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Jennifer Owings

Chief Operating Officer at CityGov

Jennifer Owings is a values-driven transformational leader with a mission to empower others to reach their fullest potential. With over 25 years as an educator and public-school administrator, Jennifer's focus is providing equitable access, opportunities, and developing innovative, creative solution-oriented policies, with a strong focus on underserved populations. Leveraging her Harvard education and insights from decades of service to various communities, Jennifer remains passionate about fostering sustainable relationships to support the success of others. Outside of her role as the Chief Operating Officer of CityGov Insights, Jennifer is an avid marathon runner and educational coach, channeling her drive and discipline into every aspect of her life. Jennifer values community activism and advocacy initiatives that bridge civic engagement with grassroots impact. She coordinated charity 5K races and sponsored running programs at local schools to promote youth wellness and leadership. She facilitated a student-led campaign that secured over $2 million for the renovation of the Red Hook footbridge over the BQE, which ultimately improved pedestrian safety and connectivity. A champion of ecological activism, she organized bike-to-school/work initiatives, supported various Green Team leadership clubs that secured grants for sustainability projects, and partnered with environmental organizations for beach cleanups. These projects reflect her commitment to equitable access, community stewardship, and collaborative problem-solving –strategic assets she employs as the COO of CityGov to operationalize municipal policies that bridge institutional expertise with grassroots needs.

Articles

Cover image for "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”
Communication and Speech
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”
<p class="mb-4">This final sentence from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s <em>The Great Gatsby</em> captures the ineffable essence of tension between aspiration ...
January 13, 2026Read article
Cover image for Drowning in Data: The Psychology Behind Technostress at Work
Leadership Perspectives
Drowning in Data: The Psychology Behind Technostress at Work
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">Understanding the Roots of Technostress</h2><p class="mb-4">When I sent one of my staff members to a training session to learn a...
January 8, 2026Read article
Cover image for From Stretchy Pants to Spreadsheets: Rebooting Your Life After the Holidays
Work Life Balance
From Stretchy Pants to Spreadsheets: Rebooting Your Life After the Holidays
<p class="mb-4">Welcome back, friend. The holidays (or vacations) are over, and so is your brief relationship with relaxation and spontaneous joy. But...
January 5, 2026Read article
Cover image for Time Is the Real Bonus: Reserving Your Best Energy for the Ones You Love
Leadership Perspectives
Time Is the Real Bonus: Reserving Your Best Energy for the Ones You Love
<p class="mb-4">Yesterday was the last "meeting" of the year. But it wasn't a typical meeting. The room was decorated with care, lunch was catered, an...
December 24, 2025Read article
Cover image for The Responsibility-Authority Gap in Leadership Roles
Leadership Perspectives
The Responsibility-Authority Gap in Leadership Roles
<p class="mb-4">I recall many times when I was held accountable for increasing student performance metrics while serving as an Assistant Principal at ...
December 10, 2025Read article
Cover image for Leadership Through Simplicity: Lessons from Jiffy Cornbread
Leadership Perspectives
Leadership Through Simplicity: Lessons from Jiffy Cornbread
<p class="mb-4">As Thanksgiving approaches and kitchens across America fill with the clatter of pans, it’s worth pausing to consider the leadership le...
November 26, 2025Read article
Cover image for AI Released a Hit Song And Nobody Even Noticed: What Happens Next?
Artificial IntelligenceEducation
AI Released a Hit Song And Nobody Even Noticed: What Happens Next?
<p class="mb-4">On November 8th the country music song “Walk My Walk” didn’t just go viral - it moonwalked up the Billboard charts. The artist? Breaki...
November 18, 2025Read article
Cover image for Planning Your 30-Second Video: From Concept to Script
Media and MessagingTheatre and the Arts
Planning Your 30-Second Video: From Concept to Script
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">Planning Your 30-Second Video: From Concept to Script</h2><p class="mb-4">Before you hit record, take time to shape your message...
November 8, 2025Read article
Cover image for Who Should Lead AI in Education—and How to Do It Right
EducationArtificial Intelligence
Who Should Lead AI in Education—and How to Do It Right
<p class="mb-4">The successful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into education demands leadership that bridges policy, pedagogy, and techno...
October 17, 2025Read article
Cover image for Are Educators Failing Students by Ignoring AI Literacy?
EducationArtificial Intelligence
Are Educators Failing Students by Ignoring AI Literacy?
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">Why AI Literacy Must Begin in the Classroom</h2><p class="mb-4">True story. Decades ago when the internet was in its infancy, on...
October 17, 2025Read article
Cover image for If Everything is a Priority, What Truly Matters?
Leadership PerspectivesProfessional Development and Training
If Everything is a Priority, What Truly Matters?
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">When Everything is a Priority, Nothing Is</h2><p class="mb-4">The statement, "everything is a priority," may seem like a call fo...
October 13, 2025Read article
Cover image for Navigating Hot Topics at Work: Lessons on Professional Etiquette
Leadership PerspectivesEducationCommunication and Speech
Navigating Hot Topics at Work: Lessons on Professional Etiquette
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">Why Workplace Conversations Matter</h2><p class="mb-4">Having spent decades in diverse workplaces, I’ve seen firsthand how raw a...
September 27, 2025Read article
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