About
Jen Keller is a community leader, artist, and storyteller based in Elgin, Illinois. A former high school German teacher of 19 years, she brought the same passion for connection to nonprofit work, most recently serving as Development Manager at PADS of Elgin, where she supported individuals and families experiencing homelessness — work recognized in 2026 when she was named the recipient of the YWCA’s Marie Grolich Award for Social Services.
Jen’s whimsical “Oodle Doodles” are the heart of her creative world — colorful, joyful characters that travel to shelters, public spaces, and elementary schools through her beloved Oodle Bus installation. Her illustration series Wanda CAN Do Anything continues that spirit of possibility and empowerment, following a character whose adventures remind us all that we’re capable of more than we imagine — with a children’s book series on the horizon.
She is also the author of Many Faces of Elgin, a community celebration in book form that honors the richness and diversity of the city she calls home.
At the core of everything Jen creates is a simple belief: everyone deserves dignity, beauty, and belonging.
Explore more of her work at www.theoodlearium.com and on social media at @theoodlearium.
