Jennifer Johnson
She/Her/Hers (ella)
Associate Director of Training
Jennifer joined Be Strong Families in March 2021 and currently provides support and leadership for the Be Strong Families’ training team.
Jennifer spent the first nine years of her life on the east coast before her family moved to a ranch in Calistoga, California, where she spent the remainder of her childhood and teenage years. A deep and early interest in human behavior led Jennifer to earn an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Mills College and later a master’s degree in Cognitive Science & Language from the University of Barcelona. Living in Spain for nearly a decade, Jennifer learned two languages, taught English, studied Ashtanga Yoga and Vedic philosophy, and worked supporting the finance department for a multi-national infrastructure company. Upon returning to the United States, Jennifer managed visitor services, membership, and events for her hometown Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer's true calling was found in volunteer work with under-resourced youth populations in the US and abroad. Driven by a profound desire to utilize her skills for the greater good, she considers herself fortunate to be an integral part of the remarkable Be Strong Families team. With a heart dedicated to advocacy, Jennifer is particularly passionate about social justice issues, with a strong focus on racial justice, sustainability, and animal welfare. Jennifer currently serves on the Birth to Five IL Advisory Council for her region, impacting policies and initiatives that shape early childhood development.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer finds joy and learning opportunities striving to be the best mom she can be to her two young children, Zoe and Owen. Together with her husband, James, and their beloved rescue cats, they call Northern Illinois home.
“Family is there to support and to lean on through the best and the worst. Like an ever-changing living organism, it needs nurture, love, and space to evolve. Healthy family relationships are a foundation for creating positive and long-lasting change in the world.”