Jen Hackett

When not functioning as the President of Camp Puzzle Peace, Jen Hackett works for the Webster Central School District where she has worked as a special education teacher for 29 years.  Since co-founding Camp Puzzle Peace, Jen has devoted countless hours developing an organization dedicated to helping children and families facing autism and related disabilities.  Jen specializes in children with behavioral need and limited communication, and has worked with a wide range of children on the autism spectrum and their families.  She recently earned a certificate from Cornell University in Not For Profit Management and is always looking for more ways to support families.  

Jen was a consultant for New York State and The Open Space Institute in the creation of a new Autism Nature Trail, located in Letchworth State Park.  She is the Director of Programming for the ANT.  Jen continues to work with NYS Parks on other projects to help promote inclusion and accessibility.  Her passion for empowering others is evident in her dedication to families in the community.  

Jen lives in Rochester, NY with her partner, Simon, and their two dogs, George and Hudson.  She is an avid hiker and an Adirondack 46er.  Jen loves the outdoors and her cabin in the ADK.  In the summer she is hiking and kayaking, and in the winter she is on the slopes.  Jen has a passion for skiing and is on the board of The Hunt Hollow Youth Ski Foundation.  She also volunteers time teaching adaptive skiing in the winter.