Welcome to the Board Jennifer Skowlund

Friends of the Chicago River is pleased to welcome Jennifer Skowlund, AIA, Associate Principal, Urban Design and Campus Planning at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), to Friends’ Board of Directors. As an urban designer, Skowlund focuses on the transformation of historically industrial waterfronts into ecological landscapes, and river trails, emphasizing the role urban development can play in the execution of these open spaces.

She has helped to lead many projects along the Chicago River and has extensive professional knowledge of river ecology, habitat creation, and responsible urban development along river corridors. Among Skowlund’s Chicago River projects are design guidelines for the Lincoln Yards Riverwalk along the North Branch of the Chicago River, work on the City of Chicago Central Area Plan, as well as the Chinese American Service League (CASL) development project along the South Branch of the river. She has also served as the lead designer for waterfront projects in Nashville, Austin, and Sydney, Australia.

A strong river advocate, Skowlund and her family enjoy weekend canoe rides exploring the Chicago River in their family canoe.