Jen is a 21-year Hermosa Beach resident best known by friends, neighbors, and colleagues for her big laugh, her generous spirit, her insatiable curiosity, and her commitment not only to do the right thing but to make sure it gets done.

Jen’s journey in education started at the northernmost point in North America, Barrow, Alaska, where she was born and raised by two educators who had moved there to make an impact on the world. Her mother was a 5th-grade teacher. Her father was the Principal and regional Superintendent. At an early age, Jen and her brother Jon were instilled with the conviction that strong schools are intimately tied to a community’s culture, health, and prosperity. This belief lit a fire in Jen to make her own impact on the world.

Jen’s career started with a bachelor’s degree in Politics from the University of San Francisco and a 10-year stint in advertising at internationally-acclaimed Wieden+Kennedy where she managed and led global marketing campaigns for Nike, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. While working at the company’s Portland office, Jen fueled her personal passions by developing fund-raising ad campaigns for The American Indian College Fund. After 5 years at the company’s Amsterdam office and after earning a Master’s Degree at the University of Amsterdam, she decided it was time to dedicate her skills, energy, and influence to what mattered to her most: education.

While pursuing her second Master's Degree, in Education, from Loyola Marymount University, Jen was concurrently a Corps Member for Teach for America, the prestigious national program designed to source and develop future leaders in education, where she developed a network of forward-thinking educators. Over the next ten years, Jen served at various public schools and public charter schools around LA, in almost every capacity; from 5th grade teacher and subsequent Project Facilitator/Title I Coordinator in the Compton Unified School District where she developed curriculum roadmaps, managed Federal and State funding, and advocated for parents with limited English skills, to Founding Principal of a public charter school, Frederick Douglass Academy Elementary School (ICEF),  where she had to set up every system from scratch, budget wisely, and engage a skeptical community to help the school thrive.

Jen later moved into leadership training for other educators, as a mentor and coach. She spent 6 years as an Adjunct Professor, Cohort Leader, and Coach for the School Leadership Program at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. She also guided talent recruitment efforts for charter management organizations including Bright Star, Valor, Inner City Education Foundation, and Teach For America for which she also serves on the Associates Board.

Today, Jen focuses her energy on making an impact locally. She has served two terms on the Hermosa Beach City School Board, as well two terms on the board of Bright Star Schools. She volunteers at Adams Middle School as an Instructor for Hands-On Art and other PTA programs, as well as Assistant Coach for the school volleyball teams, and the National Charity League. She also serves as a Team Parent for the Redondo Union High School JV boys water polo team. 

When she’s not deeply engaged in her educational pursuits, Jen can be found on the pickleball courts, in Valley Park with her dog, on the strand walking or running, in her front yard trying to read all the books assigned by her book club, or engaging neighbors in spirited discussions about a healthy future for Hermosa.

Jen envisions a future for Hermosa Beach Schools where all kids feel safe, healthy, inspired, and prepared by school. She supports a community that feels confident and proud to have the Best Little Beach School in California.