WOMEN CREATE is excited to announce that Managing Editor Jennifer Blot has been named editor in chief, succeeding Jo Packham, who has resigned from her post.
Jen has spent much of her career championing the arts and philanthropy, as an editor and writer — and occasional photographer — for newspapers and magazines, including the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, the Nob Hill Gazette and Newport Life Magazine. Her love of visual art, vintage treasures, photography and words was cemented at a young age; in high school, she became invested in telling the stories of the creative people around her and began her own decades-long passion project as an avid researcher and collector of vintage costume and artisan jewelry.
Over the years, she’s interviewed numerous artists about their craft, their inspiration and their vision. Along the way, she’s also worked at a private art college, teaching fashion journalism courses and offering writing workshops and one-on-one support for artists of all disciplines.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area now living outside Boston, Jen is a natural storyteller who sees art and creativity — and the countless stories that emerge from the process and the journey — wherever she goes. As editor in chief of WOMEN CREATE, she will uphold Jo Packham’s long and illustrious tradition of showcasing the first-person stories, studios and techniques of extraordinary women artists and makers.
And thanks to the creative eye of the talented Wendy Dunning, who has been designing WOMEN CREATE magazines for many years, you can expect the same beautiful layouts you have come to love.
“The first time I picked up copies of WHERE Women Create and WHAT Women Create, my heart fluttered. I had never seen anything quite like these magazines, filled with such authentic, heartfelt stories and breathtaking imagery,” Jen shared. “I am honored to be part of these incredible publications and this very special community of artisans and makers.”
Wendy Dunning / Sammi Thomas
In addition to planning an exclusive lineup of stories for WHERE Women Create and WHAT Women Create magazines in the coming year, Jen will be hosting an exciting new season of podcasts and MAKER MOMENTS livestream events alongside Women Create Audience Engagement Editor Sammi Thomas.
As a key member of the WOMEN CREATE team, Sammi is producer of the podcast and MAKER MOMENTS series and oversees WOMEN CREATE’s social media accounts and promotions. In her free time, Sammi frequents art museums, especially those in the Boston Area, and enjoys fashion and thrifting.
WOMEN CREATE is owned by Madavor Media, which has been in a partnership with the brand since early 2021 and purchased the magazine titles later that year.
“We’re thrilled to have Jen leading the Women Create brand and further telling the amazing stories of such talented women artisans and makers,” Courtney Whitaker, COO of Madavor, said. “We’re committed to elevating and empowering all of the women in the Women Create community, and we believe Jen, Sammi and Wendy will continue to do that.”
