A native of Michigan and graduate of Alma College (BA), Jani has made her home in California for the last 30 years. Jani has worked in a variety of jobs; physical therapy assistant, silkscreen company owner, film production assistant, facilities technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and was director of operations at Christ Episcopal Church, Los Altos, CA, for 15 years before completing her Masters of Divinity degree at Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Ordained to the priesthood in April 2018, she has been active in local community organizing, providing overnight parking for the houseless/homeless, STOP human trafficking and jail ministry. She has served Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga, CA for 5 years and has been interim rector for the last 2 years. Jani is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry program at Claremont School of Theology, exploring the intersection of art and creativity in spiritual formation and pastoral care.

Jani and her wife Deb have five children – Joshua (20), Enoc (19), Eli (17), Daniel (16), and Esperanza (13). Their family includes 2 dogs, 2 horses, and 2 parakeets. In her free time, Jani enjoys practicing Aikido, hiking, traveling, painting, sculpting, and creating mixed media artwork.