JO

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 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
Cover image for No More Excuses: Mastering the Mindset for Radical Responsibility
EducationLeadership PerspectivesCommunication and Speech
No More Excuses: Mastering the Mindset for Radical Responsibility
<p class="mb-4">Excuses are easy, but they cost us more than we realize. I learned this firsthand when a trusted colleague asked if I had completed a ...
September 19, 2025Read article
Cover image for Supporting Kids Through Tragedy: Initiating Honest Conversations
EducationCommunication and SpeechHealth and Mental Wellness
Supporting Kids Through Tragedy: Initiating Honest Conversations
<p class="mb-4">This week, children across America flooded schools with backpacks full of books, snacks, and fears they could not name. After hearing ...
September 13, 2025Read article
Cover image for School Leadership Unplugged: The Daily Battle Between Urgent vs. Important
Education
School Leadership Unplugged: The Daily Battle Between Urgent vs. Important
<p class="mb-4">As a school building leader in the NYC DOE, I navigate a daily landscape shaped by unpredictability: hundreds of children, shifting ro...
August 28, 2025Read article
Cover image for Career Readiness Starts Early: Best Practices in Vocational Education
EducationYouth ServicesAdvocacy
Career Readiness Starts Early: Best Practices in Vocational Education
<p class="mb-4">A simple spark of career curiosity can unlock opportunities for our students—long before diplomas and degree paths enter the conversat...
August 16, 2025Read article
Cover image for Overcoming Barriers to Professional Learning Communities: A School Leader’s Guide to Lasting Impact
Education
Overcoming Barriers to Professional Learning Communities: A School Leader’s Guide to Lasting Impact
<p class="mb-4">As school leaders embark upon a new school year or semester, it is crucial to create sustainable professional learning communities for...
August 7, 2025Read article
Cover image for Unlock Your Best Self: The Synergy of Work, Life, and Ambitious Goals
Work Life BalanceHealth and Mental Wellness
Unlock Your Best Self: The Synergy of Work, Life, and Ambitious Goals
<p class="mb-4">While most of the city slept, you'd find me at 4:55 a.m., under the yellow glow of a NYC streetlamp stretching my calf muscles before ...
August 2, 2025Read article
Cover image for Rethinking Sustainability: Empowering Others for a Lasting Legacy
SustainabilityLeadership PerspectivesEducation
Rethinking Sustainability: Empowering Others for a Lasting Legacy
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">Beyond “Environmentally Friendly”</h2><p class="mb-4">As an educator-turned-entrepreneur, I have always believed that sustainabi...
July 6, 2025Read article
Cover image for From the Back Gate to the Front Office: Leading Schools as Communities
EducationLeadership Perspectives
From the Back Gate to the Front Office: Leading Schools as Communities
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6"><strong>Opening the Gate: A Morning in Brooklyn</strong></h2><p class="mb-4">It’s 6:00 a.m. in Brooklyn, and the city is still c...
July 4, 2025Read article
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