Jenny Sanford

First Lady of South Carolina

First Lady Jenny Sanford was born and raised in Winnetka, Illinois and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Georgetown University. After college, she worked for the investment banking firm Lazard Freres & Co in New York from 1984 through 1990, including serving as vice president in mergers and acquisitions.

The Sanfords then moved from New York to the Charleston area where Mrs. Sanford balanced raising a family, managing her husband Mark’s political campaigns and being active in the non-profit community. In 1994, Mrs. Sanford managed her husband Mark’s successful campaign for Congress, the couple’s first foray into the political arena. Mrs. Sanford also managed his winning gubernatorial campaign in 2002, assisted him daily at the Statehouse during his first term as governor, and co-managed his successful reelection in 2006.

At the Governor’s Mansion, Mrs. Sanford has completely reorganized operations, resulting in significant savings to the taxpayers. With the help of the Mansion Commission and Foundation, Mrs. Sanford also oversaw the Lace House interior refurbishment project in 2003 and the home has now been successfully reopened for rental and public use –generating nearly $250,000 in funds to support the historical properties on the Mansion Complex grounds.

 Mrs. Sanford is passionate about the role that good nutrition and regular physical activity play in helping to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. In 2005, the First Lady launched the Healthy SC Challenge – a results –based initiative designed to help South Carolinians quit smoking, eat healthier and start exercising.

Mrs. Sanford currently serves on the Hollings Cancer Center Advisory Committee at MUSC.  She has served as a board member on other non-profit organizations including the Site Advisory Council for Drayton Hall historical property in Charleston, the Coastal Community Foundation and the MUSC Children’s Hospital Advisory Fund.

During her husband’s second term as governor, Mrs. Sanford is enjoying spending more time in her most important role as mother of their four sons – Marshall, Landon, Bolton and Blake.

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