Jen Lawrence
Critical Thinking Expert, Process Design Consultants Inc.
Jen Lawrence, MBA, is the President of Process Design Consultants. Inc. She draws on 30 years of experience in corporate training, investment banking, coaching, and management consulting to help organizations and individuals develop critical thinking, change management, and people development skills to create success. She is a Certified Career and Business Coach, Trauma of Money Facilitator, and a member of International Coach Federation. Her work has been featured in Inc., Newsweek, US News & World Report, The Globe and Mail, CTV Your Morning, Canadian Family Offices, Thrive Global, and more. She instructs at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and is the author of Engage the Fox: A Business Fable About Thinking Critically And Motivating Your Team.
Media
The Dish on Divorce - Episode 21: Recognizing Financial Abuse with Jennifer Lawrence
Divorce coach, Jennifer Lawrence, joins family lawyer, Leanne Townsend, and mediator, Jennifer Barkin, for today's episode of The Dish on Divorce. They discuss an important topic, financial abuse during divorce, which can include denying a spouse access to a bank account or paycheck, and can even extend to preventing them from working. Although this issue is quite common, it is often hidden and hard to identify by the victim, so Jennifer works to shed light on it and support those experiencing this form of abuse.
Recognizing Financial Abuse
The Dish on Divorce, August 5, 2021Television
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQVOWlb0jSY
Divorce coach, Jennifer Lawrence, joins family lawyer, Leanne Townsend, and mediator, Jennifer Barkin, for today's episode of The Dish on Divorce. They discuss an important topic, financial abuse during divorce, which can include denying a spouse access to a bank account or paycheck, and can even extend to preventing them from working. Although this issue is quite common, it is often hidden and hard to identify by the victim, so Jennifer works to shed light on it and support those experiencing this form of abuse.
Divorcing Well Radio/Podcast
In this week’s episode I interview Certified Divorce Coach, Jennifer Lawrence of Designed Divorce about the important topic of financial abuse. Many people are aware of the problem of physical or emotion abuse, but financial abuse isn’t talked about as much. There are many spouses out there who are completely controlled financially by their partner, and this poses significant problems during the divorce process. Check out my interview with Jennifer to learn the signs of financial abuse and what you can do to protect yourself or manage it, if you are in this situation.
Leanne Townsend, January 13, 2021Radio/Podcast
In this week’s episode of the Divorcing Well Podcast, I chat with Jennifer Lawrence, of Designed Divorce, about how to get smart with your money during divorce. Jennifer discusses how to get the right help, smart money tips and traps to avoid, especially when it comes to finances.
SEX FILES: 'The Bachelorette' finale sparks debate on gaslighting
Toronto Sun, August 29, 2021Print
URL: https://torontosun.com/life/sex-files/the-bachelorette-finale-sparks-debate-on-gaslighting
“Instead of admitting fault or taking responsibility for their actions, someone who gaslights will throw the conversation back on the other person, accusing them of being crazy, of making things up in their head, of being paranoid or of interpreting things wrong,” says Jen Lawrence, an Oakville, Ont.,-based certified divorce coach, in a recent interview.
Are you dating me for me or my money?
Canadian Family Offices, February 14, 2022Online
URL: https://canadianfamilyoffices.com/life-family/are-you-dating-me-for-me-or-my-money
Are you dating me for me or my money?
Financial status can complicate dating and relationships in unexpected ways
Author of the article: Diane Jermyn • Financial Post
Jen Lawrence, a certified divorce coach and divorce financial analyst at Designed Divorce in Oakville, Ont., works mainly with high-net-worth women who often have come into large amounts of money following a divorce. She says heading into the dating world can be very scary and people may feel like a bit of a target.
“Whether you’re a man or a woman, the first thing people have to do is clarify what they want,” says Lawrence, who is twice divorced. “If you want a transactional relationship – young, hot firefighters are not taboo – address that on the surface. There’s a thriving sugar daddy, sugar mommy industry out there.”
