Community & Mentorship

Leadership beyond the org chart

I’ve always believed that how people learn, grow, and support one another matters as much as the work they produce.

Alongside my professional roles, I’ve spent years building and supporting creative communities. These spaces helped people strengthen confidence in their thinking, articulate decisions, and grow through shared experience.

This work is not separate from how I lead. It is where many of my values were shaped.

Impact at a Glance

  • Built environments where people could develop confidence in decision-making

  • Created spaces that encouraged open dialogue, peer learning, and mutual support

  • Supported career transitions by helping individuals articulate judgment and direction

  • Designed inclusive community programs that balanced structure with trust and participation

My Role

Within these communities, I served as a facilitator, mentor, and steward.

I designed programs and conversations that provided enough structure to support growth, while leaving room for dialogue, reflection, and independent thinking.

My role was never to be the expert in the room, but to create conditions where others could learn from one another and trust their own judgment.

A woman wearing glasses and a black dress speaking during a presentation or discussion in a room with attentive audience members.

Designing a community is no different from designing an experience. It starts with listening.

Designing a community is no different from designing an experience. It starts with listening.

Championing Women’s Voices Through SheSays Chicago

As Founder and Chapter Co-Director of SheSays Chicago, I launched and led the local chapter of an international organization supporting women across design, strategy, and technology.

What began as a small gathering grew into a vibrant creative community known for thoughtful programming, consistent engagement, and a strong sense of belonging.

Focus areas and contributions:

  • Built and scaled a community supporting thousands of members

  • Curated speakers, panels, and conversations centered on career growth and leadership

  • Facilitated mentorship and networking programs advancing women into leadership roles

  • Designed events focused on participation, dialogue, and peer support

Leading SheSays Chicago reinforced my belief that communities thrive when people feel seen, supported, and trusted to contribute.

Group of women and men sitting in a semi-circle during a discussion or workshop in a bright studio with brick walls and whiteboards covered with notes and diagrams.
“Jen’s leadership of SheSays Chicago was nothing short of transformative. Her enthusiasm and purpose created life-changing events that made everyone feel seen, valued, and inspired.”
— Trina Uzee, Head of B2B Design, Verizon

🏆 Award: Celebrating Women in Innovation, 2018 – Chicago Innovation

Recognized for making a measurable impact in advancing women’s leadership and creativity across Chicago’s design community.

“Jen has a rare gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel like they belong. Her SheSays events inspired, connected, and empowered Chicago’s creative community.”
— L’Oreal Thompson Payton, Author & Speaker

Redefining Mentorship at AIGA Chicago

My involvement with AIGA Chicago began as a mentor, supporting designers at every phase of their careers.

That experience led to six years of board leadership, first as Vice President of Mentorship and later as Vice President of Program Strategy. In these roles, I helped shape long-running programs focused on professional growth, shared learning, and community connection.

Focus areas and contributions:

  • Led mentorship programs connecting hundreds of mentors and mentees annually

  • Designed programming aligned with the chapter’s mission and values

  • Partnered with board members and volunteers to deliver sustainable, inclusive experiences

  • Helped evolve mentorship into a reciprocal, community-driven model

This progression shaped my approach to leadership today. Strong programs are built by listening first, then designing with intention and care.

Colorful wall with numerous sticky notes of various colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and white, surrounding large cut-out letters spelling 'AIGA CHI MENTOR' on a brown background.
Group of people standing in front of colorful graffiti mural on a brick wall, depicting a cartoon goblin character with green skin, glasses, and a pickaxe.
Book cover titled 'Conversations with the World's Most Creative People' by Debbie Millman with a white background and red text. The cover features black scribbles and circles, and is set against a background with black lines and text indicating a virtual event in Chicago, hosted by AIGA.
A woman with red glasses and a name tag pointing at a sign for a mentorship workshop at a leadership retreat.
“It was wonderful to have a place to learn and receive unbiased and nonjudgemental feedback. Often, I feel insecure asking questions that may make me look uneducated. The whole purpose of my class was education and I felt very relaxed and safe asking away!”
— Mary McKeating, AIGA Mentor Program Participant
“It was a great way to connect with other designers who are members of AIGA but in a more intimate setting. It also gave me an opportunity to be creative and collaborative outside of my daily job.”
— Rebecca Macdonald, AIGA Mentor Program Participant

Outcomes

  • Supported designers and creatives through mentorship and community programming

  • Helped advance women into leadership roles through sustained community support

  • Contributed to SheSays Chicago receiving the Chicago Innovation Award for advancing women in innovation

  • Established mentorship and leadership programs designed to endure beyond individual tenure

WORK

Sam’s Clubhouse

Culture of Innovation

WORK

Glantz

Strategy Meets Creativity