Spotlight on our Program Director
14 Questions with Jennifer Gurske
Over the years, I have enjoyed an array of experiences from going to school in Toulouse, France, in my early college days to working as a paralegal in international insurance litigation/intellectual property litigation for over 13 years in Chicago. I received my Bachelor of Arts in journalism and went on to get my Master of Science in cultural resource management archaeology. I’ve always been an avid volunteer and that’s how I initially found the Madison Trust! I came on as a docent for the summer walking tours and as a tour photographer. When a position opened up within the Madison Trust, I jumped at the opportunity!
I find my work with the Madison Trust extremely rewarding and I feel lucky that I get to spend my time working with such amazing people everyday!
1. What is your personal philosophy?
Look for opportunities to leave the world a better place.
2. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My three dogs (they bring me happiness overload)
3. What are you listening to/reading these days?
I love Audible (I drive a lot) and I just finished listening to Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance and now I’m listening to Becoming by Michelle Obama & Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat.
4. What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
The emotional ups and downs that come with having a tricky autoimmune disease.
5. What is the one thing you cannot resist? (food/dessert/candy/etc.)
Lemon curd (dairy free of course)!
6. Where is your favorite place to be?
Anywhere with my family, but I do have a soft spot for Florence, Italy.
7. What is your favorite thing to do?
Bake gluten/dairy free goodies.
8. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
My first summer out of college, I spent three months at a recycling company that was digitizing their paperwork. There were hundreds of boxes and I had to pull the staples out of the paperwork so it could be scanned by someone else. I can pull staples like a pro!
9. What would you do (as a volunteer) if you weren’t doing this?
Anything involving animals!
10. You’re hosting a dinner party. Who are the 3 people, living or dead, who you would invite and why?
Two people I miss like crazy everyday - my very close friend Derek (he made me laugh and challenged me) and my cousin Zita (she understood me and helped me through the ups and downs of life) [both deceased] and Neil Degrasse-Tyson (I just love space).
11. What's one thing about you that surprises people?
For my graduate research, I spent six weeks in the Boundary Waters (in September/October) doing archaeology… and I only cried once!
12. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I would be a pilot! I’ve always had a fascination with aviation.
13. What inspires you and why?
Making change and empowering people. I’m a believer in the power of one -- that one person, one action, can have a ripple effect that can make a difference. I believe that if we are capable of making the world around us a better place, we should.
14. What do you think people should know about the Madison Trust?
That the members of the Board of Trustees care deeply about the organization and appreciate each and every member, sponsor and volunteer who donates their time and money to the Madison Trust. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the dedication of so many people over the last 50 years!