Jen DeJong is the founder and president of Encounters Unlimited. With 25 years of travel coordination experience, Jen has built a career around curating personalized, immersive travel experiences. Her expertise ensures that every trip with Encounters Unlimited is seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.

In 2022, Jen created Sicilian Encounters. As a first-generation Sicilian (Jen’s mother was born in Montevago, Sicily, and moved to the U.S. at age seven), Jen has a deep personal connection to the region and a passion for sharing its rich culture, history, cuisine, and wine with travelers. In 2025, Jen saw the opportunity to expand the business to include trips to other parts of the world with specific interests (wine and art) at the core of each travel experience.

Beyond her business, Jen is actively involved in her community, serving as board co-chair of Wooden It Be Lovely, a nonprofit supporting women recovering from addiction, and as a board member of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. Jen has been married to her husband, Marc, for 25 years, and they have two daughters, Maria and Rose. She loves to travel, coach her daughters’ volleyball teams occasionally, and enjoys time with family and friends.