Ms. Abernathy spent more than 25 years in senior-level executive management roles in finance, manufacturing, and global services companies. As an organizational and performance excellence expert, Jena brings a unique skill set as a strategic adviser for clients seeking C-suite and boardroom talent.

Ms. Abernathy is a seasoned business leader and  leadership expert. In addition to board effectiveness & development, succession, and board search assignments for Fortune 100 companies and for-profit and not-for-profit entities, she has also successfully led an extensive number of marquee CEO searches across the country, working with boards and designated search committee members to identify their next exceptional leader. In addition, she has led C-suite and executive-level searches for academic institutions, health systems, behavioral health centers, academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, foundations, associations, private equity, and other life sciences-related entities.

Before joining the leadership advisory profession, Ms. Abernathy was chief administrative officer for Premier, Inc., a performance improvement national alliance of hospitals and health systems, for nearly 10 years. She was responsible for developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive suite of human resources services and solutions, benefits and compensation, regulatory compliance and employment law and organizational development. In addition, she oversaw marketing, conference services, and facilities. Most notably, she served as the executive lead for Premier’s successful Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Earlier, she led significant change and transformation roles in senior executive management positions with McKesson, General Medical Corporation and Fisher Scientific International.

Ms. Abernathy is a noted leadership expert, author and frequent speaker, and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Becker’s Hospital Review, CBS MoneyWatch, CNN.com, Fortune, Trustee Magazine and many other leading media outlets, as well as featured in Warren Bennis’ Leadership Excellence Magazine.

Ms. Abernathy graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a bachelor of science in business administration. She is the author of The Inequality Equalizer, published by Ankerwycke/American Bar Association, which provides practical, real-world career advice. In addition, Jena served on the board of directors for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Witt/Kieffer International, Advisory board for MedShare, and The Parkinson’s Foundation where she served as Chair of the Compensation Committee.