Irena Dragaš Jansen grew up in a Christian family in communist Yugoslavia. As Yugoslavia fell apart and the war raged, she and her family were driven from their home and spent four years as refugees. Towards the end of that time, Irena attended a university in the United States where she studied English Literature and Bible. 

Upon graduation, she returned to the newly independent Croatia where she helped develop a Christian non-profit organization and served as director for thirteen years. In 2010, she moved to the United States and now lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Scott. 

Irena continues to do program and resource development for non-profits and social enterprises in Europe and the United States and travels often to her beloved homeland. 

She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in art history at George Mason University. In addition to her writing, she has also coauthored several interactive art installations and continues to work on projects exploring the power of art and faith. 

Together with her friend, Nancy Sawyer Schraeder, Irena is writing a book called Path Stops for the Middle.