Jennifer is a retired lawyer who has returned to the University of Texas to pursue a degree in astronomy. Jennifer received her first undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Texas in 1995 and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1998. After graduating, Jennifer practiced law for 23 years at Vinson & Elkins LLP. She focused her practice on civil litigation, primarily representing companies and their officers and directors in lawsuits and other disputes with shareholders. But Jennifer always considered returning to school to study astronomy. In 2021, she decided to make that dream her reality; she retired from the practice of law and returned to the University of Texas as an undergraduate student once again. Jennifer’s new studies have just begun, but she is enjoying learning about the universe and all it contains.

Jennifer first became involved with United Way through its Women United donor network in 2009. She was initially drawn to its work with Success By Six and early childhood education. Jennifer then learned more about United Way’s broader mission to help fight poverty in Central Texas and wanted to become more involved. She served on the Executive Committee for Women United for several years before joining the Board of Directors in 2014. She has served on the Board from 2014-2020 and 2021 to the present.

When she is not studying the stars, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family in Austin and Colorado, spoiling her six grandchildren, and being outdoors with her two Lab mixes, Newton and Lincoln.