Jean Jensen
Member, The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
State Advisory Board
Jean Jensen served as Deputy, then Secretary of the State Board of Elections from 2001 to 2007, appointed by Governor Mark Warner. During her time of service, she had the unique opportunity to initiate the implementation of the mandates of the federal Help America Vote Act that allocated $60 million to improve the electoral process in Virginia. In 2008, Ms. Jensen traveled to Pakistan as a member of a US delegation to observe the historic February elections.
Prior to her appointments, Ms. Jensen held administrative and political positions including Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia, President and Executive Director of a national women’s political organization, and Legislative Aide to two members of the General Assembly. Ms. Jensen worked as a fundraiser for Congressional, House of Delegates and State Senate campaigns. She held senior staff positions on three statewide campaigns.
She also served as a guest speaker and panelist for the U.S.I.A. WorldNet Broadcasts to American Embassies in Dhaka, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Managua and Caracas discussing “Grassroots Politics in the US” and “Volunteerism in the US.”
Ms. Jensen was a member of the Sorensen Political Leadership Program class of 1996. She frequently teaches a class on campaign fundraising to the Sorensen’s Candidate Training program. In 2006, Ms. Jensen received the Sorensen Expression of Ideals Award presented to the alumna who best represents the Institute’s ideals of ethics, bi-partisanship, and civic engagement.
