​

​Luckiest Girl in the World: Retired Early, Earning a PhD, Loving Life as Grandma, and Being My Own Boss

​

Jacqueline S. Chandler is a strategic communication professional, PhD candidate, and business owner based in Pensacola, Florida. After spending eight years in Juneau, Alaska, she relocated to Florida in 2026 following her retirement from more than 20 years of federal service with agencies including FEMA and the U.S. Forest Service.

​

As the owner of Bear Necessities Communication, Jacqueline serves as a fractional communication partner for organizations seeking strategic communication support, content development, stakeholder engagement, executive visibility, and audience-centered messaging. She is the creator of the ACSE Framework™ (Audience-Centered, Context-Aware, Simplicity-Driven, Engagement-Focused), a communication model developed through decades of professional practice and doctoral research.

​

Jacqueline is currently completing her PhD in Communication at the University of North Dakota, where her dissertation research focuses on validating the ACSE Framework™ as an evidence-based approach to strategic communication. She graduates on May 15, 2027.

​

Outside of work and research, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her growing family. She is a proud grandmother to her energetic granddaughter, Winona, who is nearly two years old, and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a second granddaughter in October 2026. Whether consulting with clients, writing, researching, or planning her next adventure, Jacqueline remains passionate about helping people and organizations communicate with clarity, purpose, and impact.