Lawrence says there is often a transactional quality to relationships with wealthy people and that sometimes wealthy people really don’t understand how transactional their relationships are. At work they are surrounded by yes-men or women because they are the boss or owner. Even people in their personal lives are not always giving honest feedback. It is easy to get used to that kind of ego gratification.
“If you’re using money to wield power and to frankly elevate yourself, then you’ve got to understand that the money is part of the reason why that person is there,” says Lawrence. “That’s where the family office environment can be helpful because they can organize connections between wealthy people.
“When you’re the 1 per cent and you’re out there in the dating market, 99 per cent of people are either not going to understand your world, or they’re going to be looking to level up by attaching themselves to you. Sometimes that’s fine – transparency is important – but if you want an equal partner, that’s a longer process and you may have to have different criteria to search for that.”
In a relationship where the wealth is unequal, have a plan from the beginning so no one is exploited on either side. A prenup agreement can clarify that you’re happy to share some but not all of your wealth, because maybe you have kids from a first marriage or philanthropic goals you want to achieve.
“Address it for what it is and have those awkward conversations,” Lawrence advises. “So often guys are like, ‘I want you to love me as if I had no money,’ but you wouldn’t be you if you had no money. Would you love her if she wasn’t young and pretty? Let’s go with reality here.”
When it comes to marriage breakdown, Lawrence says money is the No. 1 cause, and the more money you have, the more complicated it can be.
“Wealthy people don’t talk about money in their family or marriages because it’s not about how are we going to pay rent this month?” says Lawrence. “It’s just: ‘There’s all this money – let’s not talk about it.’ People who don’t have much money understand the power of money because it’s a daily fact. If you’re really wealthy, you may say you don’t have to think about money, but you actually need to think about it more because it governs your life a lot more.”
In affluent divorce, non-earners face imbalance of power, murky finances, social stigma
Canadian Family Offices, October 19, 2021Online
In affluent divorce, non-earners face imbalance of power, murky finances, social stigma
Divorce coach Jen Lawrence helps spouses split with ‘elegance and ease’
Author of the article: Kerry Gold • Canadian Family Offices
Interview
What And Just Like That Gets Right About Midlife
Story Exchange, January 25, 2022Online
URL: https://thestoryexchange.org/what-and-just-like-that-gets-right-about-midlife/
Certified divorce coach Jen Lawrence was a SATC viewer during the show’s initial run. Lawrence, now 50, praises the respectful nature of how Charlotte is tackling Rock’s gender identity journey. But Lawrence also notices that Charlotte doesn’t have time for herself.
“I’d love to see her build a business or career,” Lawrence says. “Perhaps a Martha Stewart-esque future is on the horizon?”
Charlotte the entrepreneur? I’m in! After all, her fellow midlife BFF Anthony started a thriving sourdough business during the pandemic. No doubt she could turn to him for business advice in starting a second act.
Later in life sexual exploration
Miranda is saddled with one too many storylines in AJLT. She left corporate law and is going back to school for a Master of Human Rights degree, where she embarrasses herself repeatedly in front of the instructor. Her son, Brady, is having more sex than Miranda and her husband Steve have had in years. And Miranda is hitting the bottle hard to cope.
Unexpectedly, Miranda also starts exploring her sexuality. She is attracted to Che, Carrie’s boss, and before long they start having sex. After Carrie puts her on the spot, Miranda vocalizes how much she hates her life and marriage. She doesn’t know who she is anymore.
Lawrence believes Miranda is experiencing a classic midlife crisis.
“The aspects of her personality she’s cultivated as a successful lawyer, mom, and wife are no longer making her happy,” Lawrence says. “It’s very normal at this age that what she has is not enough. Many women feel burned out from work and caregiving and want to explore social justice work, go back to school, or revitalize their marriage or have an affair.”
