Jessica Smith Lennan

she/her
Deputy Director,
11th Street Bridge Park
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Jessica G. Smith Lennan is the Deputy Director of the 11th Street Bridge Park, a project of Building Bridges Across the River. She leads the external relations and community engagement strategies for multi-sector initiatives to advance equitable and community driven development in Washington.

As a native Washingtonian, she is passionate about creating greater economic opportunity through inclusive development and having resources that allow current Washington residents east of the Anacostia river to live in healthy and vibrant communities. As a Ward 7 resident, she served on the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Citizen Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments raising awareness of transportation needs unique to residents living east of the Anacostia River. Jessica also serves on the Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative Steering Committee working with other community organizations to remove barriers that prevents residents from connecting to the park and river.

Prior to joining the Bridge Park, Jessica worked with the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District. As the Placemaking and Events Manager, she promoted economic growth and sustainability initiatives through programming and advocated for the needs of the community and local businesses. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.

Workshop facilitator: Community First Toolkit Build Partnerships