Born in the Fox River Valley of Illinois, Jenny completed undergraduate studies in International Relations and a graduate degree in Public Administration/Environmental Policy from Northern Illinois University. Jenny served 33 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, initially working on solid waste issues, and then for 28 years as a Tribal Liaison for the tribal nations in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
That work included policy development and projects related to surface and drinking water, ambient and indoor air, underground storage tanks, and emergency response. Her time with EPA gave her the opportunity to work with many different communities, providing a better appreciation for the variety of relationships between humans and landscapes. It also brought her to the Boardman/Ottaway River watershed in Traverse City, Michigan where she continues to reside, doing her best to live “friluftsliv” (open-air life) – a good day includes spending some time on trails, water, or snow. Retirement has also allowed for more volunteering in the community, including with a local homeless shelter, food pantry, and a support group for kidney transplant patients.