JENNIFER HOBBS

Penn-Mar Human Services

Jennifer Hobbs serves as chief development and marketing officer at Penn-Mar Human Services, a nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 2017, she has directed strategy and a team of dedicated professionals advancing the mission through philanthropy, public awareness and technology. Nearly 15 years in the intellectual and developmental disability field cover nonprofit development, marketing and communications, public relations and community engagement, a career of service, professional and personal, pairing high-level strategy with mission-driven empathy.

Washington College awarded her a bachelor’s degree in 2011, the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Next Up Cohort followed in 2021, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Women in Leadership Program in 2023. Her role in developing and coordinating Penn-Mar’s “Special Appeal” video earned a 2024 Silver Addy Award from the American Advertising Federation’s Baltimore division; a “Mythbusting Autism” social media campaign brought the 2017 Media-Public Awareness Award from the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities.

Hobbs focuses on raising awareness of Penn-Mar’s mission and impact and amplifying the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so their stories are told respectfully, authentically and powerfully. Advocacy for disability inclusion and support, visibility for growth across two states and philanthropy point toward a community where every person has agency to define their own future. She values leading an exceptional team to secure the resources that let them live their best lives and building awareness of the mission and the importance of creating an inclusive world.

Hobbs is board secretary for Action for Kindness, devoted to inspiring kindness and community connection, and a board member of the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council, which advances technology access and strengthens digital equity.