Jennifer Owens

Jennifer Owens has been a long-time leader in Georgia’s nonprofit sector with a specific focus on systems- change, policy and organizational development. She helped seed the early stages of Georgia’s now flourishing farm-to-school movement and led the policy work focused on school wellness as a director at Georgia Organics. She has also been integral in municipal-level work to establish protections for community gardens, urban farms and farmers markets, and strategies to increase access to fresh produce.

Jennifer joined the HealthMPowers team from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute where she served as Senior Vice President. During her tenure, she oversaw the expansion of the organization’s operations and programs focusing on equity, health, the safety net, K-12 and post-secondary education, child care and fiscal policy issues. She launched and managed education campaigns focused on SNAP, the earned income tax credit and the need for more support for Georgia’s working families, including child care and food assistance. Jennifer brings nearly two decades of experience in policy research and advocacy, community organizing, communications, fundraising, organizational development, and leadership.

Jennifer is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia and is an avid college football fan, novice urban farmer, and untrained cook. She is active in her community, serving as a coach for the local Odyssey of the Mind team to engage youth in creative problem-solving, a volunteer with a community task force serving the Buford Highway corridor, and has held appointed positions on the City of Brookhaven’s Affordable Housing Task Force, Charter Review Commission and Zoning Rewrite Committee. Prior board service includes We Love BuHi, Georgia Women for a Change, Faith in Public Life, and Girls Opportunities for Adventure and Leadership (GOAL).

She currently serves as the Councilwoman for District 2 in the City of Brookhaven.