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Breaking silences, one story at a time.

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Speaking

I give customized and engaging talks to help your organization explore identity, diversity and inclusion, and self-expression. Through storytelling, spoken word and facilitation, I invite audiences to see and embrace their multi-layered stories.

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Conference Storytelling

I weave together key conference themes and write a summative spoken word piece that is performed at your conference finale. This is a powerful way to unite participants in a common vision and end with a strong call to action.

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Workshops

I offer writing and spoken word workshops exploring diversity, self-expression and telling your personal story. I hold challenging conversations with care, and provide helpful tools to empower you to find your voice through storytelling.

 

Latest Talks and Interviews

Featured On

 
“It’s rare that a speaker can connect with audiences on multiple levels, but Jenna did exactly that. She will not disappoint.”
— David Leonard, The Walrus Foundation
“Passionate. Engaging. Inspired. This is how I’d describe Jenna’s contributions to the inaugural CKX Summit. ”
— Lee Rose, Community Knowledge Exchange (CKX)
“Jenna’s ability to cultivate environments where people can access their own story, in their many dimensions, is a powerful tool in the journey of reconciliation with self and others.”
— Wendy Gritter, Generous Space Ministries
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I want to help you tell your conference story.

Follow me on Instagram.

Thank you Mary Oliver for the beauty and wonder you have brought into this world, as well as into my life. I have been deeply moved by the simplicity of your words, appreciation for the little moments in life and so much heart. . Counting leaves on a single tree. Noticing a cricket or grasshopper. Sitting in stillness, silence or prayer. . Like you, I brought a little more noticing today — the aliveness of naked branches, leaving smiles in the snow and stopping at @studiomikafleur on Dundas, my new favourite plant store. I bought this peperomia plant, which I call pepperoni so I can remember hehe (and also ran into someone I used to coach in softball!) . My pepperoni plant makes me smile, reflect and sit in gratitude, reminding me of you and your words. Our world is a better place because you were in it. . . . Song of the Builders by Mary Oliver On a summer morning I sat down on a hillside to think about God – a worthy pastime. Near me, I saw a single cricket; it was moving the grains of the hillside this way and that way. How great was its energy, how humble its effort. Let us hope it will always be like this, each of us going on in our inexplicable ways building the universe.
I've been doing some tidying up (thanks @mariekondo) and found this photo of 17-year-old Jenna meeting jazz legend, Oscar Peterson. How did this happen you may ask? . My best friend, @palensjac, casually knocked on his door and asked him (and my piano teacher) to sign a blown-up framed photo of me playing the piano. It's still one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. . I followed up with appreciation and asked if I could thank him in person. His wife arranged for me to come over for a little visit. . I spent an hour with him at his house and he was one of the gentlest and kindest souls I've ever met. He was genuinely interested in my life and asked me questions about myself and music. . I told him that I heard a recording of Sweet Lorraine and noticed that he sounded a lot like Nat King Cole. He said, "Funny story... Did you know that Nat was an incredible pianist?" I replied no and went home to look up Nat King Cole on the keys (go do that right now!) . Then he told me they made a pact. Nat wouldn't play the piano publicly if Oscar didn't sing. I was blown away, seeing the niches they carved out for themselves by focusing on one of their many gifts. . As we made our way to the piano and I stared in awe at several awards on his mantle (including a Grammy!), I told him I wish I could play jazz. I sounded like a classical pianist who tried to play jazz, and just finished my Grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music exam (which was a miracle). He said I could come over if I wanted to learn how to play and he'd give me some tips. . Unfortunately, I didn't take him up on his offer as I went away to university. He would pass away a few years later, but I'm grateful for that one hour and the chance to meet a jazz legend.
It has been several months since I’ve been able to bike, almost missing my favourite season to explore the city on bike. I’m glad the knee and ankle held up for a gorgeous December day to be by the water and High Park!
A full day of workshops for 300 @girlguidesofcanada leaders this past weekend on supporting LGBTQ+ communities at Girl Guides. It was wonderful to see the dialogue, questions and desire to learn on creating safer spaces for queer, trans and non-binary members in a gendered organization. . There are many spaces and institutions that want to erase and silence us, including the Ontario government (which came up in our session on Saturday). But we are here and will not be silenced, and will continue fighting to be seen in our wholeness and power.