business cards, Jackie promptly followed up with Nancy. The two women immediately formed a remarkable connection based on their similar long-term corporate careers, parallel interests and shared values of giving back and supporting local communities.
Jackie’s community involvement has included being a Girl Scout Troop Leader for over 10 years, a Board Member for BACH (Bay Area Community Health) and life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Rho Delta Omega Chapter, Palo Alto) where she now serves as newly elected 2024 Chapter President.
Since becoming a member of Impact100 East Bay, Jackie relishes “being in the room where it happens.” She thoroughly enjoys reviewing grant applications and presentations, and seeing firsthand the great work being done in our communities. She’s proud of the role Impact100 plays in providing greater financial resources to the selected non-profit organizations and heartily believes in its philosophy: Each one, Help one!
In her free time, Jackie enjoys photography and is the one who insists on taking photos to capture special moments. For the longest time, her family would protest, saying “No, not another picture!” But these days her tenacity has paid off when special events are planned and she’s asked, “Hey, do you by chance have this picture?”
When asked about her mentor, Jackie is quick to select her HBCU school’s most famous alumnus: Oprah Winfrey. Jackie admires Oprah’s personal brand, reflections of her life journey, and the many obstacles she’s endured to achieve the success she enjoys today. Jackie characterizes Oprah as a savvy businesswoman who is now writing her own story. “She’s fearless in the face of change and new adventures”, as shown by re-tooling from TV personality to producer, and magazine publisher. Jackie especially likes how Oprah is constantly giving back to others and lifting others as she climbs!
Quote by Oprah: Be Thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never have enough.