Meet Jennifer Korb | Executive Director, Mom, Wife, Community Connector, Proud Colorado Native

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Korb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The answer to this question is not something that might be considered a traditional value or principal. It has probably changed over time and through different seasons of life and yet the threads of inclusion have been present throughout. i value inclusion. I believe that we can build a world that is more inclusive than exclusive and more open than shut. Feels impossible some days. I think when we allow ourselves to be human first, we remind ourselves that we are actually more connected than we think. We have all seen and, hopefully, felt the power of being in community and how much we all need that in our lives.

Being the parent of two children one of which is a child with autism and an intellectual disability has given me deep understanding of the ways in which we are not there, yet. Watching my child with autism struggle through a world that is not build for brains like his and having to fight so hard for him to be seen and recognized for his strengths has fueled me. Fueled me to change the narrative of the places where I have influence. Fueled me to bring awareness and kindness through him and my other son. When you have a child with delayed speech, you come to know the power of words and how people can change the course by just speaking kindly to each other. I know how it feels to shift an entire trajectory of life when something unexpected and unasked for happens. I know how much we need people in our life when things are hard and life gets tricky. I also know the deep joy that comes from celebrating when life is good and having people around you to share in those moments. Imagine how different we could make our communities if we all took a moment to speak kindly and make space for people to belong just as they are.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am Colorado educated from preschool all the way through my post secondary degrees. I started my career right out of college as an elementary school teacher then moved into different positions and ended as an administrator. About a year and a half ago, I shifted careers away from 17 years in education to non-profit management.

Currently, I am the Executive Director of Autism Society of Colorado. This was not an easy change in direction and when I look back at the place I was in a couple of years ago, I cannot believe this is the same life. I had to dig deep and take a giant leap of faith away from everything I knew. I had to have a huge amount of trust in myself and a great career coach who drew out the pieces I needed to find in myself. Sometimes we need others to help us find the best parts of ourself and shine the light on the pieces we overlook. In the past year, the doors have opened wide on all kinds of opportunities that I never expected. Once again, I am reminded that the path set before us is not usually the path we have in our minds. Sometimes we have to get out of our own way to allow what is coming space to blossom and flourish.

My work at Autism Society is really about connection and seeing the ways where some slight adjustments can make places more accessible for everyone. We get to work all over the state helping people find the right connections for them so they can live their best lift. We get to partner with all kinds of business from sports teams to county fairs across Colorado to help create and educate about how some slight shifts in planning can create a far more inclusive space for people. Our newest venture with vaccine equity has given us the opportunity to educate our healthcare providers about the importance of sensory friendly options for people. We are doing great work and look forward to our expansion across Colorado.

My passion project right now is being a part of creating the first of its kind fully inclusive school that serves children from birth to grade 5. I have been a part of Bal Swan Children’s Center since my children were students there and now I lead the board that is working to make this dream a reality. We can’t wait to have this school built and dream big about where this might go.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I LOVE COLORADO! There is really no better place to live or visit. My very favorite place is our cabin in Grand Lake. My kids are the fourth generation to fall in love with the mountains, the lake and the feeling of being outside in a place that holds so many memories for our family. Definitely find our family bench on the corner of the lake and watch the sunset- it’s magic. When you have a child with a disability, finding places to visit and things to do as a family is hard. One of the things we can always do together is be outside or be in water. Luckily there is no shortage of amazing places to be outside here. Now that my life exists in the burbs, our restaurant selection is not what it used to be. I do love to get downtown with my girlfriends and try out all the new places near the city but don’t have a favorite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you to my husband and my boys who push me everyday to create spaces and places that they can show up and feel included and seen for who they are. Thank you to the strong and powerful women in my life who cheer for me, celebrate my wins, call me on my BS and love me all the time. Thank you to my village of support- I could not do this without you. Thank you to the parents of children with special needs who have come before me to make the path a little less rocky for my children. I hope I am carrying the load for those that will come behind me.

Website: autismcolorado.org and balswan.org

Instagram: @autismcolorado

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-korb-546a9b75/

Facebook: @autismcolorado