Jennifer van Valkenburg

Jennifer Van Valkenburg is an accomplished leader in the nonprofit sector, currently serving as President & CEO of Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance since May 2018. In addition to this role, Jennifer has been a member of The Economic Club of Chicago since May 2023, where efforts focus on fostering connections among leaders to address critical economic and social issues. Prior experience includes holding positions such as VP of Philanthropy at Openlands, VP of Institutional Advancement at the Chicago Architecture Center, and Senior Director of Member and Donor Relations at the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Early in Jennifer's career, grant writing was conducted at Midwestern University. Academically, Jennifer obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Alabama and a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature, along with Political Science, from Illinois State University.