Posted on September 17, 2026
Each year, Central Pennsylvania’s leading business publication, the Central Penn Business Journal (CPBJ), announces it’s “Forty Under 40” award winners, recognizing the region’s emerging leaders under 40 who excel in their careers, give back to their communities, and are reinventing the local business landscape.
This year, for the first time, Penn-Mar’s Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Jenn Hobbs, was named an honoree of the award. But for anyone who works with Jenn, this comes as no surprise.
“What truly sets Jenn apart has always been her ability to deeply understand and share Penn-Mar’s ongoing mission,” says Kathy Rogers, Executive Director of the Penn-Mar Foundation, who hired Jenn in 2017. “Her work as an advocate for our mission and for inclusion of others is exceptional. Jenn is a leader people rely on and want to follow while being a great mentor to other emerging leaders at Penn-Mar and within the nonprofit space.”
Jenn joined the Penn-Mar team as an Associate Director of Development, but over the years, her vision, strategic leadership, and passion for our mission helped her grow into her current role as our Chief Development and Marketing Officer in 2025. Today, she leads efforts to secure critical resources, raise public awareness, and expand services that improve quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“No matter what role I have been called to do, the most important mission has been ensuring that the stories of the people we support are told in respectful, authentic, and powerful ways,” Jenn shares. “Whether I am advocating for disability inclusion and support, showcasing Penn-Mar’s growth and initiatives across two states, or leveraging philanthropy and public awareness to support our mission, the goal is to create a community in which every person has the agency to define their own future.”
Her commitment to service extends well beyond her office hours. Jenn serves on several nonprofit boards, including Action for Kindness and the Carroll Technology & Innovation Council. She also spends nearly every Saturday morning during the summer volunteering at the Hampstead Farmers Market to support local vendors and bring neighbors together.
For Jenn, building strong relationships is the foundation of real community change.
“I believe we all have the opportunity to leave our corner of the world better than we found it,” says Jenn. “The greatest catalyst for that impact is making sure the people we surround ourselves with inspire us, challenge our thinking, and help us grow.”
In her time at Penn-Mar, the organization has seen remarkable growth and achievement, supporting more people than ever before across two states. But along with the success, have come the inevitable obstacles. For Jenn, those challenges are just a natural step on the path toward something greater.
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from failure and setbacks is that they are always opportunities to learn and evolve,” Jenn reflects. “Some of my greatest personal and professional growth has come from challenges that didn’t go as planned, and those experiences have taught me that perseverance and perspective are more important than perfection.”