Jennifer Zeisler

Senior Program Director Jennifer Zeisler oversees ECMC Foundation’s Strategically Responsive portfolio. Guided by the Foundation’s strategic framework, commitment to systems change and North Star goal, Jennifer ensures the Strategically Responsive portfolio enables the Foundation to remain open to the changing needs and opportunities identified by the field, explore emerging trends, develop new portfolios and leverage key supports to activate the postsecondary education field.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jennifer worked at the Clinton Global Initiative, where she helped leaders, including university students, government officials, foundation and business executives, university administrators and nonprofit leaders, design new, specific and measurable projects. Jennifer’s previous employers include a small arts organization, a public hospital, a regional association of grantmakers, community and family foundations and higher education institutions. She also spent five years working with the U.S. Peace Corps as an overseas volunteer and U.S.-based recruiter, roles that expanded her experience in strategic planning, program development and monitoring and evaluation.

Jennifer currently serves as a member of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Board of Visitors and the president of the Old Dominion University Greater Los Angeles Alumni Chapter.

Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in philanthropic studies and a Master of Public Affairs in nonprofit management from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in communications from Old Dominion University.

Why are you working at ECMC Foundation and committed to working toward improving higher education for underserved learners?

I believe that every learner should have the opportunity to earn a postsecondary credential, as it is the most reliable path toward social and economic mobility. However, I recognize that not all institutions are currently equipped to adequately serve today’s students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. My work at ECMC Foundation is driven by the view that philanthropy can act as risk capital to test, refine and scale promising practices that have the power to shift the conditions impeding student success.