Jennifer Torres is the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. As the eldest of three sisters and the daughter of Spanish-dominant parents, she quickly became the family’s navigator, translator, and problem-solver. From an early age, she learned to navigate complex systems—ranging from healthcare and immigration to transportation and education—long before she realized she was developing the skills of an advocate. These experiences deepened her understanding of the pervasive barriers and inequities that exist in nearly every aspect of life. But no matter how many challenges came her way, one thing was certain: her family’s sacrifices to give her an education kept her moving forward. That determination led her to earn bachelor’s degrees in human rights and public policy and a master’s in dispute resolution.

Though she initially envisioned a career in international human rights after graduating from Southern Methodist University, Jennifer’s path shifted when she piloted a college advising program at a Title I school in Dallas ISD—and the rest is history. That experience ignited a passion for college access and higher education, shaping the trajectory of her career. Jennifer knows firsthand how transformative a postsecondary education can be for both students and their families, but she also recognizes that systemic challenges prevent many from accessing the same opportunities.

That’s why, for the past decade, she has worked to transform education systems, ensuring that students have the support they need to succeed. Her driving force? The hope that no student pursuing an education for a better future will ever feel as lost, afraid, or alone as she once did—a first-gen, eldest daughter navigating a maze of complex systems that weren’t built with people like her in mind.

Today, Jenny still calls Fort Worth home, where she lives with her husband and their two husky-mix “pups” (who, at 11 years old, might argue they’re well past the “pup” stage). She travels to Guatemala as often as she can to visit family and immerse herself in the culture, people, and food that bring her joy. She’s an avid—albeit slow—runner, a devoted fantasy reader, a Latin music fanatic (with a love for reggaeton, bachata, and Latin trap), and a repeat offender when it comes to rewatching her favorite TV shows and movies (New Girl, The Big Bang Theory, Jurassic Park, and The Mummy).