“Jen is levitatious - she lights up every room she enters with a kind and calming presence. Her approach to bringing ancient wisdom to a modern day practice makes mindfulness accessible and effective - engaging even the skeptical. We’re all better people by knowing her.”
- Jade Ku Sonkin, Learning for Transformation Director @ L’Oreal USA
I used to struggle with stillness. Sometimes, I still do. But I’ve come to realize if we move so quickly all the time, we miss out on something pretty important: life.
I moved to New York City 16 years ago to work in tech, so fast was a pace that always felt fine for me, until one day, it didn’t. I was experiencing chronic back pain, insomnia, and anxiety. On the outside, things couldn’t have been better. On the inside, I was completely unraveling. A crossroads emerged: start taking pills or try being still. I chose the latter, accepting an invitation to focus more attention on what’s happening inside than outside.
Now, I offer this invitation to others by teaching mindful practices. When we regularly spend time in stillness and silence, we come to know ourselves more deeply. We begin to see thoughts, narratives, tendencies, and triggers accurately, and they start to have less control over how we feel and respond. Gradually, we become more present, creative, inclusive, and kind - qualities desperately needed in today’s (corporate) world.
My purpose is not to teach anyone what to do with their life or work, or how to make these things better. Instead, I’m here to teach people how to go inside so that they can discover that for themselves.
I know that when we go in, what we put out into the world becomes much more meaningful and beautiful.
Expertise
Bringing an accessible, relevant, and science-backed approach to mindful practices
Connecting mindful practices directly to the development of today’s most essential leadership skills
Helping people foster their innate compassion, empathy, courage, and resilience
Guiding people to move beyond intellect and information and into intuition
Experience
~ 20 years of experience shaping organizational culture through communications, training, and change management.
Leadership Development Faculty at Mentora Institute
Frequent Guest Speaker at Columbia Business School
Founder of MINDFRESH, a global organization that pioneered corporate mindfulness training and supported thousands of employees at the world’s leading organizations to cultivate deeper awareness, empathy, and clarity.
Early-stage team member and post-IPO exit, Pandora
2018 TEDx Wilmington Women Speaker >
Can Mindfulness Save the Earth?10 years teaching yoga and meditation
800-Hour Advanced Certified Jivamukti Teacher
Certified Holistic Health Coach
“Jen lives and breathes her teaching. She forges a deep sense of fusion with her audience, bringing them to a place of grace not as much by engaging their minds, but stilling their consciousness, not as much by an exchange of words, but a sharing of spirit, not as much by the nodding of heads, but the opening of hearts. It is evident to the audience that Jen is not being a teacher, Jen is being Jen -- and that by her guidance, they, too, are being invited to be their true selves.”
— Hitendra Wadhwa, Professor of Practice, Columbia Business School // Founder & CEO, Mentora Institute
“Jen and her team came into Richemont recently to speak about mindfulness. I can not say enough positive things regarding my experience working with Jen. Her presentation was engaging and inspiring! She was able to speak to mindfulness in a practical and realistic way that resonated with the team. We are beyond happy to have worked with her and highly recommend her to anyone or any company looking to engage with mindfulness!”
— Stephanie Zawaki, Talent, Inclusion & Engagement, Sr. Manager at Richemont
“We've been lucky enough to work with Jen for the Shine app for the last 2 years. Her talent, compassion and energy are one of a kind. From her ability to communicate such care and connection in her voice work, to the positive energy she brings to every recording — she elevates everyone she works with.”
— Naomi Hirabayashi & Marah Lidey, Co-Founders at Shine
“Jen has been an incredible partner, educator, mentor, and friend over the years.
We have worked together on a number of initiatives, from bringing mindfulness and movement to employees across various tech companies, to working on the content and themes of panels at events like Grace Hopper. Jen is who I turn to when I need advice and guidance on how to engage employees so that they can develop the tools to help move through their lives (including their lives at work) — from a centered and sustainable place. Our topic at Grace Hopper, for example, was all about bringing mindfulness into the workplace, with a focus on managing team, setting boundaries, and self-care.
I have a hard time describing her energy and presence because it is so rare. Strong, focused, present, kind, compassionate, creative, articulate, inspiring, motivating, and thoughtful are all words that come to mind.
I will jump at the opportunity to work with Jen on any project — from live speaking engagements, to internal workshops and programming, to digital content (audio podcasts, etc) — and so should you.”
— Colleen Finnegan, Manager, Recruiting Marketing at Squarespace