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Jennie Grau

Jennifer Grau is President of Taliaferro/Grau Associates, a firm specializing in developing clients’ speaking, listening and conflict resolution skills. Jennifer has over 20 years experience as a trainer, coach, and professional speaker.  As a trainer, she conducts workshops for corporate clients, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions, as well as divisions of local, state and federal government. Jennifer’s public speaking has brought her before a wide range of people, in a variety of contexts including legislative bodies, community groups, religious congregations, service clubs, bankers and business associations.

In addition to these face to face speaking experiences, she has made numerous television and radio appearances. Her work has been noted in the Wall Street Journal, the US News & World Reports, as well as the Lansing State Journal.

Well known in Lansing for two decades of neighborhood improvement work, Jennie is also the former Director of both the Lansing Neighborhood Council and Habitat for Humanity.  During her stints with both of these community building organizations, Jennie ran the Neighborhoods n’ Bloom program and originated the Neighborhood Trolley Tour for realtors and bankers, in order to help them discover Lansing. She has also helped bring the first Americorp Grant to Michigan, which focused on environmental neighborhood projects, as well as blending MSU students with neighborhood activists.

Jennie has also served on the city’s historic district commission, been an ENO board member and served several times as president of PLACE Neighborhood.  Under Jennie’s leadership, PLACE did an innovative curb appeal by planting trees and flower beds, resulting in 33 trees being planted in the public domain, throughout this 9 square block area. Here, she also organized a block party for approximately 200 residents in the PLACE neighborhood. Seventy five residents showed up to have a thanksgiving dinner in JULY, with a huge inflatable turkey for decor!

At every level of place-making, Jennie has exhibited creative, effective, and inspired leadership.  She is truly one of the neighborhood movement’s gems! Lansing is lucky to have her and we are thrilled to present her as our Neighborhood Conference keynote speaker!