Jennifer Werdell, Principal Consultant
Jennifer Werdell (she/her) walks alongside equity and justice-minded organizations in their journeys to become more adaptive, equitable, community-entered, and anti-racist.
Jen holds a B.A. from Amherst College and a J.D. from New York University. After kickstarting her legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and legal services attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group, Jen transitioned to nonprofit management and leadership development work and has remained in that space for over 15 years. She managed national initiatives for NPower, corporate volunteer programs for Microsoft, and public service fellowship programs for graduate students at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership.
While facilitating public interest and pro bono programs for Seattle University School of Law students, Jen started to coordinate an equity-focused statewide leadership development program for legal and community leaders (now called the “Leadership Academy”) as well as the Washington Race Equity & Justice Initiative (REJI). She then helped to create the nonprofit JustLead Washington as a home for REJI and the Leadership Academy and served as JustLead’s founding Executive Director from 2016 – 2022.
Since departing JustLead, Jen continues to provide leadership, equity, and anti-racism-focused training, coaching, facilitation, strategic planning, and program support, both independently and in collaboration with trusted consulting partners. Her depth and breadth of experience make her a valued and strategic partner, particularly for legal and social justice organizations. Specific areas of expertise include:
- Leadership, equity, and anti-racism-focused curriculum and program design
- Advising and coaching leaders and organizations on equity and anti-racism strategy
- Organizational equity assessments and equity-focused policy reviews
- Support for aligned consulting partners such as co-facilitation, content creation, and project/operational management.
Jen is based in Seattle, Washington, where she lives with her partner, her delightful children, and her stubborn but handsome dog George.
