Where leadership is human-centered, purpose-driven, and sustainable—for the common good.

Coaching and consulting for individuals, organizations, and corporations who care.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s not about being all things to all people. It’s not about perfectionism, guilt, or self-doubt, either.

Leadership is about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a deep understanding of what truly matters - to you, your team, and the people you serve.

It’s about showing up in a way that feels effective and sustainable, impactful and true.

It’s about recognizing your strengths and cultivating a deep knowing that you are inherently the leader you’ve been searching for.

At Common Good Coaching, I believe leadership should feel aligned, fulfilling, and human.

When leaders embrace their values, set clear boundaries, and trust themselves, they create stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and more meaningful impact - both for themselves and the communities they serve.

I’m Jennifer McDowell, and my work is about helping leaders step into their power - not by pushing harder, but by leading in a way that works for them. And when we work together through coaching, consulting, or facilitation, we’ll navigate challenges, foster collaboration, and create lasting change - for the common good.

Let’s build leadership that’s confident, intentional, and sustainable. For your work. For your life. For us all.

  • "Everything I need to be a successful supervisor "

    "Four weeks ago, I would have said that I'm not equipped to be a leader, and after this experience and taking a deep dive into myself, my past, and my future, I am certain that I have everything I need to be a successful supervisor and lead my team and am much more confident in my ability."

    - Jessica C.

  • "Big picture clarity & concrete short-term goals"

    "I came away with both big picture clarity on issues I have been grappling with for years and concrete short-term goals I am achieving with Jen’s support. Her thought and introspection-provoking coaching style will coax you out of your comfort zone into the places where real self-improvement happens.”

    - Owen Andrews

  • "An exemplary job"

    Jennifer did an exemplary job of curating learning opportunities that included strong equity practices, provoked critical thinking and joint development of our team's values, mission and vision. I would recommend Jennifer to other leaders who look to ground their teams in shared vision while addressing their individual professional needs/areas of growth.”

    -Shana McIver, Senior Director, Learning & Practice

  • "Focus on my strengths"

    “Jen’s style of leadership and coaching made it easy for me to think creatively about actionable steps I could take at the moment to achieve my long-term goals. Through facilitated conversations and set session objectives, Jen reminded me to focus on my strengths and address challenges keeping me from seeing myself as self-reliant.”

    -Renato Mendoza

  • "Rejuvenated, more open-minded, and curious"

    “With Jen as your coach, you’ll feel rejuvenated, more open-minded, and curious about new and different things. She tailed our sessions to my specific interests and needs, but also let me lead in the ways that felt right for me. I feel like I shed some unwanted insecurities and anxieties in my professional and personal worlds. Highly recommend!”

    -Ruth Farfel

  • "The tools to succeed"

    Jennifer exudes warmth, asked pointed questions, and engages in active listening, which allowed me the comfort to be open and honest during our relationship. Over the course of our many sessions, she helped build my confidence and heal from past workplace trauma, while providing me with the tools to succeed. Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge and resources to help you along your leadership journey, and is a coach who balances empathy while helping you achieve your goals.

    -Jessica Johnson, coaching participant in the Next Level Leaders program though Towson University’s Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute

  • "Our clients rave about Jennifer’s facilitation "

    Our leaders who have received coaching from Jennifer have shared that it has been a truly transformational experience. Meanwhile, our clients rave about Jennifer’s facilitation and express that participants truly connect with the content and are able to apply their learnings immediately.  We are very fortunate that Jennifer is part of our extended team.”

     - Erin Moran, executive director of Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute 

  • "A life-changing experience"

    Coaching with Jen allowed me to recognize and learn valuable insights about myself. It has been a true blessing and life-changing experience to have her by my side. Her ability to truly listen, create a safe space, and guide me towards breaking free from unhealthy emotional responses and fears has been transformative. I cannot express enough gratitude for her role in helping me grow and heal.”

    -June Sim, coaching client

  • "Jennifer’s impact was transformative"

    “I found immense value in partnering with Jennifer McDowell, my executive coach, for 18 months during a pivotal moment in my career. Managing a team in transition and returning to in-person client services after the pandemic while navigating the challenges of new motherhood made for a complex professional landscape. Jennifer’s impact was transformative, fostering an environment that honored, respected, and celebrated my authentic self. I consistently felt seen and heard. This coaching experience challenged me in formative ways, pushing me to examine assumptions and perspectives.”

    -Molly Larson, VP of Program Operations

  • "A true partner in creating and executing a vision for professional development"

    Jennifer McDowell helped us plan professional development opportunities for 130 community school coordinators along with the community at large. From conducting focus groups to fine tuning and articulating objectives and activities to fostering connections, she was instrumental in all planning stages. She is an active listener and a true partner in creating and executing a vision for professional development. We received a lot of positive feedback, much that can be traced to Jennifer.”

    -Amy Bopp, Director of Staff Development & Engagement

Let’s Work Together

For individuals who are committed to doing the inner work to build a more compassionate and just world for yourself and who you serve. Get ready for a more easeful approach to do what you love and love who you are.

Does your organization need expert support to build systems, implement initiatives, or develop high-quality community school programs? With deep experience in nonprofits and education, I offer strategic consulting to help you create lasting impact.

Our workshops and trainings are the perfect catalyst for your team to build the skills to lead with compassion, dignity and justice while rejecting perfectionism, urgency, and individualism.

Lead with C.A.R.E.

Common Good Coaching specializes in creating a coaching partnership for nonprofit, education, and organizing professionals that will help you live and lead with more CARE:

Creating more space for your Self

Acknowledging your shaping

Release past hurt, and

take new Embodied action.

Living and leading with C.A.R.E. is a lifelong, personal practice of going inside to promote a better world outside.