From her start as a Head Start preschool teacher in 2000 to her current role as CEO of Utah Community Action, the state’s largest nonprofit helping families overcome poverty, Jennifer Godfrey has built a career defined by impact.

Seeing unmet needs, she spearheaded the creation of UCA’s central kitchen, serving 600,000 meals annually, and introduced a diversion program while leading a 550-person team. She’s steered UCA through federal funding cuts, providing essential programs for over 56,000 people annually.

Today, Jennifer is focused on public-private partnerships that expand early childhood education and advancing affordable housing initiatives. A Utah Business CEO of the Year finalist, Jennifer is anchored in her purpose, creating opportunities for the people she serves.

Jennifer’s Leadership Lessons:

• Stretch into discomfort — it’s how you grow.
• Lead even when afraid; name the fear and act.
• When stuck, reconnect to purpose and why.