From Banker to Divorce Coach: How This Female Entrepreneur Built a Successful Home Coaching Business
12 Steps to Protect Your Money in Divorce
US News and World ReportOnline
URL: https://money.usnews.com/investing/slideshows/12-steps-to-protect-your-money-in-divorce
This Is When You'll Be Ready to Date Post-Divorce, Research Shows
What to Say to a Friend Going Through a Divorce
Divorce Planner: 90 Day Planner & Divorce Journal
by Jen Lawrence
November 6, 2021
979-8759809296
Divorce Coach Jen Lawrence has created this Divorce Planner and Journal to help you through the first 90 days of your divorce. With space for goal setting, action planning, daily planning pages, journaling, and notes, this journal will help you stay organized and start down the path of healing. Whether you are getting divorced, or are looking for the perfect gift for a divorcing friend, this planner will help bring elegance and ease to a difficult process.
The Designed Divorce: How to Preserve Your Wealth and Peace of Mind in Divorce
by Jen Lawrence
January 25, 2021
979-8574985458
In The Designed Divorce, Jen Lawrence shares the secrets she’s gleaned from her private coaching and concierge practice and her training as a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach™, Certified Divorce Specialist, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. ®This book will help you:· Deal with your emotions so you can focus on the business of divorce· Get clear on your goals so your settlement supports your dreams· Hire a divorce team that can help you maximize your options· Avoid the biggest divorce mistakes that threaten your wealth and peace of mind· Implement radical self-care techniques that go far deeper than a spa day· Understand your money and how to build financial security· Start down the path to a future that excites youJen Lawrence has spent her career building the skills to help her private coaching clients through some of the toughest times in their lives. Now, she is sharing her trade secrets with her readers. Filled with practical tips, exercises, and memorable stories injected with Lawrence’s trademark humor, The Designed Divorce will make you feel like you are never alone in this process."
Engage the Fox: A Business Fable About Thinking Critically And Motivating Your Team
by Jennifer Lawrence & Larry Chester
October 7, 2014
9781626341234
A more-than-memorable allegory that will teach you to embrace change, develop superior critical-thinking skills, and solve any problem that comes your way by using teamwork.
Engage the Fox is a charismatic business fable set at a newspaper run by publisher Hedgehog, and his executive team of woodland creatures. When met with a difficult decision regarding where the newspaper industry is headed, as well as pressure to give discounts to their top advertisers, Hedgehog engages consultant Thaddeus P. Fox to teach the team at The Toad Hollow Gazette how to make important decisions. By thinking critically and utilizing the different personality types present in the office, the team learns to see the big picture and tap the energy and imagination of everyone. The animals portrayed here, by their very nature, represent different aspects of the human personality as illustrated in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Sensing sales manager Squirrel is adept at gathering information; feeling Animal relations director Dog is keen on seeking agreement amongst the pack; thinking finance director Owl needs to know the entirety of a situation before settling on a decision; and intuitive consultant Fox can think up an endless amount of ideas for solving problems.
The authors base their book on Lawrence Chester’s popular course in critical thinking that helps participants identify the cause of problems large and small and generate better, more implementable solutions. That process incorporates four key critical thinking skills that businesspeople can develop to help them evaluate their options as they learn how to manage complex, messy issues in a systematic way that ensures stakeholder buy-in and increases their success rate.
Lawrence and Chester have created an entertaining imaginary world where the memorable management team that has lived and breathed their industry for decades “engages the fox” as they undergo a strategic shift. They recognize the need to involve someone with an outside perspective who is adept at navigating change. Enter the hero, for, as is often quoted in management and political theory, “The fox knows many things; the hedgehog one big thing.” Literally and figuratively, it seems.
Biography
Jen Lawrence, MBA, is the President of Process Design Consultants. Inc. She draws on 30 years of experience in corporate training, investment banking, coaching, and management consulting to help organizations and individuals develop critical thinking, change management, and people development skills to create success. She is a Certified Career and Business Coach, Trauma of Money Facilitator, and a member of International Coach Federation. Her work has been featured in Inc., Newsweek, US News & World Report, The Globe and Mail, CTV Your Morning, Canadian Family Offices, Thrive Global, and more. She instructs at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and is the author of Engage the Fox: A Business Fable About Thinking Critically And Motivating Your Team.