Holly Jensen lives and breathes community service. A senior community-relations manager at Fidelity Investments in Smithfield, Jensen manages the company’s sponsorship budget and involvement with nonprofit organizations.
But Jensen, 35, does more than authorize checks. She sits on the board of directors for WaterFire Providence and serves on the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island. In 2007, Jensen chaired WaterFire, brought the organization from a deficit to a surplus and led the creation of a formal five-year, strategic plan.
At Fidelity she developed the company’s Nonprofit Board Development Program. The program, in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation, trains individuals serving on nonprofit boards.
“It’s my job to develop opportunities to connect Fidelity to the community,” Jensen said.
Jensen said a new challenge awaits each day at Fidelity. One day it’s finding volunteer opportunities for Fidelity employees. The next day it is coordinating a message from the governor wishing employees the best on the company’s 10th anniversary of moving to Rhode Island.
Jensen has a personal passion for theater. An accomplished playwright, Jensen has seen four of her plays presented during the last four years. In 2008, the 14th annual Women’s Playwriting Festival at Perishable Theatre selected just three plays to present – including hers – from a pool of more than 190 entries from 14 countries.
She started writing poems and short stories as a child and about six years ago started writing a book. But Jensen said the details distracted her while the dialogue flowed. She soon realized she held the perfect interests for penning a play. Her plays today tackle challenging topics from the dangers of gangs to violence against teenage women.
“It’s a way I can make a difference … and help other people,” Jensen said. •
