#nexusinterviews with Jennifer Shea

Already back to school! Everyone is getting back to normal, going away from the more relaxed summer mood. Yet, there are some people that their job is not stopping ever. And they are thankful for that! Because they do not just work, they serve our society.

This is the case about Jennifer Shea, another member of our board. A native of Huntsville, she graduated from the University of Alabamacum laude in 2006 and immediately began clerking for a federal bankruptcy judge.

Her job? She helps individuals rebuild their financial lives through financial education, consumer debt legal protections, and bankruptcy laws when applicable. She runs a private practice in her hometown, works on grant proposals, and is a registered Foreclosure Mediator with the Alabama Center of Dispute Resolution.

I knew this would be another great interview!

When I asked about her favorite motto, her instant reaction was “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?”, used by John Wooden! At that moment, the next question just slipped out from my mouth: Please, share with me a story when you have failed in your life. I felt that I have so much to learn from someone that is taking every responsibility to do things right.

She smiled at me.

If you are not failing, you are not trying anything new, not growing and learning.  I try to fail at something everyday.

Of course I was eager to know where do people like Jennifer hang out in Huntsville. What are they curious about, what is it that inspires them and makes them have a good time. As it turns out, Lowe Mill is her favorite place in Huntsville.

“If you have ever been to any of the Concert on the Docks, you will see why Lowe Mill is so special: It brings together so many diverse groups of people. Lowe Mill also speaks to the environmentalist in me as an old, abandoned factory has become the largest privately owned arts facility in the country. It is an amazing story.

So, Jennifer, I said almost sad that we were reaching the last question of our interview: “a person with pro environment thinking, a person in the service of so many other people, someone that believes in unity and coming together of people, what is a person like you dream about Alabama and the USA?”

……….

……….My biggest dream about Alabama and the USA is that education will become a priority and the rising tide of anti-intellectualism will disappear.

Until next time Jennifer..

Thank you for an inspiring conversation!