Name
Jennifer Mitchell
Company/Organization
JohnsonRauhoff
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
Founded in 1969, JR is a full-service strategic content agency that additionally offers the capabilities of a full-scale commercial photography & video production studio. As the ultimate strategic partner for brands, we live to disrupt the status quo with creative work that drives results—results fueled by strategic insights and innovative tech solutions that build powerful connections between people and brands.
Age
33
Accomplishments
- Member of the Women’s Service League for nine years, serving on the executive board for five years.
- Wrote an award-winning proposal in 2018 to speak at a technical communications conference about changes to ADA requirements and regulations.
- Helped grow a JohnsonRauhoff account by 33% in my first year on it by suggesting and implementing new efficiencies.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I hope to keep growing as a professional by taking on new and different kinds of projects at JR that will expand my skill set and deepen my expertise. Also, I want to continue serving our community—through the Women’s Service League, and perhaps volunteering with other organizations—to help make this a better place and myself an even more invested contributor.
Education
Journalism, Central Michigan University
Residence
Stevensville, MI
Where were you born?
Berrien Center, MI
What was your first job?
Subway in St. Joseph, MI
Best advice you ever got?
Learn your own limits. As a working mother, I’ve found it’s hard to always say “yes” and then do everything at 100%. So I have to recognize my own capacity, my own limits and obey that. For me, “learn your limits” was difficult advice to take. But I’ve taken it to heart, and it makes life a lot happier and more peaceful.
Who inspires you most?
This is always changing, however, the constant has always been Jesus.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I pick out my two boys’ clothes and my own outfits a week in advance.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
- With both my husband and me working full-time and my husband also taking classes full-time towards his master’s degree, my downtime is fairly limited. I like to spend it mostly with my family. And during the summer, that’s often out by the pool.
- I also love binge-watching a good TV series.
- And making homemade Kombucha.
What book are you reading now?
“Braving the Wilderness” by Brené Brown (for the second time).
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I have volunteered at Voices on the Veranda for the Children’s Advocacy Center ever since their first event was held. This event is the highlight of my volunteer time each year. Those women are doing amazing things for this community.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I love this community—I am in awe every time I see people standing together to make this community a better place. The people I’ve met here over the years inspire me to join them in making this community an even better place, one that keeps on improving during our time living here. It really does take a village. My boys are growing up in this community, so of course, I want to help make it an even better place! That seems like a no-brainer to me.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Bilocation—meaning, I’d love to be able to be in two places at once. This would go a long way toward making my life easier as a full-time working mom.
What has been the most eye-opening thing about the coronavirus pandemic for you, personally?
I’ve been really impressed by how people have pulled together when they need to. I’m on the executive board of the Women’s Service League, and we chipped in by raising funds to bring meals to workers on the front lines and to organizations that needed help. It was good to see restaurants and businesses helping out as well. That was really heart-warming and inspiring to me—seeing businesses that were themselves hurt by the pandemic nevertheless stepping up to help their neighbors. I think that says a lot about what a great, caring community we live in.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
I am truly humbled to be included in this year’s “40 under 40.” There were so many amazing recipients over the past two years, and on this year’s list, too. I’m honored to be in this company. Thank you.
