Jennifer earned her BA in Political Science from Antioch College, her Master’s in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College where her master’s thesis about taking American college students to India became a book, Subject India, published by Intercultural Press. She received her Doctorate in Education from the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts. Her dissertation, Multicultural Education in a Predominantly White Rural Public Elementary School, focused on anti-racism work in mostly white schools. During and shortly after graduate school Jennifer taught Intercultural Communication at Lesley College and the School for International Training, along with other courses at the University of Massachusetts and Springfield College.

At age 21 Jennifer inherited about $1,000,000. The juxtaposition of holding social justice values while being a Standard Oil heir led her to the world of social change philanthropy. She founded The People’s Resource of Southwest Ohio with a community board. Since then she has been involved with a wide range of social change philanthropic and donor activist organizations, including A Territory Resource (now Social Justice Fund), Threshold Foundation, Peace Development Fund, Women Donors Network, Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Peppercorn Foundation, Responsible Wealth and Bolder Giving. In 2004, Jenny decided to give away half of her assets over the next 4 years.

Jennifer co-founded Class Action, www.classism.org, with Felice Yeskel after co-founding a cross-class dialogue group that met monthly for six years. Class Action’s mission is to inspire action to end classism, raise awareness, facilitate cross-class dialogue, support cross-class alliances and work with others to promote economic justice. Jennifer continues to support and work closely with Class Acton.

Jennifer has undergone theater training with Augusto Boal, Michael Rohd, Keith Johnstone, Julie Portman, Karen Montenaro, Zany Angels, Linda Putnam, Ruth Zapora and Carolyn Sadeh. She integrates much of what she learns into her work with individuals, organizations and workshops.

She has recently completed a 125 hour course in Organizational and Relationship Systems Coaching. This training has added to her toolbox, along with Mediation Training, Non-Violent Communication and other modalities that she uses in working with organizations as they evolve.

She is also on the Temenos Council, http://www.massretreats.com/temenos.html and the Commonwealth Center for Change board, http://www.commonwealthcenter.org.

Jennifer has drawn upon a deep reflective spiritual practice for over 30 years. It is the foundation of her work, play, service and life.