In this role, she has helped launch and grow hundreds of startups and developed programs that accelerate commercialization and early-stage company development. She also serves as NSF I-Corps Program Director and an NSF I-Corps instructor at UConn, leading efforts to train researchers and founders in customer discovery, market validation, and business model development to bring innovations from lab to market.

In addition, Jennifer serves as Instruction and Curriculum Lead for the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub, supporting the design and delivery of experiential entrepreneurship programming across the region. Leads curriculum development and works with partner institutions to ensure consistent, high-quality training in customer discovery and market validation. Also serves as an instructor for Northeast regional programming, working directly with research teams and founders at universities across the region to guide the transition from innovation to commercialization.

As an entrepreneur, she founded Jennifer Elizabeth Design Studio, a carded jewelry brand that partnered with national brands and subscription box companies to produce custom designs at scale. The company achieved national distribution, with products sold online and in over 150 retail locations across the U.S., and was featured in Connecticut Magazine and multiple gift guides.

Jennifer was selected to the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2021, the Connecticut Magazine's 40 Under 40 in 2023, the Hartford Business Journal's Top Women in Business in 2024, and named Community Builder of the Year as part of the CT Entrepreneur Awards in 2018.

Jennifer earned a B.A. in Psychology from UConn, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Springfield College, an Executive MBA from UConn, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing Strategy from UConn.