For Jen Anderson, life has been about family and philanthropy, as well as a successful career in business. Jen has a kind heart and is full of compassion. Starting with volunteering for a teen suicide hotline in high school, Jen has volunteered with an animal shelter for the past ten years. She is currently the treasurer and volunteer for the nonprofit Operation Birthday Party (OBP), which provides birthday kits for underprivileged teens, some of whom have never had a birthday party. “Giving back has always been about children and animals for me, because they didn’t choose their path,” Jen shared.

Jen attended San Francisco State University, then the University of Nevada, Reno. Jen explained, “I met a boy in college, and he was from Colorado, so we moved here together in 1999.” Jen earned an MBA from the University of Denver. Jen and Ryan married in 2002, and the couple moved to the Hidden Pointe neighborhood in 2011. They have two children: Jack, who attends Carthage College in Wisconsin and is on the football team, and Kate, who is a junior at Rock Canyon High School and on the cheer team. Kate helps her mom collect birthday kits for OBP.

Jen’s career spans business, public relations, media, communications and consumer product goods at large corporations. While taking some time off and consulting, her current boss called with an opportunity. For almost two years, Jen has been working for The ‘Pause Life, founded by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, an OB/GYN and author who provides education, advocacy, awareness and support about perimenopause and menopause. As a communications specialist, Jen supports the director of communications, who schedules media interviews and manages public relations on behalf of Dr. Haver.

“I’ve never worked in such a supportive, uplifting, strong, positive environment,” Jen said. “The ‘Pause Life provides a community where women feel validated about what they’re going through, know that they don’t have to suffer and are given resources to advocate for themselves and others.” Used to a cutthroat mentality in business, Jen expressed how being in this “dream job” makes her feel like she is doing the right thing and helping women as well.

Growing up, Jen’s dad was an airline pilot, so she traveled quite a bit. She described a trip to Venezuela in the 1980s where her dad encouraged her to find the hotel, despite not speaking Spanish. “My dad made me a very independent traveler. I went to Europe by myself when I was 17,” Jen said, who also traveled through Central America and Asia.

“Accepting others and understanding other cultures and their values is something important for me to give to my children. I want them to have compassion and to do the right thing, not only when others are watching, but when no one’s watching. I’m pretty passionate about people being nice to others,” Jen shared.

The Andersons enjoy traveling and have jaunted to Europe and Hawaii but Jen’s happy place is any place Disney. They love and spoil their 8-year-old Maltese Shih Tzu, Bentley.

For more information on The ‘Pause Life, visit thepauselife.com.

 

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Jen Anderson