Jenny Wood

Jennifer (Jenny) Wood joined Synergy as a Senior Implementation Specialist with the Talk They Hear You (TTHY) team in November 2024. With over 25 years of leadership experience in public service, primarily in Colorado, Jenny brings a deep expertise in behavioral health, public policy, and system-wide prevention strategies.

Jenny began her career in the judicial branch in 1998, managing behavioral health programs for justice-involved families and overseeing federal grants and staff. She was instrumental in introducing evidence-based practices, including the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs, to the judicial system. Her career includes roles as the Assistant County Manager for Health and Human Services in Summit County, Program Manager for Colorado's Judicial Branch, Statewide Director of Criminal Justice Services, and Director of Community Prevention and Early Intervention at the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

At BHA, Jenny played a key role in policy advising, executive management, and state legislative reform. Known for her collaborative leadership and data-driven approach, she led the development of Colorado’s first cross-system needs assessment and strategic plan for substance misuse prevention, which reshaped statewide prevention efforts. She also testified before the Legislative Opioid Interim Study Committee, influencing new legislation.

Jenny founded the University Collaborative, a statewide group uniting academics, policymakers, and prevention practitioners to address emerging trends. The group’s success led to its formalization in state legislation as a funded mandate.

She is currently working on a federal government contract with Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Her work focuses on a federal public health campaign, Talk They Hear You,

Originally from New Jersey, but living in Colorado since 1995, Jenny now lives in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her husband Mike, their son Jake, and their dog Kona. The family enjoys hiking and skiing in the Breckenridge mountains.