Jennifer has been happily immersed in rural community vitality for most of her career. She graduated from Kansas State University with degrees in Political Science and Economics, and earned an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has worked with rural nonprofits and local governments across the Pacific Northwest to support organizational development and community priorities; Jennifer has a passion for civic engagement at all levels of government and getting resources into the hands of rural leaders to advance their efforts to improve their communities. She directs programs at RDI related to organizational development (Ready, Set, Grant!) and public policy (Community Conversations, Rural Civic Engagement Project).

Jennifer has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 2000, and spends any free time she has outside on her bike or exploring hiking trails. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success of rural communities as part of the RDI team.