This series is dedicated to introducing and celebrating the participants of the ACL+ 2021 program. Each week, we will focus on one of our leaders, sharing a little bit about them and what motivates them to explore community leadership in Niagara.
Jennifer Douglas is an experienced stakeholder and community engagement lead. She profoundly cares about the vitality, success, and health of communities.
Jennifer’s professional journey has focused on economic and community development. She is passionate about creating sustained momentum that makes us a stronger, more resilient community. Jennifer has more than 10 years of experience managing projects, events and developing community partnerships in Niagara. She has held a variety of leadership roles focused on a united approach to service delivery.
Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from Brock University and a Diploma in Recreation & Leisure Services from Niagara College. Jennifer Douglas is a recipient of the 2018 Niagara 40 under 40 Business Achievement Award, which is given to individuals who consistently make their mark in business and regularly contribute to their respective communities.
I am personally motivated to explore civic leadership as I believe it is my duty as a resident to meaningfully contribute to my community and make a difference. I hope to inspire children at a young age to understand their own superpowers and ability to be the change while instilling the importance of helping our community.
I believe the opportunity we are being faced with is community health and wellbeing; this has expanded further since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I feel there is an opportunity for residents to take inventory of what truly matters in their lives and understand that every helping hand can make a difference. When having these discussions with my young son about community contributions – I always use the phrase “give what you can with what you have” – that will look different for everyone. Still, if everyone lived by giving what they can, we would initiate momentum in a positive forward motion. Time is one thing we all have, and we give our time; it is a part of our life that we give to someone else to help them flourish.
I have been doing a lot of inner work in the arena of mindfulness and meditation. I have worked towards intentionally starting and ending my days with certain practices and sharing in these rituals with my son and by myself. I wish to seek first to understand and confidently communicate my perspective. I want to continue to strengthen my own resilience to impact an ever-changing world positively.