Family Giving Tree
Raised in Palo Alto, California, Jennifer received her BS and MBA from San Jose State University. While there, as part of a MBA class project, the very idea for Family Giving Tree was born. Jennifer and Todd Yoshida were asked to "create a program that adds value to someone else's life." Their concept, known today as Family Giving Tree, started in 1990 with a push to provide holiday gifts to 300 children in East Palo Alto. Encouraged by the first year’s success and her ability to attract major corporate sponsors, Jennifer doubled down on her role as ‘Queen Elf’, expanded the Holiday Wish Drive, and later added a summer school backpack drive. Now in its 29th year, Family Giving tree has delivered over 1.6 million gifts and backpacks to low income Bay Area children and adults, making it the largest gift and backpack donation program in California.