Name: Jennifer Byrne
Archangel AKPJ Association Position: Ambassador
Active Military or Veteran Status: Air Force Occupational Therapist (2014-2020)
Linkedin Profile: Jennifer Byrne
Position(s):
Vice-President and Co-Founder Shields and Stripes 501c3
Owner 5by5 Performance Therapy
Academic Mentor, Boston University Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
Medical Advisory Board Member, SEAL Future Foundation
Education:
Bachelors Science, Occupational Therapy, University of New Hampshire, 2012
Masters of Science, Occupational Therapy, University of New Hampshire, 2013
Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Boston University, 2021
Bio Summary: Growing up, Jenn knew she had a passion for helping and advocating for others. She grew up with a younger brother, Ricky, who has diagnosed as a baby with microcephaly, a significant intellectual disability. At a very early age, she became his protector and landed herself in the principal’s office more than once. She looked up to her older brother Jeff, who joined the Army at 18, and encouraged her to become an officer in the Air Force. Jenn graduated from the University of New Hampshire with her bachelors in Occupational Therapy and received her commission into the United States Air Force in 2012 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. The first occupational to ever receive the Health Professions Scholarship, she continued her education and completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in December of 2013.
Jenn entered active duty as a First Lieutenant on January 15, 2014, she identified a significant gap in quality healthcare services for Air Force special operations trainees, and developed what is now the Special Warfare Human Performance Support Group. She continued to build numerous health and wellness programs throughout her military career, embedding with elite units of joint operators and pilots. Additionally, she participated in the Language Enabled Airman Program and other language programs for her competence in Swahili. Jenn has traveled to East Africa numerous times, and is passionate about bringing positive change to children with disabilities in developing countries.
Jenn and her husband James, a combat rescue officer, welcomed their first child in February, 2020. She separated from active duty on November 20, 2020 because she felt like she could help more as a civilian, without the constraints of the military medical system. On November 21, 2020, Jenn created 5by5 Performance Therapy, a health and wellness performance team for special operators and their families. By April of 2021, Jenn created Shields and Stripes 501c3 with her co-founder, Steve Nisbet, a health and wellness program for Veterans and First Responders. A passionate learner, she earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy in May, 2021, and joined Boston University as a faculty member in July, 2021. Jenn has advised numerous special operations charities and boards on the health and wellness of operators. She welcomed her son in January 2023, and joined the AK PJ Association as an ambassador in March, 2023. In her free time, Jenn loves exploring Alaskan hiking trails, running, climbing, competing in triathlons, skiing, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Preferred Contact: Jennifer.byrne@5by5performancetherapy.com
