Jen Holleran is a dedicated philanthropic advisor who helps early donors align their giving with their values and purpose as they grow their philanthropy. A longtime educator and nonprofit leader, Jen has spent her career working toward one goal: unlocking human potential for all kids, especially those furthest from opportunity. She believes strong education is foundational to youth thriving and to economic mobility.
Jen has worked alongside some of the country's largest donors, helping deploy hundreds of millions of dollars with impact, including launching and leading Startup:Education in 2010, an education precursor to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. She advises some of New England’s leading donors as well as small and medium sized donors across the country. She has a deep network of foundation leaders and advisors to match donors with the right expertise for each issue area. Jen leads Purposeful Living, Purposeful Giving retreats for donors and to train advisors. Her Map and Navigator Notes resources are used by philanthropic advisors and donors to navigate giving in Education and Thriving Youth.
Jen draws on her decades of experience in education as a high school teacher and principal, a leader of district and charter schools in Oakland, the founder of the Bay Area New Leaders for New Schools, and as a member of multiple education boards.
Jen is a fellow in the Meaningful Giving Advisors Accelerator, a member of P150 (a global group of philanthropic advisors), and a Pahara Fellow in the Aspen Global Leaders Network. She is certified as a Daylight Impact Philanthropic Advisor and as a 21/64 Certified Advisor.
Personal:
Jen holds her MBA from Yale and her BA and MEd from Harvard, where she was two time captain of the national championship squash team, as well as individual national champion and the recipient of the Mary G. Paget Prize for the senior who has contributed the most to women's athletics. She and her husband live outside of Boston with their teenage twin sons. She still loves playing racquet sports, biking, hiking and traveling.