Her Story
About Jena
I've dedicated my career to connecting and helping people through health and fitness, driven by my purpose to ensure that no one feels alone and that they always feel supported. At Medible, I established a first-of-its-kind patient and caregiver global network for a technology platform vendor in the clinical trial space, work that earned me recognition from PharmaVoice 100 and Everest's Trailblazer Award. I was also honored as San Francisco Most Influential Businesswomen and received a community service award. I myself have participated in clinical trials as a participant, which deepened my respect for science and my commitment to bringing meaningful solutions to people and having a global impact. In one of my most extraordinary experiences, I skied to the South Pole as one of less than 300 women to have ever completed that expedition, participating in global research to understand how the human body adapts to polar cold and hyper-endurance conditions. Currently serving as VP of Agentic Experience and Deployment, I continue to work at the intersection of technology, clinical research, and patient engagement. Alongside my corporate work, I've been a group fitness coach for 5 years and volunteer teaching hippotherapy for children with autism. I hold a degree in biology and public health from Boston University and have completed various certifications for clinical research coordinators and clinical research associates.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to many influences from family, friends, and epic managers and bosses throughout my career. But at the core, I think it's truly feeling alive when I'm helping people. That sense of purpose drives everything I do. I've been fortunate to have had incredible mentors and supporters along the way, but what really fuels me is that deep connection to making a difference in people's lives through health and wellness.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to tell me no and watch me - don't shy away from the hard things. You are an expert in who you are and what you do, so commit fully to knowing that. Show up as yourself, as the expert in what you're doing, and trust your gut. It's about having confidence in your expertise and not backing down when things get challenging. That mindset of embracing difficulty and trusting yourself has been transformative for me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say run towards the challenge. That's usually where you learn and grow the most. Don't be afraid of the difficult situations or the hard problems - those are the opportunities that will shape you and help you develop both professionally and personally. Embrace those moments instead of avoiding them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are so many people out there that could potentially be participating in clinical trials and research to help evaluate the efficacy of different potentially life-saving medications. The bottleneck has shifted - previously it was finding the right molecules and therapies to run through clinical trials, but now with AI and the speed at which we can uncover potentially life-saving molecules, we need to ensure that enough people are willing to participate. I think the bottleneck of having enough people willing to participate in research is probably one of the biggest challenges right now. We have the technology and the science advancing rapidly, but we need the human participation to match that pace.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say grit and fortitude are fundamental to everything I do. Being true to yourself is essential, along with transparency and honesty in all interactions. I believe in vulnerability with boundaries - being open and authentic while maintaining healthy limits. Being the best teammate while maintaining radical agency is important to me - supporting others without losing your own autonomy and decision-making power. And ultimately, I value a culture of trust and respect in everything, both professionally and personally.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.