Jen Faigel is Executive Director of CommonWealth Kitchen, Boston’s shared-use kitchen and food business development center. CWK is working to close the opportunity gap for historically marginalized food entrepreneurs by connecting them to the resources, relationships and networks necessary to build viable businesses. On average, CWK is home to 55+ diverse food companies- over 75% owned by women and/or people of color, employing 160+. CWK also runs a food manufacturing social enterprise, providing outsourced production for food businesses, farms, retailers, and institutions.
CWK was named “Best Incubator” by Boston Magazine and a “Game-Changer” by The Boston Globe. Jen was recognized by the Boston Globe as, “one of 9 non-profit leaders to watch.” Jen was also a Wallace Center Regional Food Economies Fellow and is a 2019-2020 Barr Foundation Fellow.
Prior to helping (re)launch CWK in 2014, Jen spent 20+ years as an affordable housing and mission-based real estate developer in Boston. Jen has been involved in development/preservation of nearly 1,000 homes and 250,000 SF of commercial real estate.
Jen’s motto: Life is not about how high you climb, or how fast you run, but how well you bounce.
