Women's Roundtable

Featured Speaker: Marlene Jehnke, Early Learning Scholarships Outreach Specialist, Families First of Minnesota


Marlene Jehnke currently serves as the Early Learning Scholarship Outreach Specialist at Families First of MN. She has been with Families First for more than 13 years in various capacities.

Originally from the Chicago area, Marlene came to Rochester in 1999 from Houston, TX, having worked there for 16 years with the YMCA of Greater Houston. During that time, Marlene graduated from the University of Houston – Clear Lake with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.  

In Houston, she provided YMCA programming in the community out of a 500 sq ft non-facility storefront, which led to the construction of a new flagship branch of the Houston YMCA. (May 21,1999 was proclaimed “Marlene Jehnke Day”, which she still celebrates annually).  

Marlene enjoys educating and offering information sessions on Early Learning Scholarships to child care program, families, and agencies in the 28-county service area who serve families who may benefit from help finding and paying for child care.

Develop relationships within this supportive group of women leaders who meet the third Friday morning of each month. The Women's Roundtable provides a small, safe environment for women to: practice and refine skills, discuss challenges specific to women in positions of leadership, learn together and empower each other to take risks. Join us for a fun, engaging program driven by the needs of the group.

**Please note that all presentations and content delivered within or in the promotion of Roundtable meetings are entirely Roundtable Chair and member/attendee driven. Any messaging and content conveyed within and for these meetings is in no way representative of the Chamber's views, ideals, or positioning.**