An active speaker, writer, musician, and community organizer, Jennifer DeLeon holds an MA in Theological Studies from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a BA with a concentration in Leadership and Non-Profit Management from DePaul University. Currently, Jennifer is the Director for Justice for Women of the ELCA where she assists the organization in advocating for the oppressed and voiceless and urging change in systems and structures that exclude and alienate women in the world and in the church.
Jennifer is also a member of Trinidad Lutheran Church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago where she volunteers as the lay administrator. In this role, she preaches, coordinates worship and outreach opportunities for the congregation including a monthly community meal. In September of 2019, The Latino Association of the ELCA (Asociación Ministerios Latinos E.L.C.A.) elected Jennifer to serve as president. The association supports the Latino Lutheran community by helping the ELCA achieve a greater understanding of the cultural diversity of Latinos, promoting Latino Christian values, and helping the church recruit and support pastors and lay leaders for Latino ministry.
Previously, Jennifer served for 12 years at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) as the Director of Government Relations and Advocacy where she identified and tracked legislation important to LSSI and the ELCA; led advocacy events and strengthened coalitions and developed relationships and testified at legislative hearings. Prior to serving with LSSI, she was a community organizer for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association in Chicago working on affordable housing, immigration and youth issues. Jennifer began her community organizing work by teaching English as a second language and managing a citizenship program for Erie Neighborhood house.
Jennifer is the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and lives in Chicago. She is bilingual and bicultural, fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in Portuguese.