Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa serves the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation as a Gift Planner. She works to advance the Foundation’s mission by collaborating with legal, financial and tax advisors to assist charitably minded community members achieve their philanthropic goals. Jennifer feels that working at the Foundation, with its focus on inspiring generosity, advocating for equity, and investing in community-led solutions, is a fantastic way for her to live out this personal commitment in her professional life.

Previously, Jennifer worked as a financial advisor and in new business development for Thrivent Financial, as a gift planner for Gustavus Adolphus College, and as the Director of Development & Philanthropy for Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree with majors in Music Performance and Theatre from Gustavus Adolphus College. She has also received a Fundraising Certificate from the University of St. Thomas and the Certified Fundraising Executive accredited designation from CFRE International.

Outside of work, Jennifer is passionate about singing and feels it is her calling to share the gift she has been given. She is in her twenty-seventh season as a member of the VocalEssence Chorus, where she serves as the soprano section leader under the direction of Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz, III. In addition to serving on the board of YWCA Minneapolis, she is a member of the VocalEssence Development Committee and an extended family member of Project Diva International.

Jennifer is a long-time resident of South Minneapolis and enjoys walks to Minnehaha Falls and frequenting locally owned restaurants and businesses. Her favorite hobby is reading as many books as possible. She cherishes spending time with her husband Ntomchukwu, their orange tabby cat Marsha, their family and their friends who are their chosen family.