Jen Keller
Volunteer, Events Committee

This month's spotlight is on a volunteer with heart, energy and devotion to learning.

Jen Keller joined ASTD in November 2004 and is glad she did! After moving here from Minnesota, Jen says that ASTD provided a supportive network and powerful way to connect with training and development professionals. “It’s been a great opportunity for me. Many people don’t take advantage because they think it will take too much time, but I’ve found it to be energizing and rewarding in every way.”

Jen jumped in with both feet after moving here, getting involved with planning the Northwest ALC Leaders Conference and with the Events Committee. And she has a real track record to boot, running the Twin Cities marathon twice as well as the Portland and Seattle marathons. She is currently training for the Boston Marathon. Jen is definitely someone who knows how finish a race!

After moving to Portland, the link for Jen to get involved in the community and meet people outside her immediate discipline was ASTD. “It was a great way to see what is available in the local T&D community and gave me a great chance to connect with people I would not have otherwise been able to connect with.” Jen says she really appreciates the supportive environment and chance to take advantage of all the learning opportunities while growing professionally and personally.

As the Director of Events, she is at the forefront of planning quality ASTD member programs with a strong background in education and a firm foothold in the business sector. Jen served as a VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) for Americorps, overseeing a tutoring program for grades K-3 that touched 7 schools and involved 35 volunteers to tutor kids. She loved the immediate results. “They were so young yet learned so quickly when given the opportunity. This surprised everybody!” Jen remarked that when these young minds were given attention and made to feel special, they were able to learn and grow at a surprising rate, “truly important elements whether you’re 5 or 60!”

Jen works as an Instructional Designer at Via Training and appreciates her new life in Portland. “I love the fact that you can be outside year round.” Prior to working at Via, Jen worked as an Instructional Designer for Banfield Pet Hospitals as well as an Instructional Technology Fellow at the University of Minnesota while completing her Masters of Education in Instructional Systems and Technology.

While cloudy skies may be the norm for Portland, we can count on Jen for a sunny sky attitude and a wealth of professional T&D skills in all that she does. It is a real asset to have Jen involved with program events!

You can contact Jen at jkeller@viatraining.com.

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