Executive Director and Secretary
Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D.
Jeni Stepanek, an award-winning speaker and writer, is a noted advocate for personal and world peace, as well as for children’s and families’ needs and rights in health and education. She is also the author of the NY Times Bestselling book, Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs. Jeni’s inspirational message about hope, peace, disability, grief, support, parenting, collaboration, and spirituality has been carried by all media outlets.
Like her son, the late bestselling poet and peace advocate, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Jeni has a rare neuromuscular disease, and relies on a ventilator and wheelchair for breathing and mobility. A noted guest on Good Morning America, Oprah, Larry King and The MDA Labor Day Telethon, Mattie created poetry and essays from age 3 until he passed away in 2004 at age 13, and published 7 books that became NY Times bestsellers. Mattie is the youngest of Jeni's four children. All four -- Katie, Stevie, Jamie, and Mattie -- died during childhood due to complications of the genetic neuromuscular disease Jeni unknowingly passed on to the children before she was diagnosed.
Today, Jeni works as a motivational speaker, and as a research and editorial consultant. She also serves as a National Vice President for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and a Governor for the We Are Family Foundation. From 2005 until 2010, Jeni served as the Chair of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation, and has served as the Executive Director and Secretary since 2010. In 2011, she receivd the Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore "Peacemaker of the Year Award" for her work in continuing Mattie's mission for peace. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Maryland, and has a B.A. in psychology and journalism from The Catholic University of America. Jeni enjoys mentoring international teens who are committed to peace. In her free time she enjoys photography, editing, and playing with Micah, the service dog she and Mattie shared. When she grows up, Jeni wants to be a beach chair philosopher.
For more information about Mattie, or to inquire about Jeni’s availability for public speaking events, please visit www.mattieonline.com or e-mail heartsongbooks@aol.com.
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