About Jane

Jane Parker grew up in Monterey, graduated from Monterey High School, earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Economics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a Grand Diplome de Cuisine from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris.

Currently Jane is employed at the ACTION Council of Monterey County as Associate Director where her reponsiblitites include establishing a strong donorbase for Girls Incorporated -- an organization developing leadership skills in girls, and seeking ways to address the need for affordable housing in our county. She chairs the MPC Foundation board of directors and the Democratic Club of the Monterey Peninsula. In 2004 Jane ran for the District 4 seat on the County Board of Supervisors, and came within 200 votes of victory.

Jane founded and managed a healthy meal preparation and delivery service for working families and homebound seniors and worked for 9 years for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte where her responsibilities were to raise over $5 million annually in support of essential family health services and honest sex education. She has served on the Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees, as President of the Charitable Council of Monterey; Volunteer Director for the Carmel Bach Festival; Commissioner and chair of the County Social Services Commission, and Board President of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

Jane inherited a love of education from her father, Brad, who was the education beat reporter for the Monterey Herald. Jane’s mother, Polly, was a local community activist and writer who inspired Jane to public service.