JO

Jennifer Owings

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 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
Cover image for Are You Speaking the Right Language? Leading and Giving Feedback Across Generations
Communication and SpeechLeadership PerspectivesHiring and Onboarding
Are You Speaking the Right Language? Leading and Giving Feedback Across Generations
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6"><strong>Are You Speaking the Right Language? Leading and Giving Feedback Across Generations</strong></h2><p class="mb-4">Have yo...
June 14, 2025Read article
Cover image for Bullying Breakers: Equipping Kids to Stand Up and Speak Out
EducationAdvocacy
Bullying Breakers: Equipping Kids to Stand Up and Speak Out
<p class="mb-4">I witness the complex realities of bullying in schools every day. While the word “bullying” is frequently used, it is often misunderst...
June 10, 2025Read article
Cover image for From Brooklyn to Harvard: Building Global Bridges Through Diverse Classrooms
EducationLeadership PerspectivesUnderserved Populations
From Brooklyn to Harvard: Building Global Bridges Through Diverse Classrooms
<p class="mb-4">I will never forget the frigid January in Canarsie, Brooklyn, when several visibly shaken students entered my high school classroom ju...
May 29, 2025Read article
Cover image for Reading the Trust Thermometer: Gauging the Health of Municipal Teams
Leadership Perspectives
Reading the Trust Thermometer: Gauging the Health of Municipal Teams
<h2 class="mb-4 mt-6">The Crucial Role of Trust in Municipal Teams</h2><p class="mb-4">In the context of municipal management, the significance of tru...
May 21, 2025Read article
Cover image for Turning the Summer Slide into a Reading Rollercoaster
EducationYouth Services
Turning the Summer Slide into a Reading Rollercoaster
<p class="mb-4">Typically during the springtime, I find myself engaging with parents who are curious and eager to hear strategies to support their rel...
May 15, 2025Read article
Cover image for Relationships as Bank Accounts: A Guide to Compound Interest in Human Connection
EducationLeadership Perspectives
Relationships as Bank Accounts: A Guide to Compound Interest in Human Connection
<p class="mb-4">As a school building administrator, I often find myself reflecting on the intricate web of relationships that sustains and propels our...
April 26, 2025Read article
Cover image for Steering Through Shifts: Proven Strategies for Leading Teams in Transition
Leadership Perspectives
Steering Through Shifts: Proven Strategies for Leading Teams in Transition
<p class="mb-4">Have you ever faced your team with news of a major change and wondered how to guide them through uncertainty while preserving trust an...
April 25, 2025Read article
Cover image for Unlocking Potential: The Case for Distributed Leadership
EducationLeadership Perspectives
Unlocking Potential: The Case for Distributed Leadership
<p class="mb-4">As a building administrator in Brooklyn, NYC, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of distributed leadership in schools...
April 23, 2025Read article
Cover image for Mastering Salary Negotiations for Municipal Jobs: Insights from the Interviewer's Side
Leadership Perspectives
Mastering Salary Negotiations for Municipal Jobs: Insights from the Interviewer's Side
<p class="mb-4">As someone who regularly interviews candidates for agency positions with posted salary ranges—often from $55,000 to $109,000—I’ve witn...
April 19, 2025Read article
Cover image for The Art of the List: Turning Tasks into Triumphs
Work Life BalanceLeadership Perspectives
The Art of the List: Turning Tasks into Triumphs
<p class="mb-4">Over 20 years ago, I found myself in a frustrating pattern: I was dropping the ball on tasks here and there, forgetting small but impo...
April 17, 2025Read article
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