Testimonials
I had the pleasure of working with Kenya, and she consistently impressed me with her strategic mindset, thoroughness, and collaborative approach. Kenya brings both clarity and direction to every project, making her an invaluable partner. Kenya is professional, dependable, and true asset to work alongside. I highly recommend Kenya to anyone seeking impactful results.
VP of Operations, Retail
It was a pleasure working alongside Kenya during her time as Head of Compensation and later Head of Total Rewards at IKEA, where I served as a consultant supporting her department. Over the course of two years, I witnessed firsthand her exceptional ability to lead large-scale compensation initiatives with precision and foresight. Kenya consistently demonstrated a talent for designing frameworks that balanced market competitiveness, internal equity, and organizational values. Her collaborative style and deep expertise made her a respected partner to cross-functional teams, and she excelled at translating complex data into clear, actionable strategies that earned trust at all levels of leadership.
Kenya is a strategic thinker who thrives on solving nuanced challenges. She approaches every project with a unique combination of analytical rigor and empathy, ensuring solutions are not only technically sound but also aligned with the human elements of workplace culture. Whether navigating complex structural overhauls or addressing sensitive organizational challenges, she listens intently to stakeholders, asks insightful questions, and crafts innovative paths forward. Her calm demeanor and ability to foster open communication and trust within teams make her a natural leader—one who elevates outcomes while maintaining a positive, energizing work environment. Beyond her professional expertise, Kenya also served as a mentor to me, generously sharing her knowledge and guiding me through intricate challenges with patience and insight.
Now, as the founder of Next Level Rewards, Kenya brings this same excellence to her consulting practice. Her decision to launch this venture reflects her passion for advancing equitable, future-focused rewards strategies that empower organizations to attract and retain top talent. For anyone seeking a trusted advisor who combines technical mastery with a people-first mindset, Kenya is an invaluable partner. I enthusiastically endorse her work and encourage you to explore her insights https://nxtlevelrewards.com
David Stahler, Sr. Director of HR
I had the pleasure of working closely with Kenya Jacobs during our time together at IKEA, where she played a pivotal role in developing and advancing our total rewards strategy for both corporate and front-line employees.
Kenya has a rare ability to bring clarity, structure, and fairness to complex compensation and benefits challenges. She led the design and evolution of compensation and benefits programs that were not only competitive and market-informed, but also practical, easy to understand, and aligned with business and workforce needs. Her work strengthened trust, supported performance, and helped leaders communicate rewards with confidence.
Beyond her technical expertise, Kenya is a true partner—thoughtful, collaborative, and deeply committed to creating employee-centered solutions. She understands how total rewards connects to culture, retention, and engagement, and she consistently translates strategy into actionable outcomes.
It was an absolute pleasure working with Kenya, and I highly recommend her and Next Level Rewards to any organization seeking a clear, equitable, and effective total rewards approach.
Leontyne Green Sykes, MBA, Former Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, now Chief Human Resources Officer