Jena McKinzie

Biography

• Certified Fundraising Executive
• Certified Nonprofit Professional
• M.S. in Human Services / Nonprofit Administration
• 17 years working in nonprofit fundraising and administration
• Over a decade working in higher education advancement

Jena McKinzie built her nonprofit career in North Louisiana and brings her southern hospitality to every donor interaction. Her passion for connecting generous individuals to meaningful causes has led to her most successful donor relationships. Jena often says that “every day in development is improv” which means that her theatre degree really was worth it!

During her career, Jena has been involved in all aspects of fund development including major gift solicitations, donor cultivation, corporate support, foundation, state and federal grants, annual campaigns, and event fundraising. Jena’s background in graphic design served her as she revamped the Centenary College of Louisiana’s direct mail and online solicitations to incorporate more segmentation which led to record breaking alumni participation and email engagement. Over the last decade, while serving two liberal arts colleges, Jena strengthened her experience in leadership development, organizational operations and strategic communications for major gift discovery.

A former member of CASE District 4 and regular speaker at district and regional conferences, Jena now broadens her philanthropic impact by supporting PRIDE Philanthropy nonprofit clients across the country as the Executive Director of Client Relations. Jena seeks to support staff and volunteer fundraisers as they steward the institutional resources with which they are trusted. Her development experience also includes building community partnerships and leading complex joint grant applications as well as collaborative programming ventures.

Jena has two bachelor’s degrees from Louisiana Tech University, a Master of Science in Human Services Administration and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Now based near San Antonio, TX, Jena shares three young sons with her husband Sam.

Degrees

Office Hours

I will be available by appointment on Monday and Friday, 7am-8:30am CT and Wednesday 12-1pm CT via Zoom. If these times do not work for you, I am open to scheduling at a different time.