Jen Ahearn-Koch was first elected to the Sarasota City Commission in May 2017 and is now serving her second term. She served as Mayor from 2019 to 2020.

Sarasota Roots

Jen’s connection to Sarasota began in 1970 when her parents bought a home here. She later moved to the area with her mother and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School. In 1996, Jen, her husband, and their two-year-old son settled in Sarasota permanently.

Career

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from the American University in Paris and a Master’s in International Affairs with a specialization in International Political Economy from Columbia University. Jen worked as Art Director at the Asolo Theatre before founding JAK Consults in 2002, a marketing company that serves local businesses and nonprofits.

Community Involvement

Jen became President of the Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association and later represented her neighborhood on the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, where she served on its executive committee. She was appointed to the City of Sarasota’s Planning Board/Local Planning Agency for six years.