Jen Baxter

Strategy & Operations Leader | Communications + Marketing | Fractional COO | Behavioral Health & Human-Centered Services

I’m Jen Baxter—an operations and communications leader working at the intersection of behavior, systems, and storytelling. I bring 10+ years of executive leadership across public agencies, nonprofits, and community-facing organizations, leading strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, crisis/legislative messaging, and high-visibility events with elected officials, media, and regional partners.

Alongside communications, I’ve built people-first operations across HR, governance, and community engagement, which shaped a trauma-informed lens and led me to earn my SHRM-CP and train in Mental Health First Aid. Today I apply that same human-centered approach as a behavior specialist, a fractional COO for a nonprofit expanding therapy access for young adults, and a co-owner of Calm the Chaos, a care and organizing business grounded in compassionate, evidence-informed support.

I’m now formalizing a social media and digital marketing agency (SMMA) focused on human services and care-adjacent organizations—including senior living, therapy practices, and supportive service providers. I build websites, run SEO, and manage social media and digital campaigns that help mission-driven teams get found, earn trust, and turn attention into real-world action (calls, appointments, inquiries, enrollments, and community engagement).

If you’re building a people-centered organization and want marketing that’s both strategic and deeply human—let’s connect.

Resume

The Common Collective, Inc

Calm the Chaos, LLC

Consulting Services

Contact Jen

Press Releases

Athens-Limestone Library PRESS RELEASE Podcasts.pdf

Buras Press Release May 2020.doc.pdf

CARES Act AIP Funding APR 2020.pdf

Launcher Engine Tests APR 2020.pdf

Messaging & Storytelling Samples

Meet Jen Baxter

ALCPL Library Director (2020)

Community Voices

WLRH Huntsville (2022)

FY23 Budget Proposal & Community Impact Narrative
Funding Fully Restored

I Created a compelling, data-informed budget narrative that rebuilt trust with county officials after years of funding cuts caused by prior leadership mismanagement. Combined financial transparency with strong visuals of community impact (pages 4–5) and clear strategic goals (pages 7–8).

Outcome: The County Commission unanimously restored the library’s funding following this presentation.

LOPL_Strategic_Plan 2024.pdf

Live Oak Public Libraries – 2025–2030 Strategic Plan

When the hired consultant failed to deliver, I was tasked with producing a complete strategic plan in just one month. I led the rewrite from the ground up — shaping the narrative, synthesizing community input, integrating data (page 3, “What We Learned”), and structuring the five priority areas (page 4). My communications & marketing team worked tirelessly to create the plan used today.

Outcome: The final plan (LOPL Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030) now serves as the system’s official roadmap for literacy, engagement, facilities, staff culture, and long-term stewardship.

The LOPL #SummerReadingChallenge2024 is in full swing...

...and we’re getting started with our first book recommendation. Jen’s latest find is “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” by Grady Hendrix. It’s about a women’s book club that tries to protect its Southern suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a vampire. Head to your local branch and check it out today! #SummerReadingChallenge #src2024 #lopl #summerreading #jointhechallenge #read #summer

Community Engagement & Public Affairs Campaigns

“22 Books in 2022” Reading Challenge — Campaign Launch

As the new Library Director at ALCPL, I created and launched the library’s first-ever annual reading challenge. I designed the program concept and graphics, built the marketing campaign, and promoted it through community outreach events — including this live radio appearance.

The challenge drew 3,000+ participants, with 1,200 completions, and grew year over year, driving new library card sign-ups and strengthening community engagement.

Community Conversations: Opioid Abuse Awareness Forum

Designed and led a public forum addressing the opioid crisis, coordinating partners, panelists, messaging, and event promotion. The event saw strong community turnout and was featured in local news coverage.

Featured in local news coverage

Turnout: 40+ attendees

Partners: Hancock Resource Center & HYPE

Disaster Relief Supply Drive — Junior League of Savannah

As Committee Chair, I organized a rapid-response relief initiative following Hurricane Helene, coordinating volunteers and collection logistics. The effort gathered almost $2,000 in essential supplies for displaced families and pets, strengthening community partnerships and direct-impact service.

Lottery Bill Passage Event – Media & Public Affairs Leadership

Coordinated a major press event with State Senator Philip Moran to celebrate the passage of Mississippi’s lottery bill—legislation that has since generated millions for the state. Led event planning, media relations, stakeholder coordination, and all public messaging as Communications Director for the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission.

Governor Bryant Visit – Aerospace & Economic Development Tour

Organized and led the Governor of Mississippi’s tour of Relativity Space at Stennis on behalf of the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission. Oversaw event logistics, security coordination, leadership briefings, and all media/PR messaging tied to the visit — elevating the county’s visibility in state-level economic development.

Women in Politics Community Conversation

Planned and led a high-visibility public forum highlighting women leaders in government, co-hosted with the Hancock Chamber Women’s Leadership Roundtable. Coordinated panelists, developed event messaging, and moderated community Q&A. Featured Lynn Fitch (now Mississippi Attorney General), adding significant statewide relevance to the program.

Regionalism White Paper Presentation – Media Interview

As a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council’s 2020 Master Leadership Class, I co-authored a white paper on regional collaboration across coastal Mississippi. I was among the group chosen to present our findings to business leaders at the Knight Nonprofit Center and was interviewed by local media on behalf of the class following the presentation.

U.S. Senate Visit & Funding Announcement – Live Oak Public Libraries

When U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff made an unexpected visit to Live Oak Public Libraries, I led the communications response — coordinating the press conference, managing media relations, preparing messaging, and supporting onsite logistics. The event culminated in Ossoff’s announcement of $3 million in federal support for the system’s capital building campaign.

St. Thomas Thrift Store Grant – LETRS Early Literacy Training & LOPL Play Cards
To meet Georgia’s new statewide Science of Reading mandate, I wrote and secured a $12,600 grant to train nine youth services librarians in Lexia LETRS (FY23 St Thomas Thrift Store Grant).

This project built staff capacity to deliver evidence-based early literacy programming, improved alignment with local schools, and provided families with new take-home decodable resources.

The initiative directly supported the launch of a new elementary school library card campaign, resulting in 10,000 new student cardholders across three counties in partnership with United Way’s Read Across America initiative.

FY23 St Thomas Thrift Store Grant Application LOPL LETRS.pdf

Social Media Samples

GNO Sample

Library Book Sale

Library Podcast

Women's History Month

Stennis Space Center Tour

Library Adult Program

Book Club

Port Bienville Railroad

Volunteer Projects

Public Library Association, Membership Advisory Committee:

I was honored to join this professional committee with the Public Library Association in 2023 and to assist with the mission of member retention and recruitment practices on behalf of the organization. This year, as Co-Chair, our group is working to bring virtual training to members to increase understanding of membership benefits.

Pascagoula High School Class of 2003 – 20-Year Reunion

Designed all marketing materials, built the website, raised full event funding, and planned and executed the 20-year reunion for the Class of 2003. Managed promotion and engagement through Facebook, resulting in 80 attendees out of 250 graduates.

CANVA_proof_II-AYslPgc582jo (1).pdf