Jacqueline Snell

Founder & President, Jazzy Jam for Empowerment, Inc.

Jacqueline Snell is a distinguished Mental Health and Community Wellness Professional with over 18 years of transformative experience advocating for youth, seniors, families, and communities across Greater Los Angeles County, particularly in Altadena and Pasadena. As the SEL Team Lead at LACOE, she applies her extensive expertise in social-emotional learning, wellness, and systems-level support to foster nurturing and resilient educational environments.

In her role as the Executive Director and Founder of Jazzy Jam for Empowerment, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, as well as President and Founder of Soul To Soul Solutions, LLC Jacqueline has successfully led trauma-informed initiatives rooted in empathy and cultural humility. Her efforts have empowered over 1,200 families, promoting resilience and healing within the community.

Jacqueline is also a highly skilled event planner and community advocate, having organized a diverse array of vibrant community events, concerts, and gatherings. Her extensive involvement on advisory boards and committees throughout Altadena and Pasadena underscores her significant influence and commitment to championing mental health equity. In addition, she is a contributing author of Divine Blueprint: Faith in God for Unbounded Success, further demonstrating her dedication to personal and community development. 

Following the devastating Eaton Fires in 2020, Jacqueline emerged as a pivotal leader for survivors. She established and directed the WaterCooler Room Initiative, which provides a healing-centered space for fire-impacted households through emotional support, resource navigation, and community rebuilding. Following the fires, she created an additional arm of the WaterCooler Room initiative to further address the needs of those affected. Under her guidance, the initiative became a vital hub of hope, delivering trauma-informed sessions, individualized care plans, and practical support to strengthen the community’s capacity to recover and thrive.

In December 2025, Jacqueline was awarded the Champion Award at the 31st Annual S.E. Manley African American Short Film Festival, in honor of her outstanding commitment and compassion for the community. Her advocacy, courage, unwavering dedication, and relentless drive to uplift others through her leadership have significantly supported the healing and well- being of youth, seniors, and families. Her resilience and wholehearted service stand as a powerful testament to what it means to be a true community champion.

Her dedication has also led to the establishment of numerous cross-sector collaborations with local agencies, schools, nonprofits, wellness practitioners, and community leaders. These partnerships have created sustainable networks of care, continuing to support families throughout Altadena, Pasadena, and the broader San Gabriel Valley.

Prior to her current position, Jacqueline served as the Social Emotional Learning Program Director at McKinley School (Pasadena Unified School District), where she spearheaded over 70 wellness campaigns, outreach initiatives, and youth development events. Her visionary work bridges the gap between school systems and community spaces, cultivating an ecosystem of support that fosters healing, belonging, and academic achievement.

Jacqueline holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Social-Emotional Learning, as well as certifications as a Certified Wellness Specialist II (CWS II) and Health Care Associate Instructor (HCAI). With her leadership role as SEL Team Lead at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), she exemplifies an unwavering commitment to addressing the holistic needs of youth, seniors, and families through her certifications in Wellness Coaching, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.