Hannaford Supermarkets and B95.5 are partnering to identify and celebrate women in the Capital Region its the

20 Outstanding Women!

We found the women who go above and beyond to make their communities a better place to live. Those unsung heroes in our neighborhoods – the ones who are already busy, yet find the time to give back in big ways to help others.

 Friday, March 6, 2026

Today's Outstanding Woman is,

Jennifer Dahke of Schenectady

Jennifer Dahnke, known to her community as Jenny Marie is a rare and radiant force in the Capital Region: a gifted artist who measures her success not by personal achievement alone, but by how many others she can lift alongside her.

Jenny's love of music was ignited by her father, a musician who passed when she was just eleven years old. She channeled her grief into her craft with extraordinary dedication, a journey that took her from her first debut performance at B.B. King's in Manhattan, to residencies at The Frederick Allen Lodge and The Adelphi in Saratoga Springs, to studying vocal performance and audio technology at SCCC, where she became the first jazz student invited to perform with the school's big jazz band.

Her path has been marked by profound resilience. She paused her education to care for her mother through a lengthy post-surgical recovery, survived a serious illness that altered her life for nearly two years, and navigated the devastating impact of the pandemic on the arts emerging from each challenge more determined than before.

It was that determination that led Jenny to found The Cool Mom Dot Com, a platform and event series dedicated to creating space for musicians, independent artists, and local businesses to connect, collaborate, and thrive. Her showcases have grown into a regional movement, drawing artists internationally and giving countless performers their first experience on a stage. She mentors young singers, curates’ playlists for independent artists, and travels with emerging talent to broaden their horizons.

Globally, Jenny won a competition hosted by legendary producer Timbaland — chosen from over 20,000 artists earning a spot on his next album. She also serves as an on-air host for the New York State Lottery.

Jenny Marie is a beacon of creativity, generosity, and community and one of the Capital Region's most outstanding women.

Nominated by  Zahqilya Brucker

Listen to her interview below!

 

 

 

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cool Mom (@thecoolmomdotcom) • Instagram photos and videos

See all of this year's 20 Outstanding Women announced so far!

Congratulations to all of the 20 Outstanding Women with Hannaford Supermarkets and B95.5!

Check out the Outstanding Women from years past!

Class of 2025!

Class of 2024!