At 22, Jenna Burd has already learned something that can take others much longer to figure out: Sometimes growth begins with betting on yourself.
For Burd, that meant trusting the marketing business she had already built — even when a full-time job opportunity was waiting.
“I just knew I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to bet on myself,” Burd said.
That bet didn’t close the door. It opened an unexpected one.
Burd, a 2026 Butler University graduate and Carmel entrepreneur, said she became the first person to participate in Orr Fellowship while also running her own Orr partner company, Yalla Solutions.
Orr Fellowship is a two-year professional development program for recent college graduates. Fellows typically work full time for Indiana partner companies while participating in professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities. The organization’s mission includes developing the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Burd received an early placement with an Orr partner company in August 2025 while continuing to grow Yalla. By October, she decided to turn down the full-time position and put her faith in the business she had built.
She thought...