Jennifer Gonzalez ’08 ’09G
Director, Climate Action and Innovation, City of Hoboken, New Jersey
B.A. International Relations, M.A. Environmental Policy
Creating a More Sustainable Hoboken
A passion to explore the connection between community and environmental stewardship, law, and policy was the driving force that launched Jennifer Gonzalez ’08 ’09G into her career. As she settles into her new position as director of climate action and innovation for the city of Hoboken, New Jersey, Gonzalez is taking on future-impacting issues like sustainability, resiliency, capital planning, and engineering. It’s a role she embraces wholeheartedly, recognizing the immense potential to affect positive change for the residents of her city.
Making it New: A Shift in Focus for Hoboken
“We’ve made it a real focus since Mayor Ravi Bhalla adopted an executive order for climate action in 2019,” Gonzalez says. “Our initiatives are aimed at the goal of mitigating Hoboken’s contribution to climate change.”
Gonzalez says that’s a shift in focus for Hoboken because the city’s attention over the last 10 or so years primarily has been climate adaptation. “We’re not taking a step back from that by any means — we’re adding to it significantly.”
Since Hoboken is an urban coastal city, resiliency challenges center on rainfall and flood mitigation. And because it’s an older city, there are also projects involving the aging water system and combined sewer infrastructure. For the many capital projects she worked on, Gonzalez was always looking for ways to utilize green building practices and brownfield remediation.
Gonzalez, who received a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s in environmental policy, says Lehigh helped prepare her for success by making her a critical thinker and teaching her communications and team-building skills across disciplines. “Every day, I collaborate with planners, engineers, attorneys, and financial professionals. I’m used to working on diverse teams like that from my days at Lehigh.”
Making a Difference: ResilienCity Park
One of her proudest achievements has been the development of ResilienCity Park, a sprawling green oasis nestled in the heart of Hoboken. Formerly an industrial site plagued by pollution and neglect, the park now stands as a shining example of environmental stewardship and community revitalization. Equipped with state-of-the-art stormwater management systems, ResilienCity Park can handle two million gallons of stormwater during a rain event through a combined system of green infrastructure measures, graywater reuse for irrigation systems, a basketball detention basin, and on-site detention in a million-gallon underground detention tank.
“All the infrastructure investments that went into that park, while they are amazing and what I wake up for every day, pale in comparison to seeing all the children enjoy this new five-acre park that was once an industrial site,” Gonzalez says.
Making It Together: A Dedicated Team
But Mayor Bhalla's vision extends far beyond the confines of the park. With his leadership and a dedicated team of professionals by her side, she has embarked on a journey to transform every aspect of city life, from waste generation to energy consumption. Fleet electrification, building energy efficiency, and open space development are just a few of the key initiatives she has championed, all aimed at reducing Hoboken's carbon footprint and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Gonzalez understands that true innovation lies not only in infrastructure but also in technology. Embracing the power of digital solutions, she has spearheaded efforts to integrate advanced flood warning systems, streamline permitting processes, and enhance communication with residents. By harnessing the latest advancements in AI and data analytics, she and her team hope to revolutionize the way the city operates, paving the way for a more efficient, responsive, and environmentally conscious government.
Although the challenges for Hoboken are daunting at times, Gonzalez is proud of how far the city has come and optimistic about its future. “We have a team of individuals who are excited to bring the best services and infrastructure they can to Hoboken,” she says. “Their work will have a lasting impact, shaping the city’s future for decades to come.”
