You don't often get emails saying, "I was going to backpack around Europe before heading off to Columbia to get my MBA, but I thought Noonday could use some of my skills in Africa instead?" This was the email I got from Jennifer McCaleb. I first met Jennifer when she was about 5 years old! Her mom Teresa, with 4 young kids at the time, decided to take a trip to Kenya to serve there, and I was the only teenager on the trip with her! It so crazy to now be in the season where Jennifer's mom was at the time. I appreciate Teresa's sacrifice more, and I now get to receive the benefit of the impact going to Africa had on her daughter! Moms- yes you CAN go to Africa no matter what season you are in.... and influence your kids while doing it!

Jennifer spent the last six years working in New York City and Europe for an investment bank and is taking the summer off before starting business school in the fall.  Her long-term goal is to run the operations of a mission-based organization, and she has had a heart for the people of East Africa since a young age.

When considering her free time this summer, Jennifer reflected on opportunities she could not pursue while working in a cube.  After realizing a European backpacking trip was not close to her heart, one of the first things that came to mind was volunteering with an organization focusing on community development.  Last year Jennifer and her mom hosted a Noonday trunk show, and Jennifer has loved watching the company grow.  Jennifer appreciates Noonday's commitment to empowering local artisans and helping them build sustainable businesses.  She also has a passion for adoption, as many members of her own family were adopted, so Noonday's secondary mission supporting adoptive parents financially also resonated with Jennifer.  Jennifer reached out to Jessica and Travis to consider a partnership for the summer, and the rest happened quickly!

The artisans have graciously invited Jennifer to join them for a few weeks to learn more about the business they have developed and share ideas about increasing their production.  With her education in Community and International Development and her experience facilitating change and managing processes, Jennifer hopes to support African Style in continuing to produce their high quality products while meeting growing demand.  African Style has seen their orders quadruple in just the past six months!

Jennifer is thrilled to be returning to Uganda and looks forward to sharing what she learned from the artisans there.  Perhaps she'll even get a sneak peek at the fall line! Thank you Jennifer! We hope this beats any sort of European backpack adventure!