iRelaunch Team Spotlight: Jennifer Howland

Hello!  My name is Jennifer Howland and I had the privilege of joining iRelaunch in March 2020 as Managing Director.   Prior to joining iRelaunch, I had a fulfilling 35-year career at IBM from which I retired at the end of 2019.  One might wonder how an engineer, manager and corporate executive became part of the iRelaunch team.  While at IBM I had the opportunity to work closely with iRelaunch when I was creating and expanding IBM’s Tech Re-Entry program.  I was in awe of their mission and deeply respected their Chair and Co-Founder, Carol Fishman Cohen.  That’s why when a knock on my door came to join the iRelaunch team I flew the door wide open, cutting my retirement short, and began my next chapter.  I am very happy I did!  I am thrilled to be able to translate my past corporate experiences into helping companies create thriving return to work programs of their own all while working with an amazing team of passionate co-workers.   

I live in the beautiful Mid-Hudson Valley of New York with my partner, Ken.  There I raised my two daughters and was an enthusiastic soccer, lacrosse and softball mom.  I am proud of the talented, successful and happy adult women they have become.  Although they have moved away, I love when we are able to spend time together.  They caught my travel bug which makes them always up for an adventure.   We’ve created memories in faraway places, like being on safari in Africa, sleeping in a tree house in Belize, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, helicoptering to the top of a glacier in New Zealand and exploring Europe.  We’ve also enjoyed traveling in our own backyard, visiting new cities, landmarks and national parks across the USA. 

My roots are in the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains of New York where the seed for my love of the outdoors was planted as a young girl with my ‘North County’ relatives – from outdoor picnics in the woods to skiing (downhill and X-county), snowshoeing, ice skating, walking, hiking, backpacking, camping, sailing, waterskiing, etc. The hiking and backpacking seed took a while to take root but it eventually not only grew, it flourished. In September of 2013, shortly before my 50th birthday, I climbed my final high peak to became an ‘Adirondack 46er’, which is someone who has climbed the 46 highest Adirondack mountains. I am currently enjoying the challenge of climbing the highest mountains in the Catskills.

In addition to my love of the outdoors, I enjoy reading, singing in my church choir (pre-COVID), gardening, cooking healthy meals, baking sometimes not so healthy food, yoga, knitting and playing the piano. I also have been enjoying the change in my work environment, going from a corporate office and travel to the convenience of working from my home office. In the nicer weather I am fortunate to be able to work outside as much as possible on my patio.

I have already had the opportunity to do some meaningful, exciting work and, in the process, have met wonderful new people (although virtually due to COVID). I am looking forward to what the future brings with this exciting new journey!