Testimonials for Jennifer Lee

I had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Jennifer for a number of years . . . I was Board President, she was Executive Director . . . and the first word that comes to mind when I think about her in this role is passion.  Jennifer was deeply committed to fulfilling the mission of the organization in the most upbeat, positive, creative ways possible.  She was inspiring and supportive of staff and volunteers but also never shied away from rolling up her sleeves and jumping fully into the frontline work herself.  I always knew I could count on Jennifer to develop the vision, lay out the plan, and get the job done.  Her passion, drive, and positive approach made her a truly wonderful partner.

Jeff F.

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Working closely with Jennifer over the past twenty years, I have had the opportunity to see her use extraordinary organizational and communication skills in the direction and cultivation of non-profit organizations, especially the Clarke County Historical Association and the American Conservation Film Festival. Her many creative talents and dedicated commitment to the task at hand was always evident and inspiring to her colleagues, co-workers and employers. Her writing skills are notable, and resulted in the creation of inaugural newsletters for several community organizations serving both educational and development functions. The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center was particularly well served in this regard.

Jennifer led the Historical Association through a challenging period involving a renovation of the museum and construction of exhibits, and adopted software and procedures to strengthen what was to become a highly successful regional art show serving both the community of artists while providing funding to sustain the Association. Her work at the American Conservation Film Festival and its Filmmakers Workshop was a testament to her ability to coordinate multiple resources and recently to chart a course during a pandemic period.

Through it all, Jennifer maintains a warm but professional demeanor, always demonstrating the ability to work with others. Her personal skills, authenticity and the respect she gives to those around her continue to serve both her and those organizations with which she is associated.

Michael H.

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Jennifer Lee brings a wealth of experience, creativity, determination, leadership, and good old-fashioned charm to whatever she undertakes. I’ve worked with her on non-profit boards, and I was president of a board she worked for, and whether the task at hand was putting together a huge semi-annual art show or diving into the weeds of a performing-arts center, Jen always got the job done and was inspiring company in the bargain.

Howard M.

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I have known Jennifer since early in her tenure as Development & Communications Director, American Conservation Film Festival (ACCF), Shepherdstown, WV. Subsequently, particularly while she served as Executive Director, ACCF, I was a frequent member of her varied audiences, and through shared interests in non-profits and philanthropies in a variety of sectors, I have enjoyed opportunities to collaborate with and learn from Jennifer.

Jennifer has consistently impressed me by her curiosity, her desire to learn, and her commitment to continuous personal development. She effectively applies her “learnings” to the ongoing evolution of competencies and skills to lead and serve her constituencies of organizations and their attendees, subscribers, students, and professionals – and to their successes. While Jennifer’s career has been centered on leading, supporting, and communications on behalf of organizations in environment, history, and the arts, she has demonstrated the ability to flexibly translate her desire to develop new competencies and skills to other fields.

Jennifer impresses me by her professionalism, attention to high personal and organizational ethical standards, realistic enthusiasm, deliverable expectations, strong written and spoken (including listening!) communication skills, and collegiality. By these attributes she has developed skills to effectively lead diverse teams, develop clear strategies, and implement impactful plans for success. At the same time, I admire Jennifer for her humbly acknowledging that successes and failures have influenced her awareness and understanding of how to enhance likelihood of success, and influenced her interactions, relationships, and partnerships.

Michael S.

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I first met Jennifer Lee in 2009 when she was working for the Blue Ridge wildlife center. She arranged a hawk release that was to take place where I lived at the time. It was a perfect location, a beautiful day and a wonderful event. I came to realize, over the years of working with Jen both professionally and personally, as she has become a dear friend., that it was no coincidence that this event was perfect in every way.

Jennifer is a curator in every sense of the word. This, in my opinion, is her art. She knows how to create an experience for people that is comfortable, unique, educational, and unforgettable. She knows every aspect of how to make it all work, the food, the music, the decor, the lighting , the speakers, the logistics, all of it. She knows this because she is an observer a doer. She has the soul of an artist and yet she is practical. She is hard working and her work, from wildlife conservation, to the arts, to bringing the community together to have a shared experience, has been invaluable, and will continue to be so.

Morgan M.

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I have known Jennifer Lee for many years, and I worked with her at the Clarke County Historical Association for several years. She and I have been involved in many local organizations as both employees and volunteers, the State Arboretum of Virginia, Downtown Berryville Inc. (Berryville was one of the first smaller communities accepted into the Virginia Main Street program), the Barns of Rose Hill.

Jennifer has demonstrated quality skills as a community contributor, project manager, event planner/organizer, and many other areas. She has made valuable contributions to the organizations that she has served with creative suggestions, organizational abilities, photographs, and much more.

Susi B.

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Jennifer was a critical member of our Shenandoah Watershed Compact team and instrumental in its success.  Some folks excel at strategic thinking while others shine at carrying out project details.  Jennifer is the rare individual who is able to possess both the vision coupled with a clear understanding of specific actions needed, and then execute those steps so it becomes a reality.  She is an outstanding writer, has an artistic eye, and with a simple turn of a phrase, is able to convey the natural beauty around us and why it needs to be protected.

Mark F.

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Jen is a passionate and dedicated individuaI. I first met her in 2002 when she created the most beautiful arrangements of flowering plants for my terrace and garden areas. She brought so much creativity and attention to detail to the task, making sure the plants were arranged to perfection and there was not one speck of dirt or debris on the pots.

I then knew Jen when she served as Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, our local rehabilitation center for injured and ill wildlife. She was passionate about saving Virginia’s wildlife and promoting the Center through public outreach, media and events.

Finally, I have known Jen in her capacity as director of the Environmental Film Festival. She has brought award winning films and their directors to Shepherdstown and I have always been happy to support the festival as a sponsor, because I know it will be done in a first class way with Jen at the helm.

Finally, I would like to add that you couldn’t find a kinder or lovelier person to be around than Jen Lee.

Beatrice vG.

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I’ve known Jennifer for 20+ years, as a friend and professionally.

As a friend she always lights up a room with her smile, intelligence, curiosity, energy and sense of humor.

Professionally, Jennifer recruited my company to be a sponsor at events that she was organizing.  The events were always high quality and well done, and she was a great communicator.

It’s always extra impressive to see people you know as friends excel in their fields.  Jennifer clearly has a passion for writing and photography, and she is EXCELLENT in both those mediums.

I mean REALLY good!!

Her skill set is special, and she brings an enlivening and intelligent value to any project.

Sarah C.