We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Berry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

An important lesson I’ve learned from working in multiple industries, is that no matter how big a city seems, it’s an incredibly small world! Every encounter you have has the potential to change your life. Treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter where they are in life because you don’t know when you might see them again. I’ve somehow blended all my worlds together, dance, nonprofit and music and they are now a part of the same network. Your network is what will keep you going in tough times and take your career to the next level, so prioritize your people!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jenn Berry and I am a professional dancer and philanthropist, but mostly, I am a relationship builder! I moved to LA from a small town in Oregon back in 2016 after coming off a ballroom dance tour with the Utah Ballroom Dance Company. I started at a beautiful dance studio in Sherman Oaks owned by 2-time World Rhythm Champion and former Dancing with the Stars pro, Elena Grinenko. It was a great experience working for and learning from one of my all-time favorite dancers! I started teaching lessons and performing throughout LA, but I knew I was also interested in the business side of the entertainment industry.

In 2019, I started applying for positions in the music industry. After all, I did an internship with Atlantic Records in college, and I loved it! I secured a job with an Israeli talent management company called Morse Artists. It was a very exciting and fast-paced industry. I loved going to recording sessions and shows with our artists and just being around all of the creativity! During my time there, we signed an Israeli popstar, Noa Kirel, to a major label and we started a pop group from the ground up called SZNS! Once the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the music and dance industry came to a halt. It gave me time to slow down and evaluate what I really want to offer this world and whether or not I was on the right career path. I realized I wanted to do something that has the potential to make positive change for historically marginalized communities, and that’s when I found Imagine LA. I’ve been working with Imagine LA since July of 2021 and it has truly changed my life.

Imagine LA is dedicated to ending family poverty and homelessness through a holistic combination of economic mobility, mentorship and intensive case management. My role at Imagine LA is an event planner and fundraiser, but really it is, cultivating and fostering long lasting relationships while inspiring others to use their time and resources to help others. In 2023, I founded Imagine LA’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Board, a group of young business professionals passionate about social impact. Together we created a Dancing with the Imagine LA Stars fundraiser which was incredibly successful! I was able to bridge my two worlds, nonprofit and entertainment, and no better place to do that than the City of Angels! What I truly love about Los Angeles is that even when you transition to a different career path, you always find your way back to your true passion.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

One thing I learned about my personal goal and mission is that the more egotistical it is, the less likely it will become a reality. I urge you to ask yourself, what positive impact do you want to make on others? No matter the industry, there will be ways in which you are truly making the world a better place. If you’re a dance teacher, that might be inspiring the next generation of young dancers. If you’re an influencer, that might be using your platform for good to encourage others to donate for a cause. If we all did everything with love and compassion, what would the world look like? In 2021 when I shifted my life to focus on others rather than myself, I had one of the best years of my life spiritually, financially and physically.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I became very drawn to the teachings of philosophers a few years ago and these 3 books had a long-lasting impression on me.

1. “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass
2. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz
3. “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle

What all of these three books have in common is the importance of becoming a conscious human being, not being motivated by the ego, living life in the present moment, and unconditionally loving others. I try to align my leadership style with these values and I continue to evolve and become more and more conscious every day. One of my favorite quotes from Ram Dass is ” It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.” That is really all we can do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenn4dancing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenn_artiste/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-berry-53aba547
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@streetballroom
• Other: https://www.imaginela.org/