Her Story
About Jennifer
Dr. Jennifer Garrison is a transformational healthcare and federal operations executive with a distinguished record of leading enterprise-scale strategy and execution across government health systems, global pharmaceutical organizations, and highly regulated environments. As Vice President of Federal Health, she operates at the intersection of policy, clinical innovation, and operational performance, driving alignment across diverse stakeholders while delivering measurable outcomes that enhance mission readiness, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. With more than two decades of experience in federal health, including 20 years of military service as a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Jennifer brings a unique blend of military discipline, strategic leadership, and deep healthcare expertise to complex, mission-critical environments.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has led large-scale initiatives spanning multi-billion-dollar portfolios, national provider networks, and global medical affairs functions. She has successfully directed enterprise-wide strategy, operational transformation, and data-driven performance optimization across organizations such as the Defense Health Agency and Johnson & Johnson. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort, coordinating large, cross-functional teams to deliver millions of vaccines while ensuring operational precision and cold chain integrity. Known for her ability to translate complex regulatory, clinical, and operational challenges into actionable strategies, she consistently drives execution at scale while fostering collaboration across government, industry, and clinical stakeholders.
A trusted advisor to senior executives, policymakers, and government leaders, Jennifer is recognized for building high-performing teams, establishing scalable operating models, and leading enterprise transformation initiatives that deliver sustained impact. Her expertise spans federal program execution, healthcare systems, global medical affairs, supply chain optimization, and advanced data and analytics. Jennifer’s leadership approach combines strategic vision with disciplined execution, enabling organizations to navigate complexity, mitigate risk, and achieve long-term success. Committed to continuous learning and innovation, she leverages her dual doctoral training to bridge the gap between research and real-world application, positioning organizations to thrive in an evolving healthcare and policy landscape.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
Faith, patriotism, and family — the foundation of this achievement.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Try first, fail fast and try again
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I could revisit my younger self from 30 years ago, I would encourage them to have confidence and be daring. Gender should not limit your potential; you can achieve what is expected of you regardless of being a woman. Stand alongside individuals of all genders and embrace this reality. Pursue your ambitions actively while remaining open to guidance. There will be detractors—critics who doubt your capabilities, and it's important to recognize them as mere naysayers. Therefore, I would advise try first, fail fast and try again. Adopting this mindset will serve you well since life is filled with ups and downs; victories and defeats are both part of the journey. It's essential to accept loss as a possibility, especially considering that the upcoming generation tends to exhibit a sense of entitlement. Merely asserting "I can do that; it's easy" is insufficient—you need a strategy in place. What’s your plan? Personally, though it may not be problematic for me—my peers appreciate it—I enjoy planning meticulously.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Ego plays a significant role in interpersonal dynamics. When individuals enter an environment and realize that you possess comparable skills, they may feel threatened and attempt to undermine you. My intention is to collaborate and leverage our respective talents to create a brighter future for the organization. However, this collaboration cannot occur without openness and a willingness to share one's strengths. This issue mirrors my experiences in the military, where there was a pervasive belief that women were not suited for leadership roles. I frequently observed promotions awarded to less qualified candidates despite my equal qualifications. Clearly, we have much progress to make in this area.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important piece of advice I consistently share is to focus not only on work but also on being your authentic self. Lead by supporting others from behind and empowering them. During my time as a commander, I emphasized transparency, regardless of circumstances. It was essential to me that everyone understood this principle. When I received my flag, it came with the phrase "transparency is key," which held significant meaning for me because it reflected my commitment to that value. For me, transparency and authenticity are crucial; possessing strong moral integrity is vital, as I cannot assist others if I am unsure of their honesty. I want to hear both the advantages and disadvantages from those around me, along with their suggestions, as accountability is very important to me. Being accountable means taking ownership of your responsibilities in leading a program. While I will hold you responsible for your actions, I am also here to support you if you feel you lack empowerment.
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