Jena Stack

Visionary and results-oriented chief executive with an established record of delivering impactful organizational changes and strategic initiatives. Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, ensuring alignment with company goals and fostering culture of excellence. Renowned for adaptability and strong focus on achieving measurable results through effective collaboration and leadership. Brings over a decade of proven expertise in nonprofit and organization management.

• Influential Leader | Organizational Architect | Capital Donor Relationship Manager
• Designed novel and effective organizational structures and processes tailored to navigate high-growth environments, uphold global reputation management, and cultivate strategic relationships up, down, and across the organization.
• Raised over $15M as principal negotiator, relationship manager, and steward for strategic initiatives inclusive of multi-industry supported prospective clinical trials, a first for a major radiological society, and strategic capital project development. Authored and managed original fundraising campaign materials, stakeholder communications, corresponding organizational policies, and resource modeling.
• Achieved annual membership retention growth of over 20% for two healthcare associations over an averaged 48-month period, through implementation of value and pricing analysis, benefits proposition campaigns, and strategic international partnership development.
• Secured 100% board approval of MOU agreement with international society partner, initiating joint sponsorship for a $6M multi-million-dollar clinical trial project. Led successful negotiations for revenue-share agreement, joint organizational communication guidelines, and fundraising plan.
• Directed strategic planning process from board retreat facilitation to final plan development, establishing refined vision, mission, values, and governance-aligned strategic initiatives. Developed corresponding governance reporting tools.
• Revenue Diversification | Novel Business Modeling | Crisis Management
• Pioneered innovative business models for healthcare associations, capitalizing on strategic partnership opportunities and directing cross-functional teams to achieve sustained, record-breaking financial performance.
• Delivered 50% operational revenue growth over three-year period through strategic re-design of organizational vision, products and services offerings, and governance infrastructure for high-growth medical specialty organization. Included development of novel committee charter policies and staff management tools, directly aligned to organizational P&L goals for + $4M operating revenue.
• Attained 2000% increase in operating revenue over 24-month period for re-design of industry membership program, comprised of over 175 medical device, pharmaceutical, and software partners.
• Produced a 20% increase in net assets between 2019 and 2023 for two unique healthcare associations, leveraging adaptive business planning, innovative non-dues revenue generation, and expert financial management methodologies.
• Constructed and delivered multiple programmatic “pivots” indirectly or directly related to COVID-19; directed successful negotiation of hotel and third-party contracts to eliminate all cancellation liabilities between 2020 and 2025. Surpassed budgeted goals for eight unique virtual conference and classroom style offerings.
• Sustained 20% increase in educational grant and sponsorship income over 36-month period by developing educational curriculum, strategic partnership agreements, and profitable revenue-sharing arrangements.
• Team Synergist | Talent Development | Performance Management
• Provide personalized coaching to empower core service team members, while implementing cutting-edge procedures and workflows designed to bolster team cohesion and volunteer board-staff relationships.
• Supervised and mentored diverse teams with an annual average of 7 direct reports since 2015 and up to 35 cross-functional team members annually within a highly matrixed-organizational structure. Directly promoted over 10 employees to higher-level positions with 80% retention to date.
• Led 18-month operational planning initiatives, encompassing professional development strategies and promotion-based career pathing for client teams. Defined performance objectives and coaching opportunities for up to an annual average of 8 manager level personnel, optimizing engagement and results.
• Revamped service team AP/AR fulfillment process and enhanced relationship management standards, yielding a 70% year-over-year improvement of deadline adherence for over $2M in conference- related revenue payments.
• Successfully managed the execution of numerous high-stakes projects and initiatives from inception to completion, overseeing operations across eight matrix units and dozens of internal and external collaborators.

• American Society of Association Executives
• Association of Fundraising Professionals
• American Association of Medical Society Executives
• Association Forum of Chicagoland
• American College of Healthcare Executives
• Medical Society Fundraising Network
• Professionals for Association Revenue
• Project Management Institute

• Stack, Jena | Interview by Rasheeda Childress | Chronicle of Philanthropy | Anticipated October 2025
• Facilitator & Presenter | Your Role and Communicating with Your Board | Smithbucklin Executive Director Workshop Series| 2023—Present
• Facilitator | Smithbucklin 2024 Core Values | 2024 - Present
• Volunteer | Association Forum | Professional Practice Committee, Strategic Governance | 2022
• Facilitator & Author | Managing a Matrix Environment | Smithbucklin Workshop | Chicago, IL | 2021–Present
• Stack, Jena | Interview by Rasheeda Childress | Associations Now | Magazine | 24 April 2021
• Stack, Jena | Interview by Morgan Manghera | Our Perspectives | Smithbucklin Content Hub | 17 May 2021.
• Facilitator | Fundamentals of Financial Management | Smithbucklin Workshop | Chicago, IL | 2019 - 2023
• Facilitator | People Manager Effectiveness Program | Smithbucklin Workshop | Chicago, IL | 2019 - 2023
• Facilitator & Author | Working with Volunteers | Smithbucklin Workshop | Chicago, IL | 2019–Present

• Society of Interventional Oncology | SIO
• American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants | AALNC
• American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation | AACVPR
• American Association of Sleep Technologists | AAST
• Association for Clinical and Translational Science | ACTS
• Clinical Laboratory Management Association | CLMA

• Lake Forest College Residence Director 2012 – 2014
• Loyola University Chicago Graduate Assistant Fellowship 2010 – 2012