July 10, 2025
Our Economy Runs on Technicians – So Why Are We Running Out?
Skilled technicians are essential to transportation technology in this fast-paced world.
Jennifer Maher
CEO/Executive Director
Jennifer is the CEO of TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit that champions all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians.
Jennifer has enjoyed a 30-year career in nonprofit management. She served on the national staff for Make-A-Wish America, YMCA of the USA and The Nature Conservancy.
Her expertise has been in corporate strategic alliances, aligning charitable causes with corporation investment to advance business goals for maximum impact. Jennifer has personally raised over $100 million through partnerships with Disney, PepsiCo, Ford, General Motors, Bridgestone, NAPA, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NASCAR, CarMax, and Penske, to name a few. She is a savvy marketer, communicator, and mission-driven business leader.
Jennifer is an experienced public speaker, author, and social impact coach, speaking on topics including: the importance of technical education; business vitality around a skilled workforce; recruitment and retention of technicians; positioning your business for maximum social impact and profitability (doing well by doing good); welcoming women into a male-dominated industry; why not all students need to go to a 4-year university; the needs and expectations of a GenZ workforce; the demo- and psycho-graphics of the next generation of technicians; the evolving technologies exciting future technicians; the future of the technician profession; what’s causing the workforce shortage; why technicians quit; how employers can attract and retain skilled techs; what parents should consider as viable careers for their kids; what solutions TechForce provides for aspiring and working technicians; and other topics.
Jennifer was named by the Auto Care Association’s Women In Auto Care division “2019 Woman of the Year.” She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in international political science and a minor in Chinese.
Jennifer's articles
Ford Philanthropy - Tech Force CEO Jennifer Maher Empowers Women in Auto Tech
Building on decades of experience in nonprofit youth, education and workforce development, Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, is cultivating a nationwide community dedicated to helping young people find a technical career that fits them.
Tire Business - Tackling The Automotive Technician Shortage
Tire Business Reporter Kathy McCarron talks with Jennifer Maher, CEO and executive director of the TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to encourage and promote students into careers as professional technicians, and Dan Gilley, president and owner of RLO Training, which provides training for automotive service professionals.
Professional Tool & Equipment News – Panel: What young techs are looking for out of a shop
The task of recruiting young technicians into the aftermarket — and keeping them here throughout their career — has been a leading challenge and one that will have a great impact on the future success of the automotive repair industry.