With her husband Michael Messner, Jenny established the Speedwell Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship Program with AFS-USA in 2007, which ran for 12 years. The Speedwell Foundation also supports the causes of inner-city education, scholarships at colleges and universities, and urban green space.
Prior to co-founding the Speedwell Foundation, she co-founded Transportation Data Inc. and worked as an International Credit Officer at the Bank of New England. She earned her B.A. in international relations at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jenny has previously served as a board member for AFS-USA, and her daughter Rebecca is an AFS Returnee, U.S. to Italy 2001.
Jenny has served on the board of directors of the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation, where she and her foundation provide study abroad opportunities for midshipmen.
Jenny and Mike have three children, seven grandchildren, and are based in Atlanta, Georgia.
