Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence is the Founder & CEO of the Social Enterprise and Training Center, known as SEAT. Jennifer’s life work is about bringing love and opportunity to underrepresented young adults so that they can create and find their seat at the table. Jennifer is passionate about social entrepreneurship and loves to connect the business community with young people, to create community strengthening solutions. Her work includes the creation and launch of YouthBuild Schenectady in 2006, Train Up in 2016, and is excited about launching a new venture, the Be the Change Challenge, in 2020, all hosted within the SEAT umbrella.
Formerly the Vice President of Career Services at Northeast Parent & Child Society (NEPC) until 2015, Jennifer led the spin-off of the Career Services division, into a separate non-profit organization, now known as SEAT Center. Today, with a total organizational budget of $2.3m, and a staff of twenty-three, SEAT’s footprint has significantly expanded in serving young people throughout the greater Capital Region.
Jennifer earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work Administration from Fordham University and attended the University at Albany Executive MBA program. Jennifer is a graduate of the American Express Leadership Institute/ Center for Creative Leadership and was a 2009-2011 YouthBuild USA Director Fellow. She is currently President of YouthBuild USA’s National Director Association and serves on the Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council. Jennifer has presented nationally and locally on youth workforce, leadership, and management. Jennifer was the 2015 YouthBuild USA National Director of the Year; 2016 NYS Women of Distinction honoree; and 2018 recipient of the Resourceful Woman of the Year in Management award from the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region.
Jennifer lives in Schenectady with her son, Anthony. Jennifer’s love of being a mom, cooking, and travelling, extends into opening her home and heart throughout the years to raise children who have become part of her family and as a host parent for international students.
United Way's Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year award recognizes an individual who has positively impacted our community.
Join us on June 24th when we reveal this year’s Philanthropist of the Year!