San Diego

CalSAC, Director of STRATEGIC Partnerships

Board Member | 2018-2021

LDI Fellow | 2016

Jennifer Merrill has worked with CalSAC since 2022. She prides herself on being a cause-driven leader who continually advocates for youth development and social responsibility. She sees herself as a lifelong learner who wants to initiate positive change in youth and the world. Jennifer shares the following about the impact of CalSAC’s LDI:

“I remember being a child, and passionately thinking about my dreams in the most innocent fashion. I would sit on my porch, deep in thought, and visualize all the things that I wanted to become - a doctor, an architect, a ballerina - not realizing at the time that adults pursue one career path.  When you’re a child you imagine life in the most fascinating way! Everything is easy, everything is attainable, and everything is sugar-coated in positivity.”

“Before joining LDI, my progress, focus, and professional movement were stunted. I lost sight of my value, my purpose, and my goals.  The program helped me reach a point of resolution that I couldn’t find for years on my own.”

 “Participating in the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) has helped me develop a clear vision of what I want to achieve. Some of my aspirations are short-term, and some are long-term. All, however, shape the person I ultimately want to become. At this point in my life, I’m ready to come into my own and live to be my true authentic self.  I have fought through personal struggles, worked through obstructions, and have been victim to losing my faith; today I’m excited to be in the true grace of God, and on the path to living my purpose."