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She previously worked for AJAC, a nonprofit that offers apprenticeship programs in manufacturing, partnering with manufacturing companies throughout Eastern Washington and Idaho. Her work brought her into contact with employers who needed skilled workers and individuals looking for a way into good-paying careers. Apprenticeships provide a powerful solution— allowing people to earn while they learn, gain nationally recognized skills, and build careers without necessarily following a traditional four-year college path.
That experience continues to influence how she approaches healthcare workforce development today. Whether the setting is a manufacturing floor, a classroom, a rural hospital, or a healthcare training program, Jenna sees the same fundamental challenge; people need a clear path from where they are today to where they want to be tomorrow.
She has a personal appreciation for rural communities. Jenna lives on 21 acres in rural Whitman County, where life is considerably different from the bustle of a city campus or manufacturing facility. Living in a rural area has reinforced her belief that opportunity shouldn ' t depend on someone ' s ZIP code. Rural communities need skilled workers, employers need talent, and individuals need accessible ways to build skills and advance.
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