JEN BORRERO
About Jen Borrero
Jen Borrero is a speaker, housing advocate, and community-driven developer focused on one core idea: building people who build systems that create lasting change.
She is the founder of Common Ground Development, where she works at the intersection of housing, leadership, and community development, bringing together policy, real estate, and storytelling to help communities and organizations move from ideas to execution.
Jen has led work spanning grassroots organizing, national advocacy, and international development. Her work is rooted in translating complex challenges into actionable, community-centered solutions.
Her talks combine personal storytelling with practical frameworks, equipping audiences to align across differences, make decisions with clarity, and take immediate action. Her core message is simple: leadership isn't about individual success, it's about creating the conditions for others to move forward too.
Jen's work has been recognized through 30 Under 30 honors and global platforms including the United Nations, where she has served as a Global Goals Ambassador. She is also developing a documentary series exploring housing, belonging, and community across cultures.
Outside of her work, Jen is an avid traveler and adventurer, often skydiving, scuba diving, or immersing herself in new environments that continue to shape her perspective as a leader and builder.
Watch Jen Borrero's Speaker Reel
Speaking Topics
Leadership Without Permission
Real leadership doesn't wait for a title. In this keynote, Jen Borrero draws on her own path from a Wall Street career to social justice work to show audiences how to drive meaningful change from wherever they already sit.
Drawing on her experience as a United Nations Global Goals Ambassador and nonprofit founder, Jen offers a clear framework for amplifying voices, navigating barriers, and turning conviction into action. Ideal for students, emerging leaders, and anyone waiting for permission to start.
The Audience Will Leave With:
- A clear framework for creating change without formal authority.
- A mindset shift from "I'm not ready" to "I'm already equipped."
- A renewed belief in their power, and their responsibility, to lead.
- Confidence to start with what they have, where they are.
Why Messy Reinvention Is a Leadership Skill
Jen Borrero's path from Wall Street to grassroots advocacy was shaped by bold, messy reinvention rather than perfect planning. In this keynote she shares what it actually looked like to embrace uncertainty, fail publicly, and keep asking questions until the work fit the person.
With humor and vulnerability, Jen encourages audiences to explore untapped potential and reconnect with purpose. This is a call to treat reinvention as a vital leadership skill in a rapidly changing world, with insights for anyone facing a career pivot or chasing something bigger.
Organizational Impact:
- Insight into what rising leaders really need to stay engaged.
- How to position reinvention as a competitive advantage inside your organization.
- Ways to align personal growth with employer brand, culture, and mission.
- Ideas to foster internal mobility, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership.
- Actionable frameworks to support employees as they explore, grow, and lead.
Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
As the only US-born member of her family, Jen Borrero grew up carrying enormous pressure to succeed while honoring her heritage. In this keynote she shares stories of financial struggle, isolation in college, and the long work of turning guilt into a purposeful career.
This program helps audiences hold professional ambition and cultural expectation at the same time, with practical tools to turn pressure into strength rather than burnout.
The Audience Will Leave With:
- Strategies for integrating cultural values and traditions into professional life.
- A clearer sense of their own leadership style and voice.
- Ways to set realistic goals and define success on their own terms.
- Tools to let go of comparison culture.
- Insight on navigating identity-driven imposter syndrome in academic and professional spaces.
How Housing Becomes a Tool for Equity and Community
Jen Borrero presents practical strategies for treating affordable housing as a community-building force rather than a basic necessity. Her keynote centers collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in real estate development, and offers a roadmap for meaningful contribution from individuals, organizations, and policymakers.
This isn't a typical real estate discussion. It's a conversation-style talk about using housing to build community, ensure representation, and help neighborhoods thrive, with a strong focus on empowering the next generation of real estate leaders.
The Audience Will Leave With:
- An understanding of inclusive real estate development and the needs of diverse communities.
- Strategies for making affordable housing a collaborative, sustainable force for community-building.
- A roadmap to contribute meaningfully to affordable housing solutions.
Testimonials
One of the best speakers I have encountered and an extremely inspiring story.
Audience MemberJennifer spoke with passion, clarity, and humility. You can tell her beliefs are authentic and deeply rooted. Her feedback was helpful and specific. I'm so glad I got to experience it.
Event HostIt was raw, honest, and real. It's reassuring and compassionate, making it something that I would recommend to any nontraditional student.
Audience MemberThe session was practical, and offered tools that you can actually take action on.
Audience MemberJennifer's session will help you to stay focused on your purpose despite the noise around you.
Audience MemberSuch a beautiful and profound call to action. I was challenged to move forward towards my vision.
Audience Member