Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Evans.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path here has been anything but linear, and I’m grateful for every step of it. I began my career in veterinary medicine and animal welfare, where I gained deep experience in nonprofit work, community-based care, and advocacy. That foundation eventually led me into the corporate world, where I served in a couple of roles one being the lead for a global colleague resource group. Through that role, I spent a lot of time in global spaces focused on belonging and equity, and it’s also where I crossed paths with my now-partner, Penelope. I was living in Texas, she was in Michigan. It’s a tale as old as time. Yes, I U-hauled…but only after a year and a half of long-distance dating, which I take great pride in.
When I moved to Michigan, I knew no one but my cat Pacey (aka Prince of Kitty Town). Community has always been essential to who I am, so I did what I know best: I volunteered. I reached out to Out On The Lakeshore, shared my strengths, and offered my time. That volunteer work quickly turned into creating programs, building partnerships, and doing outreach across the community. All of that eventually led to the opportunity to step into the Executive Director role, and truly, it felt like all the stars aligned.
I’ve now been in Michigan for two years and have served as Executive Director of Out On The Lakeshore for just over a year. In that time, we’ve completed an incredible year of building an entirely new foundation for the organization, strengthening programs, systems, partnerships, and trust. It’s been nothing short of amazing, and I owe so much of that success to our volunteers and our operations manager. I also completed a nonprofit leadership certification through Indiana University in 2025, which helped sharpen the vision we’re now carrying forward.
I genuinely believe people can manifest meaningful work and meaningful lives. Looking back, my entire journey feels like proof of that, and I’m incredibly excited for what 2026 holds for Out On The Lakeshore and the community we serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, though there have been some incredible milestones along the way. Overall, the journey has been deeply meaningful and rewarding, but there have absolutely been moments that felt rocky. Leaving my community in Texas was harder than I expected. I didn’t realize just how deeply rooted that place was in me until I left. Side note, kind of funny, kind of not, I genuinely went to a Texas Roadhouse here just to see the Texas flag again. That’s when I knew how much I missed home.
Beyond the move itself, blending a new family together comes with its own set of challenges, and navigating that alongside building a new professional and community life takes patience and grace. There have also been broader obstacles, political, social, and cultural, that impact how this work shows up day to day. West Michigan is known as a more conservative area, which means we’re very thoughtful about how we communicate, how we build trust, and how we create connection.
Community is everything to us. We are intentional about creating space where people feel heard, valued, and safe, while holding firm boundaries around dignity and zero tolerance for hate. It hasn’t always been easy, but the process of learning, adapting, and showing up with care has shaped both me and this work in powerful ways.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the heart of my work is building community that actually feels like community. I specialize in creating structures/spaces that help people feel seen, safe, and connected, whether that’s through programming, storytelling, human skills development, or long-term sustainability planning. Much of what I’m known for (in my own mind) is taking big, sometimes messy ideas and turning them into tangible, people-centered systems that work in real life.
What I’m most proud of is being a part of Out On The Lakeshore stabilizing and find its footing during a period of board and leadership transition, and then using that momentum to clearly define where we’re headed. It’s been incredibly meaningful to create a shared vision, set tangible goals, and build a strong foundation that centers people, belonging, and sustainable momentum.
What sets me apart is my ability to lead with both heart and structure. I deeply believe in empathy, storytelling, and human connection, but I also believe those things thrive best when they’re supported by clear direction, thoughtful systems, and accountability. Building community is my specialty, and I care deeply about doing this work in a way that is inclusive, grounded, and built to last
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most essential to my success is compassionate steadiness. I lead with empathy, kindness, and care for people, while also holding firm boundaries and clear goals. I believe deeply in meeting people where they are, but not staying stuck there.
That balance of a soft front and a strong back allows me to listen fully, lead with humanity, and still make the decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outonthelakeshore.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outonthelakeshore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outonthelakeshore
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions/UCid7H2grmhOgAdcxR6lxoAA
