Biography of Jen Appel New York Founder and CEO
Jen Appel is an artist, educator, filmmaker, and founder based in Locust Valley, New York, with professional roots across all five boroughs of New York, including Long Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Her family background is deeply connected to the region, as her father grew up in the Bronx, her mother was from Brooklyn, and she was born in Old Brookville, New York. These early ties established a strong connection to place, culture, and community that continues to inform her work. For more than 30 years, she has built a career spanning film, education, branding, and civic media. Her professional experience includes work in theater, film, fine art, and music, alongside a sustained commitment to teaching advanced humanities subjects such as A.P. U.S. History and U.S. Government, as well as Business and Entrepreneurship. Through this combination of
creative and academic practice, she has emphasized clarity, responsibility, and meaningful public engagement. In addition to these roles, Appel is the founder of Somewhere I Read, a national initiative dedicated to renewing America’s civic imagination, and the creator of 16 Paws, a pet lifestyle brand and children’s book centered on kindness and animal-assisted service. These projects reflect a consistent focus on ethical storytelling, service, and long-term cultural contribution, while also reinforcing the professional identity associated with Jen Appel New York.
Early Life and Artistic Formation Jen Appel’s relationship with the arts began early and developed through curiosity, study, and discipline. While attending high school, she discovered theater, an experience that became a defining influence and shaped her future direction. This early passion led her to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she was awarded a full scholarship for acting and pursued rigorous training. During her time at Tisch, she trained in the Experimental Theatre Wing and at Circle in the Square. These programs emphasized technique, collaboration, and exploration, helping her develop a grounded and adaptable creative approach that would support work across multiple disciplines. During and after her formal education, Appel worked across acting, directing, music, writing, and fine art. She performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, participated in film projects, and served as lead singer for several alternative rock bands and other music and film collaborations. Her fine art has been exhibited in galleries in both the Hamptons and New York City, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to visual expression.
Risk Productions and Early Creative Leadership Jen Appel of New York founded Risk Productions in 1997 as a film, television, theater, and music company committed to projects that directly address social and cultural issues. The company was created as a platform for thoughtful storytelling and responsible creative leadership, emphasizing work that engages audiences with honesty and purpose. Through Risk Productions, she wrote, directed, and produced Yes! Damn It, which played to sold-out audiences at The Producer’s Club in New York City. This project demonstrated her ability to guide creative work from development through performance while maintaining focus on meaningful subject matter.
She later co-produced multiple films and television projects, including the live-action segment of Blue’s Clues for Nickelodeon, a children’s program widely recognized for its cultural impact. Appel expanded her production work through Prinxessa Productions, broadening her focus to include music publishing and multimedia storytelling that integrates sound, narrative, and visual media.
Education as Vocation and Practice Jen Appel has built a sustained career in education spanning more than 30 years. She earned a Master’s degree in Education and English Literature from Long Island University, graduating as a Merit Fellow and Magna Cum Laude. Her academic training reflects a strong foundation in literature, history, and instructional methodology. She completed postgraduate studies, earned United States teaching certification, and holds New York State certifications in Secondary Education and English Language Arts. She is also certified in the Hochman Writing Revolution, reflecting a commitment to structured writing instruction and clear communication. Appel completed advanced studies in differentiation and diversity through Harvard University and participated in programs with the Gilder Lehrman Institute, studying under Professor David Blight of Yale University. She has taught in public, private, and independent schools, including Collegiate, City and Country, Stevenson, Friends Academy, Marymount, Trevor Day School, Buckley Country Day School, Dwight Global, and Fairfax County Public Schools. Her teaching experience includes A.P. U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics, English, Honors English, Creative Writing, Business and Entrepreneurship, Fine Art, Performing Art, Speech, and Theater, as well as service as a diversity curriculum coordinator, theater director, learning specialist, and private educator.
Somewhere I Read: Media for a Movement Jen Appel is the founder of Somewhere I Read, her most ambitious civic media initiative. The project was conceived as a response to polarization and democratic erosion, to renew America’s civic imagination through film, music, history, and technology. She serves as founder and chief executive officer of the initiative, which includes a flagship feature film titled Traitor: A Story of Patriots and a companion concert experience. Together, these elements explore how storytelling and music can reconnect people to shared civic values and historical understanding.
The film’s trailer was recently featured at a museum in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Through this work, Appel continues to integrate media and historical reflection in ways that encourage dialogue, empathy, and civic awareness.
16 Paws and the Ethics of Care Jen Appel is the founder and chief executive officer of 16 Paws Luxury Pet Lifestyle Company, launched in 2024. Inspired by her dogs Honeybear, Valentine, Bentley, and Cosette, and based on her children’s book 16 Paws & A Special Kind of Grace, the company reflects a personal commitment to kindness, service, and care. 16 Paws is based on Long Island’s North Shore and draws inspiration from the Long Island Sound, Planting Fields, and the rhythms of daily life. The children’s book tells its story entirely from the dogs’ perspectives and emphasizes service and quiet courage. The accompanying 16 Paws Club offers curated subscription boxes that support artisans and small vendors. More than a commercial venture, 16 Paws is grounded in service. Appel conducts monthly animal-assisted service visits with her dog, Cosette, at The Life Enrichment Center in Oyster Bay, serving seniors and teens. She has also assisted with equine therapy programs supporting veterans with PTSD, survivors of domestic abuse, and inner city children encountering horses and barn animals for the first time. She hopes to one day own horses and establish her own care farm. She also enjoys spending time with her dogs at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. The President of the Board has invited her to consider joining the Bailey Arboretum board, a step she is likely to take.