Jana was born and raised in the Czech Republic. She moved to the United States with her husband shortly before giving birth to her first child. As her child turned 3 months old she started an Associates in Arts Degree in Sociology at Foothill Community College. Using a transfer program she enrolled at San Jose State University and went on to complete a Bachelors Degree in Sociology, while also giving birth to two more children and working part time at the San Jose State University Library. She further completed a Masters program in Sociology and a Masters Program in Urban Planning. Following her studies she became a lecturer in Sociology at San Jose State University, and started working for the Planning department of the City of Livermore.