August 2006
CONTACT: WomenCARE: (831) 457-2273

Jean T. Conger joins WomenCARE with more than 20 years as a successful executive director, fundraiser, planner and volunteer in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Delaware. Her specialty is helping organizations grow in fund raising, program services and operational effectiveness. Born and educated in New York, Jean launched her professional career as a public school teacher on Long Island. She and her family moved to Delaware, where she taught for 6 years before serving as principal of two elementary schools in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 1970 she joined the National Organization for Women and held local, state and national leadership positions while she continued to teach and earn her Masters degree in Educational Administration. In 1979 she was tapped to serve in Washington, D.C., campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment throughout the country for the next three years.

In 1982, Jean moved to Los Angeles and held positions as executive director of a women’s membership organization, director of administration and development of a private nonprofit special education school, and executive director of the Los Angeles Women’s Foundation. She was a founding member of the California Nonprofit Policy Council, working to secure public and legislative recognition of the contributions of the nonprofit sector in the State of California. Jean also taught community planning at the Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA).

After 14 years in non-profit work in Los Angeles, Jean moved to Maui, and served as Development Director of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center from 1997-1999. In 1999 she started J/C Consulting Group and worked with scores of organizations in board training, strategic planning and fund development. She has first-hand knowledge of the role of board member and officer: she served on the board of Caring for Babies with AIDS in Los Angeles and Friends of Moku`ula in Hawaii. Jean was also a member of the board of the Aloha Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Jean feels that her career has come full circle with WomenCARE. “I am proud to be part of an organization whose mission and values empower women at a difficult time in their lives. WomenCARE offers compassion and support with respect for personal choice.” Jean resides in Willow Glen with Lauren Jardine, her partner of 22 years.