Jenny Roberts
Jenny Roberts is a dedicated community organizer and marine biologist with a strong background in environmental conservation, policy advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. With a Bachelor’s in Marine Biology and a Master’s in Marine Affairs and Policy, she combines scientific expertise with hands-on experience to drive impactful conservation initiatives. Early in her career, she worked in Hawaii on large whale research and conservation, serving as a naturalist and conservation manager, focusing on marine debris, plastic pollution, and the protection of humpback whale habitats. Her work extended into policy advocacy, where she contributed to a Clean Water Act case with the Surfrider Foundation that successfully reached the Supreme Court. Transitioning her advocacy to reproductive justice, Jenny served as an Executive Assistant in the executive office at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, supporting senior leadership during a critical period following the Dobbs decision. There, she coordinated board affairs, tracked legal developments on abortion and gender-affirming care, and helped advance organizational priorities in a highly volatile policy landscape. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, resilience, and mission-driven leadership, ensuring that every project she engages in reflects her commitment to equity, justice, and social impact. Currently, Jenny serves as the Executive and External Affairs Assistant at Meals on Wheels San Diego County, where she manages C-suite schedules, oversees the 17-member Board of Trustees, and supports fundraising efforts. Beyond her professional roles, she is an advocate for women’s rights, senior dignity, and environmental stewardship, while also working on a memoir focused on intimate partner violence to educate and empower young women. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time by the ocean, reflecting her lifelong connection to the marine environment and her enduring passion for conservation and community service.
• Leadership Foundations: Leadership Styles and Models
• Prioritizing Tasks for Maximum Impact
• IDEA in Leadership
• Inland Ocean Ambassador
• Protected Species Observer
• Marine Mammal Observer
• Marine Animal Rescue Society
• Open Water SCUBA
• University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science - MS
• Auburn University
• Tri Beta National Biological Honor Society
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
• National Society for Collegiate Scholars
• Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
• Surfrider Foundation San Diego County
• Center for Community Solutions
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being mission-driven, advocating with dedication, and collaborating effectively as part of a team.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be passionate about the mission, volunteer to test-fit within organizations, and recognize that the work can be deeply rewarding but also potentially draining if you aren’t truly connected to the cause.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to be prepared for challenges such as burnout in nonprofit work and the volatility surrounding reproductive and gender-affirming care policies. At the same time, there are significant opportunities to make an impact, including addressing food insecurity, supporting seniors to age in place with dignity, and advancing environmental advocacy, such as combating plastic pollution.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are mission-driven advocacy, honoring the dignity of others—especially older adults—collaborating effectively as part of a team, and cultivating resilience through intentional self-care practices.
Locations
Meals on Wheels San Diego County
San Diego, CA 92112