Jen Baxter
Chief Operations Officer
From public libraries to executive leadership roles shaping community systems, Jen Baxter has spent her career building structures that make people’s lives better. With more than a decade of experience strengthening operations, developing teams, and leading community-focused programs, Jen brings a rare blend of clarity, heart, and human-centered leadership. As COO of the Phoenix Group Foundation, she channels her deep expertise into strengthening the systems that support young adults and families navigating mental health and substance use challenges—ensuring every initiative is grounded in equity, compassion, and impact.
Jen Baxter is a seasoned nonprofit and public-sector operations leader with over a decade of experience strengthening organizational systems, people operations, and community-focused programs.
Her career spans executive leadership roles in libraries, local government, and economic development organizations, where she has consistently led complex operations, managed multi-site teams, and built partnerships that expand impact and improve service delivery.
Jen has directed full-scale HR functions, overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, led strategic planning processes, managed communications and public relations, and driven cross-sector coalitions. At Live Oak Public Libraries, she served as Deputy Director overseeing Public Services, Collection Management, and Communications & Strategic Partnerships—while also stepping in as Interim HR Director to rebuild onboarding, training, and employee experience systems. She previously served as CEO of the Hancock County Library System, Library Director of Athens-Limestone County Public Library, and Communications Director for the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission, where she supported legislative engagement and strategic storytelling across government and community partners.
In her role as COO at the Phoenix Group Foundation, Jen brings deep operational expertise, a people-centered leadership philosophy, and a mission-driven commitment to strengthening systems that support community well-being. She leads strategic planning, organizational operations, program execution, and stakeholder relations—ensuring the Foundation’s initiatives are effective, scalable, and grounded in partnership.
Jen holds a Master of Library & Information Science, a Master of Public Administration, and is SHRM-CP certified. She is passionate about human-centered design, trauma-informed leadership, and building healthy, resilient organizations that unlock human potential.