Jennifer Downing
Executive Director at New Bedford Ocean Cluster- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Brian McNeany
Engaging. Empathetic. Energetic. Those are just some of the words I would use to describe Jennifer, who is a simply phenomenal leader, facilitator, and mentor. I had the pleasure of both being part of the Leadership South Coast program under Jennifer's direction, and we then collaborated afterwards on a partnership with Pinnacle Performance. Jen has a natural ability to partner with teams and help them discover their true potential by accentuating their strengths and providing the right resources where needed. The work she has done with LSC has made it a crucial pillar within the Southeastern Massachusetts community, and has created a rich environment where emerging leaders can thrive. She is exceptional at what she does!
Sarah Athanas
I had the pleasure of attending Leadership South Coast under Jennifer's lead as Executive Director. I was so impressed with the program's organization, and the depth of the content presented. Jennifer works tirelessly with stakeholders and leaders across disciplines to create programming that is meaningful and relevant to the current issues in our region. She has great talent for bringing different personalities together and facilitating productive conversations. She is also an excellent leader, ready to step to the front when needed, and perceptive about when to take a step back and let other voices shine through. Jennifer inspires me to be a more thoughtful and purposeful leader in my own work.
Brian McNeany
Engaging. Empathetic. Energetic. Those are just some of the words I would use to describe Jennifer, who is a simply phenomenal leader, facilitator, and mentor. I had the pleasure of both being part of the Leadership South Coast program under Jennifer's direction, and we then collaborated afterwards on a partnership with Pinnacle Performance. Jen has a natural ability to partner with teams and help them discover their true potential by accentuating their strengths and providing the right resources where needed. The work she has done with LSC has made it a crucial pillar within the Southeastern Massachusetts community, and has created a rich environment where emerging leaders can thrive. She is exceptional at what she does!
Sarah Athanas
I had the pleasure of attending Leadership South Coast under Jennifer's lead as Executive Director. I was so impressed with the program's organization, and the depth of the content presented. Jennifer works tirelessly with stakeholders and leaders across disciplines to create programming that is meaningful and relevant to the current issues in our region. She has great talent for bringing different personalities together and facilitating productive conversations. She is also an excellent leader, ready to step to the front when needed, and perceptive about when to take a step back and let other voices shine through. Jennifer inspires me to be a more thoughtful and purposeful leader in my own work.
Brian McNeany
Engaging. Empathetic. Energetic. Those are just some of the words I would use to describe Jennifer, who is a simply phenomenal leader, facilitator, and mentor. I had the pleasure of both being part of the Leadership South Coast program under Jennifer's direction, and we then collaborated afterwards on a partnership with Pinnacle Performance. Jen has a natural ability to partner with teams and help them discover their true potential by accentuating their strengths and providing the right resources where needed. The work she has done with LSC has made it a crucial pillar within the Southeastern Massachusetts community, and has created a rich environment where emerging leaders can thrive. She is exceptional at what she does!
Sarah Athanas
I had the pleasure of attending Leadership South Coast under Jennifer's lead as Executive Director. I was so impressed with the program's organization, and the depth of the content presented. Jennifer works tirelessly with stakeholders and leaders across disciplines to create programming that is meaningful and relevant to the current issues in our region. She has great talent for bringing different personalities together and facilitating productive conversations. She is also an excellent leader, ready to step to the front when needed, and perceptive about when to take a step back and let other voices shine through. Jennifer inspires me to be a more thoughtful and purposeful leader in my own work.
Brian McNeany
Engaging. Empathetic. Energetic. Those are just some of the words I would use to describe Jennifer, who is a simply phenomenal leader, facilitator, and mentor. I had the pleasure of both being part of the Leadership South Coast program under Jennifer's direction, and we then collaborated afterwards on a partnership with Pinnacle Performance. Jen has a natural ability to partner with teams and help them discover their true potential by accentuating their strengths and providing the right resources where needed. The work she has done with LSC has made it a crucial pillar within the Southeastern Massachusetts community, and has created a rich environment where emerging leaders can thrive. She is exceptional at what she does!
Sarah Athanas
I had the pleasure of attending Leadership South Coast under Jennifer's lead as Executive Director. I was so impressed with the program's organization, and the depth of the content presented. Jennifer works tirelessly with stakeholders and leaders across disciplines to create programming that is meaningful and relevant to the current issues in our region. She has great talent for bringing different personalities together and facilitating productive conversations. She is also an excellent leader, ready to step to the front when needed, and perceptive about when to take a step back and let other voices shine through. Jennifer inspires me to be a more thoughtful and purposeful leader in my own work.
Credentials
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
USF Corporate Training and Professional EducationMay, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Change Management Professional
Acuity InstituteDec, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 200
Yoga Alliance
Experience
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New Bedford Ocean Cluster
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United States
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Maritime
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1 - 100 Employee
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Executive Director
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Jan 2022 - Present
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is a newly-established nonprofit organization created to serve the maritime business community in the greater New Bedford region. The NBOC will work collaboratively with a range of private sector, public sector and academic partners to establish New Bedford as the leading ocean economy on the East Coast. This shall be done through a dynamic approach combining recruitment of targeted businesses, creation of unique economic infrastructure, workforce development, and support for homegrown ocean economy companies. The NBOC has four pillars that reflect the blue economy in New Bedford: 1) Aquaculture 2) Commercial Fishing & Processing 3) Innovation & Technology 4) Offshore Renewable Energy Show less
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Buzzards Bay Coalition
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United States
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Environmental Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President, Engagement
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Dec 2020 - Jan 2022
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Leadership SouthCoast
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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Executive Director
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Nov 2014 - Nov 2020
• Lead annual, ten-month community leadership program for 30-35 participants representing private, nonprofit, and public organizations. • Launched first-ever alumni engagement strategy for an expanding network of over 380. • Designed and introduced new formats and curriculum to program, emphasizing experiential learning and strengths-based leadership. • Manage team of over 30 alumni who serve on committees to support programmatic and organizational goals. • Work in partnership with Board of Directors; prepare and facilitate bi-monthly Board of Directors’ meetings to report on finances and organizational progress. • Lead program recruitment efforts, bringing an average of 8-10 new organizations from the community to the program annually. • Represent the organization on external task forces and committees, including the Mayor’s Regeneration Committee and New Bedford Lyceum. • Conducted overhaul of program operations and integrated key internal structures and procedures, professionalizing and increasing demand for the program. Show less
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Garfield Foundation
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United States
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Philanthropy
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Program Officer & Operations Manager
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2001 - 2014
• Managed grant portfolio focused on economic and community revitalization projects in Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts. • Prepared funding recommendations for Board of Directors on a quarterly basis, including conducting due diligence, preparing grants docket, and making presentations. • Conducted regular site visits with grantees, and evaluated and reported on grantee effectiveness. • Facilitated grantee convenings and assisted in the development of cross-sector partnerships related the Foundation’s interests. • Worked with Executive Director to develop and monitor annual operating budget. • Responsible for all operational and grants management processes to support staff, consultants, board, and grantee partners. Show less
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Education
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Union Institute & University
Master of Arts (M.A.), Leadership, Public Policy & Social Issues -
Marymount Manhattan College
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Community
