Jen Jow

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Nominee’s Bio: I was born in Hong Kong and adopted by a loving Chinese couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was raised there and shortly after graduating high school, I joined the United States Navy. I served four years on active duty and two years as a reservist in San Diego. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, I chose to make San Diego my permanent home.

After the Navy, I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s Degree in Business and Organizational Management. Afterwards, I worked at a Fortune 500 company and several medium size regional companies. My experience, and success as a sales and marketing consultant, has helped me build relationships, have good listening and communication skills, and a broader understanding of people and business dynamics.

I am a highly committed, dedicated St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (SPC) and Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) volunteer with a strong spiritual base. I was a high-level volunteer for almost 10 years and eventually I was brought into the organization as a regular employee and am currently the Facility & Hospitality Manager for the Cathedral. SPC’s is a place of inclusion and diversity, where all are respected and welcome. I feel deeply loved, accepted, and supported. I’m highly motivated to do my best and capitalize on my personal and professional skills to develop others to succeed in their current roles and work hard to lead by example.

I worship at SPC and have served on our Chapter (Vestry) as Senior Warden and People’s Warden, chaired various committees such as Sacred Ground in Action and Outreach. I am a licensed Lay Evangelist and serve on our Evangelism Committee. I also recently completed the four-year course of Education for Ministry (EFM) and am now a proud graduate as of 2024.

In the EDSD, I have served on Executive Council, chaired the Advocacy Committee, and was part of the initial groups on racial and social justice committees. I have co-chaired and facilitated the team and the writing of the Diocesan Five Year Strategic Plan. I am actively serving on the Standing Committee, and I chair the Diocesan Nominating committee.

Other organizations I’ve held leadership roles in:

• The Board of Directors at Episcopal Community Services (ECS) from 2018 to 2024 and held the treasurer position for several years. I am still actively serving on their Finance and Behavioral Health Committees.

• The Board of Directors at St. Paul’s Senior Services (SPSS) from 2017 to 2020. It was wonderful learning how this organization provides services and resources to help the elderly. With this knowledge and understanding I was able to get two elderly friends with financial difficulties into the PACE program.

• San Diego Pride for 10 years in a volunteer leader capacity since 2014. I was just given the “Mayor’s Recognition for 10 Years of Volunteer Service” from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, honoring my years of serving the LGBTQIA+ community in San Diego.

• ECS Uptown Safe Haven program as it has opened my eyes to what truly helps those in need and advocating for what is right is what it is all about.

The ties I have with these various organizations strengthens my faith by giving love for others as Jesus has taught us. Using my “time and talents” for good makes me feel like I’m able to make a small difference in this world.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: It has been an honor to be elected as a deputy to General Convention twice — in 2022 (Baltimore) and 2024 (Kentucky). These experiences allowed me to collaborate with other deputies in our diocese, understand the importance of pre-convention preparation, and recognize that our work goes beyond reading resolutions and casting votes. It’s about discernment and doing God’s work as part of The Episcopal Church.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting other deputies from around the world and learning more about how the larger church operates. I also participated in caucuses such as the Asian American Pacific Islander group, which broadened my perspective and deepened my commitment to inclusion, advocating for racial and social justice issues.

I believe I am a strong candidate to serve at General Convention. If elected, I plan to use my experience, deep faith, attentive listening, leadership skills — and a touch of wit and humor — which I believe best equip me to represent the EDSD diocese well, to best serve God, the Episcopal and wider community in this important work.