When Jennifer Jenkins’ younger brother was severely injured in an explosion in Iraq, her life was blown up right alongside his. Thrust into the role of “caregiver”, Jennifer had to navigate an entirely new lifestyle from scratch – until Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) stepped in to help. Now, Jennifer is honored to share her experience to transform peoples’ mindsets and improve their lives.
Speaker availability may vary based on date and location.
In 2005, U.S. Army Specialist James Smith suffered multiple injuries, including a severe brain injury, while on a mission with his Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Iraq. His older sister, Jennifer Jenkins, rushed to his aid, becoming his full-time caregiver and guiding him through his difficult transition to civilian life.
After struggling for years caring for James, Jennifer discovered WWP when a staff member invited her family to the annual Chicago Air & Water Show. That air show was the beginning of a life-changing experience for Jennifer and her family. Through WWP, Jennifer’s family connected with other warriors and found mental health assistance and peer support. This led to James enrolling in the Independence Program, which helps him live on his own without sacrificing the care he needs. It also gave Jennifer the flexibility to resume her career, albeit on an entirely new path – inspiring audiences as a professional keynote speaker and storyteller.
Jennifer’s journey has helped her understand the sacrifices, challenges, and unmet needs that caregivers face every day. Her message of love and support is clear and unapologetic, and she shares her unique perspective with audiences to help transform the way we perceive life’s many hurdles.
Below are some of the many topics on which Jennifer can speak.
Jennifer has spoken at a variety of events — from casual community gatherings to galas, conferences, meetings, and just about everything in between.
Below are some of the groups who have heard Jennifer’s message:
Hear from attendees who felt energized, inspired, and motivated by Jennifer.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Jennifer did an amazing job presenting her story to Ulta Beauty and our associates. We appreciated her vulnerability and the relatability of her story. I have already received multiple messages of praise from our leadership on how Jennifer's message resonated with them.’”
Ulta Beauty
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I can't say enough about how much this event helped to motivate our staff, increase engagement, and decrease burnout. Thank you so much to Jennifer Jenkins for being invaluable to the success of this event as well as being flexible and willing to adapt as circumstances changed. Thank you!”
Department of Veterans Affairs
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“We are so honored that you joined us as our Keynote Speaker and we truly appreciate your authenticity as you delivered remarks that impacted every attendee. Since the event, we have had numerous attendees reach out to us sharing their story on how they checked in with individuals they hadn’t spoken with in a while. It has been extremely moving to experience the impact of your session.”
Prudential
Experience the genuine voice and heartfelt impact Jennifer brings to every conversation and engagement.
“Not all battles are fought in uniform. My caregiver mission challenged everything I thought I knew about strength—and showed me what it really means to serve.”
Caregiver
Jennifer Jenkins
Learn more about Jennifer Jenkins and how she helps raise awareness for the needs of injured veterans and their families.
