She’s like air — everywhere at once. She has a brilliant smile, a calm facade and is constantly upbeat. What else is Jennifer Powell? Well, she’s a Springsteen super fan with an interest in synchronized swimming, and spent a lifetime in corporate America as an organizational and leadership developer before moving to the Keys, specifically to work at Dolphin Research Center.
Probably the best way to describe Jennifer is to use her life motto: Live a life of adventure. Be courageous, and help others find their courage. Be a light, and help others find their way.
Your full name: Jennifer Joan Powell
Where were you born? Erie, Pennsylvania.
What was your first career? After studying at Edinboro University and Slippery Rock University, I received a degree in health and physical science. I spent six years teaching middle school P.E. (Later I would get a masters in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University.)
Then what? For the biggest part of my professional career, I spent time working for Westinghouse Electric, the Weather Channel and Aetna in Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia. I had roles in organizational development and leadership development. Basically I was transitioning those companies to team-based leadership instead of the traditional corporate structure.
What was the hardest part? Often, I was coaching my bosses. That could be daunting. But we also talked about improving business results. It’s not just about the feel-good stuff, it’s about the bottom line. Team leadership doesn’t work unless the bosses embrace it; the practice filters through the company from top to bottom.
What makes a good team leader? Someone who can accept they don’t have to be an expert in the subject matter, but knows how to get the best out of people.
What makes a good team player? Someone who understands that everyone needs to play to their strengths, and that it’s good to have different opinions and have different perspectives.
How did you come to the Keys? I discovered the Dolphin Research Center in 1989. In 2000, I made a plan to move to the Florida Keys. In 2005 I moved here. I spent more than 7 years working at DRC in the education department. I was a “Flipper” kid. Dolphin is definitely my spirit animal.
How many times have you retired? Twice. My friends tell me they think I don’t know the meaning. I tell them, I’ll keep doing it until I get it right. Up until COVID-19, I was a tour guide taking groups to places like Cuba.
How are you keeping yourself busy during quarantine? I took some tour operator classes. I am taking other classes to become a certified master naturalist. And playing with my two rescue cats, a brother and sister, named Inky and Amelia.
And now? Well, I work part time at The Turtle Hospital and volunteer as a tour guide at Pigeon Key. Recently, I became involved with the Star of the Sea food pantry, which I connected with through my work with MERC (Monroe Emergency Reserve Corps.) It gives me something to do. (No, Jennifer, that gives you ANOTHER thing to do!)
And last but not least, you’re involved as the chair board for the Domestica Abuse Shelter, right? Oh, yes. I’ve been on the board since 2010 and president since 2015, along with all of my other volunteer stuff. Right now, we’re trying to raise the $2 million needed to rebuild our main facility damaged in Hurricane Irma. It’s just a terrible time to raise money.
What 20-second anecdote would you share with Alex Trebek on your first “Jeopardy” appearance? I guess it would be about the summer of 2017 I spent in Alaska as a combination deckhand and naturalist on whale watching boat excursions. It was very physical work and I had to learn how to tie knots. I was the oldest crew member, 67 at the time, and working 10-12 hours a day alongside 20-somethings.
What do you watch on TV? All the crime shows and documentaries. I recommend “Outcry” on Showtime, about a teenager falsely accused of child molestation.
What’s the most used device in your kitchen? My Magic Bullet blender for making the morning smoothie.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan and have probably been to more than a dozen concerts. One of those was in Helsinki, Finland. It was a side trip from the 2012 Olympics in London two months after I had heart surgery.
Heart surgery? I kept telling my doctors that I had tickets to the Olympics and that I had to be well by then. And I was.
What did you see at the Olympics? I had tickets to the synchronized swimming event (I competed in college), badminton and volleyball.
What’s left on your bucket list? Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.
