Jennifer Brizzolara

Jennifer Brizzolara

Following the birth of her son in 1998, Jennifer decided leave a ten-year career successfully marketing products and services at three Chicago-based Fortune 500 companies. At that time, Jennifer chose to harness her creative energy by providing strategic marketing consulting services for small start-up businesses and later by building a web-based business which she ran at home between soccer practices, swim lessons, and playdates. These self-employment opportunities allowed Jennifer the luxury of staying actively involved in the daily lives of her two children while they were little and still connecting with work via a completely self-directed, flexible schedule.

In 2009, after both children were in school full time, Jennifer decided it was time to revitalize her corporate marketing career and joined Sara Lee as part of Returnships@Sara LeeSM - Sara Lee's initiative to attract, recruit, and retain experienced professionals who have taken a break from their careers. As Brand Manager - Value Improvement, Jennifer is responsible for streamlining product mix, creating portfolio value, and repositioning products for growth across the Foodservice Bakery business unit. She loves being back in the thick of things and coming home some nights to find her husband has just put dinner on the table (something she never quite excelled at)!

Jennifer received an MBA from Northwestern and a BA from the University of Michigan. She spent her previous working years in product/brand management and new product development roles with Ameritech, Citicorp/Diner's Club, and BP Amoco Corporation before deciding to strike out on her own. In addition, Jennifer spent a number of years volunteering at her children's school and her parish women's organization, and serving on the Executive Board of the Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society, a charitable organization providing aid for children in need.