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CEcD Jennifer Owens
President, Lakeshore Advantage
Jennifer Owens is the President of Lakeshore Advantage, an economic development organization serving the Ottawa and Allegan counties in West Michigan. She has held this position since 2014, focusing on business attraction, expansion, and retention services. Under her leadership, Lakeshore Advantage has successfully supported over 200 business expansion projects, significantly contributing to the region's economic growth.15
Owens has over 20 years of experience in economic development, having previously worked in various roles including Vice President at Southwest Michigan First and Principal at Consultant Connect. Her background also includes key positions at Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Journalism and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Baker College.124
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Owens has been recognized for her contributions to the field, including being named Newsmaker of the Year for startups and innovation by Crain's.56 Her expertise lies in vision and strategy-setting for economic development initiatives, making her a prominent figure in the region's business landscape.23
