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Jennifer J Jenkins

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY 

Manager, Blackstone LaunchPad

Faculty Director

EMAIL

jjjenkins@temple.edu

BIOGRAPHY

Jennifer is the Faculty Director behind TEDxTempleUniversity 2025. A published author, playwright, and communications specialist, Jennifer brings both creativity and depth to her role — where stories, ideas, and performance intersect.

At the helm of TEDxTemple, Jennifer provides thoughtful guidance to the team, helping shape the event’s vision, refine its message, and ensure that each speaker’s voice resonates with clarity and impact. Her wide-ranging career — from publishing and theater to communications and education — gives her a unique perspective on how ideas can be crafted, shared, and amplified.

Her leadership is defined by insight, collaboration, and a belief in the power of words to connect and inspire. With experience spanning the Manhattan Theatre Club, Steven Sondheim’s Young Playwrights, PBS’s Great Performances, and numerous academic and editorial roles, Jennifer has dedicated her career to elevating voices and nurturing creativity.

Beyond TEDx, Jennifer is deeply committed to the art of storytelling — whether through her award-nominated novel American Bourbon, her work in publishing, or her teaching. Her journey reflects both achievement and empathy, marked by a dedication to making knowledge accessible, imaginative, and transformative.

In guiding this year’s TEDx, Jennifer is helping set the stage for conversations that matter — inviting dialogue, sparking innovation, and celebrating the power of ideas to bring people together.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Manager, Blackstone LaunchPad – Temple University (Apr 2024 – Present).
  • Program Coordinator – Temple University (Mar 2022 – Sep 2024)
  • Communications Instructor – Penn State University (Jan 2020 – May 2021)
  • Adjunct Professor – Keystone College (2018 – 2020) & Wilkes University (2016 – 2018)
  • Editorial Manager – Kaylie Jones Books (2016 – 2019)
  • Marketing Coordinator – Wilkes University (2015 – 2017)
  • Director of Theatre Arts – Dietrich Theater (2010 – 2014)
  • Production Associate – WNET, PBS Great Performances (2000 – 2002)
  • Script Analyst – Steven Sondheim’s Young Playwrights (1994 – 2000)
  • Literary Assistant – Manhattan Theatre Club (1991 – 1994)

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

  • Mentor and guide for creative writers, student entrepreneurs, and community storytellers
  • Active role in TEDxTempleUniversity 2025 as Faculty Director, providing mentorship, creative oversight, and event guidance

AWARDS & HONORS

  • American Bourbon – Finalist, Tucson Literary Awards
  • Plays produced in New York and regional theaters
  • Published works in both fiction and nonfiction across entertainment, publishing, and business