By: Amanda Huntsman

Photography Credit: Adrienne Encinias Photography, Location Credit: Roger’s Gardens

Celebrating Legacy, Love, and Community

For Jacqueline Bridgford Poulsen and Justin Poulsen, Orange County isn’t just where they live; it’s where their story began generations ago. With family ties stretching back more than a century, both have deep connections to the area. Jacqueline’s lineage dates to 1865 and Justin’s to 1898. Today, the couple proudly carries that legacy forward as they raise their young son, Charles (“Charlie”), in the community they’ve always called home.

A Shared History and a Modern Love Story

Though they grew up just a few houses apart in Newport Coast, Jacqueline and Justin’s paths never crossed as children. It wasn’t until years later, during the early days of the pandemic, that fate brought them together in an unexpected way: through Hinge.

At the time, both were living in Los Angeles. Justin had moved there in 2014 after graduating from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with a BFA in Film Production and launching his career at Lionsgate Entertainment. Jacqueline, a USC graduate with a B.A. in Communication from the Annenberg School, had been working in marketing and living in Beverly Hills while pursuing her M.S. in Marketing from USC’s Marshall School of Business.

Their first two dates were over Zoom, the only way to connect in those uncertain days, but it didn’t take long to realize how intertwined their lives already were. They shared mutual friends, family ties and an enduring love for Newport Beach traditions, from Balboa Bars on Balboa Island to watching the Christmas Boat Parade with loved ones.

After a year and a half of dating, Justin proposed at the downtown Los Angeles social club where Jacqueline worked, and in May 2023, they were married at Saint Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica. Their elegant reception followed in the Crystal Ballroom of The Beverly Hills Hotel — a day filled with family, faith and the kind of timeless celebration that reflected their shared values and lifelong connection to Southern California.

This spring, they welcomed their son, Charlie, born in March 2025 in Newport Beach. The Poulsens are now joyfully preparing for his baptism at Our Lady Queen of Angels, their home parish, in early 2026.

Education, Career, and Community

Jacqueline’s professional path has been defined by creativity and connection. With a background in marketing across industries, including hospitality, private clubs, real estate and beauty, she’s worked for respected names like The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The California Club, Irvine Company and Evolus, Inc.

Today, Jacqueline has embraced her most meaningful role yet — being a stay-at-home mom. “Motherhood has been the most rewarding, fulfilling and deeply humbling experience,” she shares. “Even with just one little one for now, I’m constantly learning and discovering a deeper sense of purpose and joy each day.”

Her admiration for her own mother, Susan, who raised five children and has been married to Jacqueline’s father, Richard, for 37 years, inspires her daily. That legacy of strong family values and community involvement continues through Jacqueline’s work with Harvesters, a philanthropic group founded in 1992 that has raised nearly $20 million for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. “It’s a cause close to my heart,” she says, "especially since my mom was one of the group’s earliest members and remains active today.”

Justin’s career began in the entertainment industry at Lionsgate Entertainment, where he rose to Senior Director of Content Operations & Strategy over nearly a decade. During that time, he also earned an Executive Master of Urban Planning from USC’s Price School. In 2024, he pivoted toward a lifelong passion -- real estate development, joining his family’s Costa Mesa–based firm.

“Working in real estate with my family allows me to be part of shaping Orange County’s story,” Justin shares. “Our developments aren’t just properties, they’re landmarks that have played a meaningful role in this community’s history.”

Faith, Family, and Giving Back

For Jacqueline and Justin, Newport Beach has always been more than a beautiful place to live; it’s home in the truest sense. They moved back in 2022, drawn by the desire to raise their family near their parents, siblings, and extended relatives.

Their days are filled with hosting friends, exploring local restaurants, taking long stroller walks with their 12-year-old dachshund-chihuahua mix, Maggie — whom Justin rescued in his 20s — and enjoying life’s simple pleasures as new parents.

Through Charlie’s early medical journey, they’ve also become passionate advocates for MiracleFeet, a nonprofit that provides life-changing clubfoot treatment for children worldwide. “Charlie was born with bilateral clubfoot,” Jacqueline explains. “We feel incredibly blessed for the care he’s received, and supporting MiracleFeet is one way we can help other families experience that same hope.”

The Poulsen family’s commitment to community extends beyond philanthropy. Justin’s family has a long-standing tradition of supporting the arts, particularly through the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and both he and Jacqueline remain active in their parish, Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Local Life and Lasting Traditions

Life in Newport Beach suits the Poulsens perfectly. From morning walks along the Back Bay to afternoons spent on Duffy rides or strolling Balboa Island, they take full advantage of the coastal lifestyle they grew up loving. They enjoy Pacific Symphony performances, meals at Chaupain Bakery, Ruby’s Diner and Knife Pleat, and shopping at South Coast Plaza, Lido Marina Village and The Red Balloon.

Their son Charlie already enjoys playdates with friends from The New Mom School in Newport Mesa, and the family’s days are happily filled with beach outings, family gatherings and new milestones.

A Message to The Community

“Newport Beach is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and it’s a gift we should never take for granted,” the couple shares. “We’re not only enjoying this incredible community today — we’re shaping the future for our children. Let’s continue to care for this place and one another with gratitude in our hearts, always remembering how truly blessed we are to call it home.”