2026 Distinguished Alumna Award
The Mercy High School Alumnae Association is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award, Jennifer Jackson '93. The Distinguished Alumna Award honors a woman who makes a difference in her walk of life and exemplifies and supports the Mercy Core Values of Compelled by Mercy, Educational Courage, Inspired by Faith, Principled Leadership and A Voice For Dignity and Respect. Congratulations, Jennifer!
Mercy President Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger '66 will give the awards during Tea for Tuition on Sunday, April 26, 2025. We invite you to join us! Learn more here.
Jennifer Jackson ’93
Jennifer serves as Vice President of Public Relations at Hungry Howie’s Pizza, where she has built a career rooted in integrity, mentorship, and principled leadership. Her journey began at just ten years old, working alongside her father in the family business. What started as answering phones and learning daily operations grew into a lifelong commitment to supporting others - guiding franchise owners, fostering strong teams, and leading with honesty and respect.
While Jennifer’s professional accomplishments are significant, it is her response to personal loss that has most profoundly shaped her legacy. In 2013, Jennifer experienced the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Andrea Kristin Jackson ’96, lovingly known as “Dre.” Through faith, reflection, and a deep desire to serve others, Jennifer transformed her grief into purpose.
In 2021, she founded The DRE Project, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading hope and supporting families in need. What began as simple acts of kindness, delivering meals and offering encouragement, has grown into a powerful outreach effort. To date, The DRE Project has served more than 2,000 families, providing home-cooked meals, groceries, and essential resources with dignity and care. In 2025 alone, over 700 new families were served.
Jennifer’s work is grounded in the belief that service is not just about meeting needs, but about building relationships and restoring hope. Through The DRE Project, she has created a network of compassion - mobilizing volunteers, partnering with organizations, and ensuring that every person served feels seen, valued, and supported.
In addition to her professional and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer remains deeply committed to service in her community. She volunteers as a facilitator with the New Hope Center for Grief Support, serves on the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation committee, and is actively involved in high school ministry at Kensington Church.
Jennifer’s life is a powerful reflection of Mercy’s mission - leading with faith, demonstrating courage, and being compelled by mercy. Through both her professional leadership and her ministry of service, she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Learn more about The DRE Project: https://thedreproject.org/.