About Me

Writing is in my blood. My mom was an English teacher who quoted authors like Mark Twain and Eudora Welty at the dinner table. Our shelves were always brimming with books. At school, I helped my friends write college essays, not only by editing and proofreading but by drawing out the stories that I knew they had to tell. 

When it came time to declare a major in college, the only thing I wanted to continue studying was literature. So with a B.A. in English from Tufts University tucked under my arm, I marched into the wide and eclectic world of words. For the past thirty years I have been happy with that decision and am known to encourage young people to pursue English as a focus of study - what can't an English major do?

I am also a born organizer and planner, taking on tasks like event planning, organizing large procedural manuals and reports, developing training programs, and facilitating strategic planning. Having served on many Boards of Directors of nonprofit organizations, I have always been drawn to getting people together to talk things out, brainstorm, and work up solutions.  I truly believe that amazing things happen through lively, guided communication and collaboration.

And the other stuff - the things that make me who I am - include: sailing, hiking, dogs, bicycles, music, bonfires, living off the grid, parenting, yoga, reading, walking, family.

Download my resume here (click to view or download PDF)

Objectives

To be engaged in meaningful and important work while working collaboratively with diverse and passionate people

To participate in growth and positive change through excellent verbal and written communication

Experience

Over the past 30 years I have worked in marketing, technical writing, journalism, custom training & development, board development, website design, event planning, social networking, membership development, volunteer coordination, communication, outreach and consulting.

I have spent most of the past 20 years revitalizing and assisting non-profit organizations grow and remain sustainable. Methods have included planning and strategizing for member, customer and volunteer value; revitalizing membership development; designing volunteer training programs; growing membership through targeted and consistent communications; writing policy and procedures manuals; facilitating retreats; restructuring membership benefits and organizing fundraising events.  I have also participated on the Board of Directors of many nonprofits. (Oh! and raised two children.)

Since 2013, I have written and designed powerpoint presentations and talking points for national meetings, revamped old websites, designed fundraising materials, set up and managed gotomeeting webinars, restructured and migrated member databases and guided committees with strategic planning and visioning work.

In 2015 I held the position of Lead Writer on a team of seven people charged with writing, researching and developing a 75-page Native Engagement Plan that became part of a multi-billion-dollar energy project. I also helped design a customizable Individual Donor Package.

Jen Gordon Consulting represents the gathering together of this broad spectrum of writing experiences to provide consulting/ writing/ coaching/ visioning/ research/ planning/ documentation services.

Today my clients are small business owners and nonprofit organizations, corporate and creative people - men and women who require assistance turning their thoughts and ideas into clearly written documents, presentations, websites, reports, plans, manuals, newsletters, emails,forms, resumes, by-laws, etc. If it involves words, I will create it.

Your words will shine when we collaborate together. I promise!