Name
Jennifer Sistrunk
Company/Organization
South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
The South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau is responsible for destination development and marketing in South Haven, Van Buren County, and Casco Township.
Age
37
Accomplishments
As the Director of the South Haven Visitors Bureau, I have been involved in multiple destination development projects and headed several community events.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
My goal for the next three years is to continue being an active member of my community and complete several ongoing destination development projects.
Education
Studied Graphic Design at Lake Michigan College and Communication Design at Harrington College of Design in Chicago, IL.
What Town Do You Reside In?
South Haven
Where were you born?
Arkansas
What was your first job?
My first job was as a car hop at 50’s Drive-In in South Haven.
Best advice you ever got?
The best advice I ever received was if you drop the ball, be sure it is made of rubber so you can bounce back.
Who inspires you most?
The amazing women leaders in my life inspire me the most.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I am the most extroverted introvert you will ever meet.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
During my free time, I love taking spontaneous road trips and going on adventures with my husband.
What book are you reading now?
I am currently reading Spare, by Prince Harry.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I enjoy volunteering at the blueberry pie eating contest during South Haven’s Blueberry Festival.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I believe giving back to your community is a responsibility we all have. Everyone can do something to help their community thrive.
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
Time traveling would be an excellent superpower – there are so many people I would love to meet.
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would like to be the first at something. Whether that is the first woman, person of color, or something else, I’d like to be an inspiration to someone.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Given my background, statistically speaking, I was highly unlikely to have achieved my current career status. Being named to the 40 Under 40 list reassures me that all my hard work is paying off, and inspires me to keep going.
