Volunteer Profile
Jennifer Neal was born in Ottawa, the youngest of three girls, and moved to Oakville at the age of seven. With a short educational time in Toronto, Jennifer has been here in Oakville for over 50 years. She comes from a family of artists and designers who were excellent role models for hard work, the creative spirit, and volunteering in the community. Her father started his own window manufacturing company on Randal Street, and Jennifer remembers those early days when money was really tight. She remembers going to the plant with her father on school holidays when he moved the company to Toronto, and believes that it was there that her entrepreneurial spirit was born as she created patterns and designs with the aluminium extrusion pieces, ran errands for her father, and was probably a little nuisance to all!
Jennifer studied music and planned a personal career in classical singing. Her love of teaching others was stronger than the stage, and she spent many happy years teaching with the Halton Region Board of Education upon completing her studies at Toronto Teachers College. She did further studies in Psychology and Theology at night at York and McMaster Universities. She loved parenting and working with young people- teens in particular- so she was a natural fit for becoming a foster parent with The Children’s Aid Society, and then the Community Youth Programs. When she retired, she had a total of 17+ young people who had spent time with her and her son Dylan. Many still stay in touch with her today, along with their children and grandchildren! Her son Dylan inherited the artistic family gifts, but headed off in a new direction – acting. He has become very successful in that field, and can be seen in many film and television projects. Dylan is married to Becky, and they have two beautiful children.
In preparation for retirement from teaching school, Jennifer knew that she wanted to be a business owner. It would have to involve some aspect of teaching, but something that would introduce her to a new world of people. She found the perfect fit with a private tutoring business, and an Amway Global business. It was a “match made in heaven”! The networking aspect of Amway Global was new to Jennifer, but an exciting challenge. She found everyone so helpful – and patient – as she went through the learning curve necessary to run a business. When she was introduced to the Chamber of Commerce, it became a perfect avenue to meet other business owners in this wonderful community. Jennifer quickly became involved in committees, and at present, is a member of the Ambassador and Golf Committees. She is very impressed with the leadership of the Chamber, and all the hard work the staff and volunteers do for the business community of Oakville. Jennifer believes that the Chamber is the place to be for business introductions, support and help for new industry, and an opportunity for good friendships to be developed.
Jennifer Neal can be reached at
www.jenniferneal.ca
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