WWP is excited to welcome Jenny Ma who began her employment as Program Coordinator on August 9, 2022. In this newly created position, Jenny will coordinate WWP’s various projects and programs including developing multiple project plans and identifying where and how these plans intersect and connect. She will also track progress to project and program goals. Jenny brings a wide range of skills and experience to WWP. A native of Lynwood, Washington, she attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Literature. After graduation, she served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Georgia. Jenny was motivated to join the Peace Corps because she wanted to explore other cultures and languages and work at a grassroots level – directly with the people she was serving. She was in Georgia for two years.

Upon returning to Washington after her Peace Corps service, Jenny was a tutor, worked with youth, and became a Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist. She was eager to explore the medical field but soon realized it was not a good fit for her because her passion is grassroots community service. This passion led her to the Willamette Valley when she accepted an AmeriCorps VISTA position at the Idea Hub in Independence, Oregon.

It was at the Idea Hub where Jenny met Ami Maceira, WWP’s Program Director, and Dean Craig, WWP’s Business Services Director. The Hub received state funding from WWP and Jenny helped implement the funded project. So impressed with her work, Jenny was invited to interview for the Program Coordinator position and ultimately was selected.

Jenny says the most exciting part of her new position is getting to learn about the workforce system at the local, state, and federal levels. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys hiking, especially at Silver Falls, and visiting the many wineries in the Mid-Valley.



Please join us in welcoming Jenny. She can be reached at jma@willwp.org.