YLS Member Spotlight: Jenna Hamer

Meet Young Leaders Society (YLS) member, Jenna Hamer. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a recruiter for Hibu. I have worked with them for nine years (crazy, right?!). I started in Training and Development, and then moved into a recruiting role. I love getting to meet people in our community and prospective new members as they look for the perfect career.

I love to be outdoors! I enjoy gardening, fishing, hiking, and being on the water. I recently purchased my first “adult” bike from a local shop downtown, and I'm excited to explore all the trails in the Corridor this summer.

I have a dog named Franny and two cats, Henri and Frankie. I also have a nephew, Hunter, who is the coolest kid I know!

What's your favorite part of working in the Corridor?

Our office recently moved to downtown Cedar Rapids, and I love it! The atmosphere is great. My coworkers and I love to try new restaurants and take breaks walking the river trail. There is an energy downtown with a mix of history, modern buildings, and people from all walks of life. It’s great to see everything come together.

What is a secret skill you have?

Painting! I met a local artist from Tipton, Christine Boeve, who owns a Paint n Sip studio called Fresh Paint. I started attending her classes as a frequent painter and now work with her part-time teaching classes. It is such a fun creative outlet. And trust me, you don’t have to be good to have a great time!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate soft serve…yum!

Why did you decide to get involved with United Way and YLS?

I was first introduced to United Way when I started working at Hibu. They have supported United Way for many years and do a lot of “FUN”draising activities to involve employees. After a few years, I joined the Hibu United Way planning committee and now steer our committee.

Volunteering and giving back have been very important to me since I was young. I grew up in 4-H and it taught me to have a strong focus on community. I traveled to Haiti with the nonprofit group, ServeHaiti, about five years ago. After that trip, I became more involved with their fundraising efforts. I really enjoyed working with ServeHaiti and realized I wanted to start helping in my own community, as well. That led me to join United Way's Young Leaders Society. I love that United Way impacts so many people and so many different organizations in our community.