Jennifer Thelander

Jennifer Thelander has been part of Portland's nonprofit community since arriving in 2010; specializing in event production and fundraising. She primarily works with music and arts organizations that have an emphasis on supporting youth. She has simultaneously worked with adults experiencing developmental disability as an advocate, care provider and educator. Prior to redirecting her career to fundraising, Jennifer worked in the mental health field, providing case management to persons in a lock down setting, and then serving as Board President for a transitional housing program. Volunteerism has always been important to Jennifer and she’s been a committed volunteer and/or board member for a number of organizations, ranging from helping launch a nonprofit roller derby league to directing theatrical fundraising events to securing grants for music festivals. She became inspired as a teenager to serve her community after reading this quote from Mother Teresa: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Currently, Jennifer volunteers as a women’s self defense instructor and as an event producer for an all ages music organization. She is grateful that she has had the opportunity and privilege to volunteer with so many incredible agencies. Outside of work, Jennifer likes open water swimming, playing with dogs, finding Heritage Trees around Portland, seeing live music and exploring museums and their gift shops. She values community media, and believes that unbiased information should be accessible to everyone.