AFCEAN of the Month, September 2024
Kelly Jenne is a steadfast leader within the AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter and a passionate contributor to the public. Jenne currently serves as executive vice president to the Hampton Roads Chapter, having previously performed duties as Emerging Leaders president and IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) chair. In these roles, she has been exceptionally influential in defining actionable objectives, setting goals and achieving positive results for AFCEA’s vision of IDEA. Through initiative and outreach, Jenne wove IDEA values into the fabric of chapter activities, and she was awarded the 2024 AFCEA IDEA Hero Award at TechNet Cyber.
Jenne served as IDEA chair for three years at the local chapter. Professionally, she serves as the diversity director within Apex Systems, doubling her commitment and providing additional tools to support IDEA principles. Jenne practices what she preaches, encouraging all walks of life to engage and get involved. Her efforts have resulted in increased participation by women and people of color at chapter events. As a champion for inclusion, Jenne personally networks with people from traditionally underrepresented communities and limited socioeconomic resources. She engages them on an interpersonal level to promote volunteerism and share overall awareness of AFCEA. Jenne has also ensured that local chapter programs are representative of, and relevant to, a diverse population. She has also ensured that over half of the Hampton Roads Board of Directors are women in pursuit of equity.
To increase access, and in concert with her chapter’s goal to broaden academic outreach, Jenne launched an initiative to establish a student chapter at Norfolk State University (NSU). Leveraging previous success with Old Dominion University, she began this initiative reaching out to NSU officials to facilitate the inclusion of the largest HBCU in the region. With robust STEM and information technology curricula, NSU will further elevate IDEA imperatives.
Jenne is a working spouse and mother of four who is cherished for her kindness and cheerful nature. Community service is at Jenne’s core, volunteering countless hours for good causes in support of the disadvantaged. She actively volunteers for diverse charities, including Habitat for Humanity, animal shelters and lactation support groups. Jenne maintains a remarkable work-life balance that encompasses the enrichment of others within the IDEA construct. She’s a true IDEA Hero and a proven leader within AFCEA.
In recognition of her dedication to the chapter and the association, AFCEA is proud to name Kelly Jenne AFCEAN of the Month.
