Testimonials

A group of four professionals collaborate before a speaking session in an office, sitting around a white table with laptops, notebooks, and drinks.

Wendell Joseph, Associate AIA

I've had the pleasure of calling Jen a colleague/friend for nearly a decade, from our time at the City of Cambridge to her role as ED of the Sasaki Foundation. She's never too far from the frontlines of community development work, which speaks to her values, the strengths of the relationships she's built, and the trust her friends and colleagues have in her. I strongly believe that design happens in community and Jen's consistency in working towards more representative engagement in planning and designing has always been a source of inspiration for me!

Saladin (Sal) Islam

I’ve known Jen Lawrence for nearly two decades. I first met her at Groundwork Somerville when I was a teen employee serving in the Green Team and she was the Executive Director of the nonprofit. She immediately saw potential in me and became a lifelong mentor throughout my growth and development. Since then we’ve worked together in multiple capacities: as colleagues at the City of Cambridge, a funder at the Sasaki Foundation, and later as a trusted partner at EventThem, and I’ve seen the same qualities in every role.

Jen brings unwavering positivity, clear strategic thinking, and a talent for turning complex problems into practical solutions. When we served together as volunteers on the Board of Groundwork Somerville, she led the organization through its most difficult period, guiding us through an executive transition, legal challenges, and the urgent fundraising needed to keep staff and operations intact. Her leadership and perseverance inspired the Board to go above and beyond and increased our collective impact. She has a rare, magnetic energy that inspires others to give more than they thought possible.

With deep cross‑sector experience in municipal government, nonprofits, philanthropy, and the private sector, Jen has the skills to meet the needs of any organization. I was lucky to have crossed paths with her and I'm sure others would be just as fortunate to have the same experience. Her mentorship has been a major factor in my own career advancement: from a young person with potential to a high-functioning consultant and now Executive Director. I would recommend her without hesitation.