Jenny Spencer Ward 15

Councilmember Spencer was raised in Shaker Heights where she graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1996.

She holds an undergraduate degree in political science from The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the Harvard Kennedy School. From 2005-2007, she served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, South America, where she met her husband Mario.

In 2008, Jenny began work with Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) as Project Manager for the world-renowned Gordon Square Arts District. In this role, she oversaw the re-opening of the Capitol Theatre, established the first Special Improvement District in a city neighborhood, and managed streetscape development and parking expansion.

From 2012-2014, she worked at Team NEO as a project manager to drive business attraction in Northeast Ohio. In 2014, Jenny returned to DSCDO to accept the position of Managing Director, where she supervised staff providing services ranging from economic development, planning and housing to marketing, events, organizing, youth services and crime prevention. In 2018, Jenny’s responsibilities expanded to include the Cudell and Edgewater neighborhoods through a Shared Services Agreement with Cudell Improvement, Inc.

Councilmember Spencer has worked on multiple political campaigns and considers her vocation to be community organizing. She and her husband Mario happily reside in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. In their free time, they enjoy gardening and hiking, as well as spending time with Jenny’s mom Flo (a Cleveland Heights resident) and Jenny’s brother Andrew and his family (Ward 6 residents).

She replaced Councilman Matt Zone who resigned to become executive director of the Thriving Communities and will also be senior vice president of Western Reserve Land Conservancy.