The State of Women Welcomes Jen Amos As Executive Director

We’re proud and excited to introduce award-winning podcaster Jen Amos as the new executive director for The State of Women Institute. Read her introduction below, and join us in welcoming her!

The first time I was hired to be an executive director for a nonprofit organization, I knew full well that I was joining an established team in which I’d be the only brown girl. I was selected to fill in the shoes of a woman who held my new role for over 30 years.

Within a matter of months, I was fired.

Nearly 10 years later, I hope to redeem myself as the new executive director of The State of Women. Only this time, I’m part of a team that values, celebrates, and welcomes brown girls like me.

My first exposure to The State of Women was an interesting one. If you participated in the first Amplifying Her Voice International Women’s Day Summit in March 2021, you’ll know that the word “interesting” is a bit generous. Though I was excited to receive my speaking invitation, I quickly picked up on the fast-paced, scrambling, start-up vibes to get this summit organized. I felt like I was receiving all of the email updates days before my speaking engagement (in which I turned out to be a panelist), yet still couldn’t fully grasp what I was supposed to do or talk about. Later, I learned what felt like last-minute organizing of an event didn’t sit well with everyone. I admit even I felt that way. But overall, the speed with which this was all coming together intrigued me.

Spontaneity, pivoting, adapting, and improvising are normal parts of my lifestyle as an entrepreneur, podcaster, and former military child. Also, being raised by a widowed mother and having benefited from many female friendships and friends who are mothers (or how I affectionately describe as “mom friends”), I was able to look past my first impression of Amplifying Her Voice to show up for my panel. Though I can’t honestly say that the aftertaste of speaking was satisfying, it’s the ongoing impression and admiration of The State of Women team behind Amplifying Her Voice and the community it attracts that I continue to give grace, show up, and even moderate panels for the two summits that followed after.

Read more —> https://thestateofwomen.com/the-state-of-women-welcomes-jen-amos-as-executive-director/