Janette Fennell, a proud graduate of Oshkosh High School’s Class of 1972, is the founder and president of Kids and Car Safety, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and fatalities of children in and around motor vehicles. A globally respected consumer advocate and a leading voice in child safety, Janette has made ground-breaking contributions to vehicle safety standards, saving countless lives.

During her time at Oshkosh High, Janette embraced every opportunity for academic and leadership growth. She served as Senior Class Treasurer, was active in Student Council, and was inducted into the O’Neil Honor Society. Her involvement in Pep Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and other organizations helped shape the teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills that would later define her professional journey. A pivotal moment came through the school’s co-op program, which placed her in a business setting—an experience that provided motivation and laid the foundation for her future career.

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Janette began a successful career at Eastman Kodak, where she received multiple promotions and relocated ten times across the country. She later held senior roles in sales and marketing at Nelnet Cares.

In 1995, Janette’s life was forever changed when she and her family were kidnapped and locked in the trunk of their own car. That traumatic experience became the catalyst for her life's mission—to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. Her campaign to make car trunks escapable led to the mandatory inclusion of phosphorescent trunk release mechanisms in all new vehicles as of 2002—a safety feature that continues to save lives. Remarkably, no one has died in a trunk equipped with this mechanism. Zero.

Janette’s tireless advocacy didn’t stop there. Her work has resulted in numerous critical safety features that are now standard in vehicles, including: rearview cameras, mandatory since 2018, which have led to an 80% reduction in child back-over deaths; endangered power window switches to prevent child strangulation; a requirement to press the brake before shifting out of park; and creating federal requirements for rear seat belt reminders. These victories, often decades in the making, have saved lives and changed the automotive industry forever.

As the nation’s leading authority on nontraffic incidents—one of the most under-recognized causes of child injuries and deaths—Janette has brought national and global attention to these hidden dangers. Her work has influenced legislators, regulatory policy, and automotive design worldwide. She is a trusted expert regularly called upon by Congress, the United Nations, the media, and major safety organizations. Her voice has reached millions through appearances on The Today Show, Oprah, Fox, CNN, Dateline, NPR, Good Morning America, and more, as well as through features in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Janette serves on the boards of several influential organizations, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and the California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health. Her tireless work has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including: the Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award (Consumer Federation of America), the Public Interest Award (Pediatric Highway Traffic Safety Administration), Annual Injury Prevention Award (American Academy of Pediatrics), and the U.S. Department of Transportation Safety’s highest honor for undertaking her lasting impact on public health, consumer safety, and injury prevention. She has also been named an Outstanding Alumna by both the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and its College of Business.

Janette Fennell’s lifelong dedication to vehicle and child safety has created a lasting legacy. Her work continues to protect children, families, and communities—and her impact will be felt for generations to come.