Consumer advocate Jenn Strathman

Email: strathman@newsnet5.com

Twitter: @JennStrathman

Facebook: facebook.com/JennStrathman

Birthplace: Wolcott, Connecticut.

Education: Syracuse University – Majors: Broadcast Journalism/Policy Studies. Minor: Political Science.

Current Position/Job Duties: Consumer Advocate.

Previous Work Experience: Call for Action Reporter at KSHB in Kansas City; Contact 16 reporter/producer at WNDU in South Bend; ESPN Production Assistant for the Women’s World Cup; Production Assistant for ESPN International; freelancer ESPN, NBC Sports, ABC Sports, CBS Sports.

Joined NewsChannel5: July 2010

Most Memorable Stories:

-Exposing questionable practices at a car dealership that led to its closing, two lawsuits from Attorneys General, and several class action lawsuits.

-Visiting Walter Reed with a Notre Dame star basketball player who lost her hand in Iraq. I couldn’t believe how many young people were coming back from the war with one or more limbs missing

-Saving hundreds of homes from foreclosure through the “Save Your Home” initiative. We exposed problems with the government’s loan modification program from the start and took action to save homes.

Awards/Honors: 2 Emmy Awards, 3 Edward R. Murrow Awards, Kansas and Indiana Society of Professional Journalists Awards

News Philosophy: Uncover consumer issues while helping viewers be smarter consumers.

Role Model: Grandmother.

Favorite Sports Team(s): Syracuse, Syracuse and more Syracuse.
Notre Dame football.

Favorite Music: Billy Joel, Elton John, 80s.

Favorite Movie: I have no attention span for movies unless it’s at the theater. You’ll find me asleep within ten minutes of turning it on.

Favorite Program: The Amazing Race (I would love to be on it).

Favorite Book: Anything by John Grisham.

Favorite Foods: Italian.

Family: I come from a family of six. I have two older brothers, and a younger sister who was killed in 2003. My sister and I were very close, as we were just three years apart. Time doesn’t heal the wound. I’m writing a book on the unique way I dealt with my grief, but the pain never goes away. The hole in my heart has a scab over it, but sometimes that scab still bleeds and the grief consumes me again. It’s still hard to believe she was taken from us far too young.

My passion: College basketball March madness and saving you money.

Hobbies & Interests: Working out, biking, traveling and blogging at jennstrathman.com.

Hidden Talent(s): I love taking pictures of people from around the world going about their everyday life. My home is a shrine to all the great people I’ve met and all the great scenery I’ve seen.

I also love to bake.

Something most people don't know about me: I love an adrenaline rush. Some of my favorites include skydiving with my sister, hiking and rafting the Grand Canyon and backpacking through Europe by myself. An African Safari is next on my bucket list.

I turned down a job offer to stay in school and graduate with a degree.

What I like best about Northeast Ohio: Little Italy and the bike trails.

You're most likely to see me around town at: The West Side Market and bike trails.

On the weekends I love to: Bike and enjoy great restaurants.

Additional Info: Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer for seven years in honor of my sister.