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Jennifer Blatz
President and CEO
Jennifer Blatz serves as president and CEO for StriveTogether, where she oversees the organization’s operations and strategy for accelerating the progress of cradle-to-career partnerships to change systems and improve outcomes for kids.
Prior to her work with StriveTogether, Jennifer helped to launch StrivePartnership, a cross-sector, cradle-to-career partnership serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and one of the most notable collective impact initiatives in the country. As StrivePartnership’s director of operations, Jennifer helped translate the lessons from the work on the ground in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and other communities across the country to launch the national Cradle to Career Network.
Drawing upon her passion for improving educational outcomes for underserved populations, Jennifer has made her career in the social sector. This includes serving as executive director of the Ohio College Access Network and supporting the growth of the National College Access Network. She also was program officer for College & Career Access at KnowledgeWorks, where she managed a portfolio of initiatives focused on improving postsecondary attainment.
Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in English from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Miami University. She has been an active community volunteer through her participation in the Junior League of Cincinnati and as a mentor for a Cincinnati Public Schools student. Jennifer has been named a YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Rising Star and one of Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Forty Under 40.” She is a graduate of United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Volunteer Leadership Development Program, is a member of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s WE Lead Class 10 and recently completed the Billions Institute Skid Row School for Large-scale Change. Jennifer lives in Northern Kentucky with her husband and three young children.
About Jennifer
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher. I played school with my stuffed animals all the time!
Who was your favorite teacher in school?
I had many wonderful teachers, but my favorite and the most influential was Mrs. Challis, my high school advanced placement English teacher. She instilled in me the importance of good writing skills and inspired me to read the classics, both of which have proven to be assets throughout my career.
What is your favorite memory as a student?
Helping to launch our student newscast and anchoring the news.
What’s something you’ve learned as an adult?
The value of good math skills.
What is your favorite place to take a vacation?
Anywhere I can sit on a beach for hours and read a good book!
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