Dr. Michael Wierda
Jennifer Day lives and breathes the Great Lakes. A veteran communicator of Great Lakes science, Jennifer Day has spent more than three decades translating important Great Lakes science to local communities, the region and the world. She began her career teaching science to children and adults as part of the exhibit team at Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry. After working with many clients in public relations and marking agencies, she followed her passion of serving society through government service first with the Ohio EPA working on the Great Lakes and state-wide surface water issues. Her love of the Great Lakes moved her to the International Joint Commission and communicating to citizens of the region on work and progress between the United States and Canada on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. She finished her federal career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration serving in roles that directed both internal and external partnerships NOAA and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
Jennifer is an award-winning, nationally recognized, professional communicator. She has received multiple awards including a Telly Award for a video about NOAA’s work in the Great Lakes; the Robert Hefty Distinguished Service Award from the Detroit Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) recognizing her outstanding professional service; the Lloyd B. Dennis Distinguished Service Award from the PRSA Public Affairs and Government Section; and served on the national board of directors of PRSA.
Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Otterbein University and a master’s degree in environmental policy and planning from the University of Michigan.