Terre Haute, Ind. - Emerging Leaders Project, Inc. announced the 2018-2019 class, including Rockville native Jenn Kersey. The only Emerging Leader recognized in West Central Indiana this year, Kersey currently serves as chief operating officer at RJL Solutions in Terre Haute.
“Jenn’s eagerness to give back to West Central Indiana has been proven in her work but I’m proud to see her take the next step in advancing the community at the state level,” states Rachel Leslie, partner at RJL Solutions. Leslie attended the conservative-based leadership program, Indiana Leadership Forum, in 2014-15. She encourages young professionals, regardless of party politics, to engage in public policy.
A stand-alone, non-profit organization, the Emerging Leaders Project offers free training to select young Hoosier Democratic leaders who have an interest in running for office or working on campaigns. Each year up to 40 young men and women, who are between the ages of 21 to 40, are selected by the Emerging Leaders Project Board from a pool of hundreds of applicants from across the state.
“I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent West Central Indiana in this state-wide leadership development program,” states Kersey. “I look forward to meeting the other cohort members and learning more about their regions. I believe the connectivity with other leaders across the state will advance initiatives and opportunities we have at a faster rate.”
Now in its sixth year, the partnership between the Indiana Democratic Party and the Emerging Leaders Project has produced dozens of elected officials, party leaders and activists.
“I applied to the emerging leaders project because I want to connect with others who are also eager to engage more in public policy, public service and community development initiatives,” states Kersey.
Jenn Kersey holds a Master of Leadership Development degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Kinesiology from Purdue University. She served as Executive Director for the Vigo County YMCA, and prior to that she worked for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as the Director of Events and Strategic Programs.
Kersey currently serves as a committee member for the Parke County Community Foundation, where she has volunteered on several committees, including the Board of Directors, since 2007. She has also been a member of Better Health Wabash Valley since 2014, where she enjoys collaborating with other organizations in the Wabash Valley that have the same passion for healthy living. Kersey also sits on the Community Advisory Council for Foundation for Autism Resources where she assists with outreach, planning and fundraising efforts. As an autism advocate, Kersey’s efforts include working with state legislators to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to those who are on the autism spectrum.
In her capacity at RJL Solutions, Jenn has an external role in the community, cultivating leadership in organizations so that they may seek partners, influence decisions, and empower others. Fostering a sense of achievement, she works with organizations so that they may be intentional in collaboration, leadership, and advocacy – the three pillars of RJL Solutions.
While she enjoys her work as a professional and a volunteer in the community, she loves the gift of being a mother to sons Couper and James, and sharing that responsibility with her husband, Kyle. They reside in Parke County where Kyle is Principal of Riverton Parke Jr. and Sr. High School for Southwest Parke Community School Corporation.
For the complete Emerging Leaders Project 2018-19 class list, please visit http://www.indems.org/announcing-the-2018-19-emerging-leaders-project-class/.
