Jeannette has since 2007, led Justice and Joy National Collaborative (Justice +Joy) through the reinvention of this 142-year-old intergenerational gender and racial justice nonprofit engaged in advocacy, organizing and research. Her commitment to advocating with and for girls, young women and gender expansive young people of color began as a young activist in the 70’s. This is where her firm belief in the “nothing about us without us” practice and a dedication to following the leadership of those most impacted by all forms of oppression and the intersections of them was born. Justice + Joy works collaboratively across the country with staff in 5 states and Canada, young advocates in 40+ states and community-based partners in 45+ states.
Jeannette was the Director of the National Girls Initiative – Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), U. S. Department of Justice from 2013- 2018. Today, Jeannette provides strategic direction on the 2021-2025 OJJDP Reducing Risk for Girls national training and technical assistance award awarded to Justice + Joy. Additionally, she is a member of: the Advisory Board of the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health and board member for the Young Women’s Freedom Center.
Her prior experience includes being a partner at Metropolitan Group, a social change consulting agency; working in human and civil rights for the cities of Salem, Portland and Multnomah County at the city and serving as senior policy advisor on Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts team; founding a nonprofit education program for middle and high school students in Washington County, Oregon; and holding leadership roles in student services in public and private four-year universities. Jeannette holds a master’s degree of education in student development theory, counseling and administration. She and her husband are the parents of four “grown” children ages 40–46.
