Jenae Jenison, director of external engagement at Central College, has been selected by the 2018-19 Leadership Iowa class to serve as an honorary Leadership Iowa representative to the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s Board of Directors. Jenison was one of 40 Iowans who graduated from the distinguished Leadership Iowa program during the 2019 Taking Care of Business Conference on June 6 in Ames.
Leadership Iowa is a program of the Iowa ABI Foundation and one of the state’s most respected professional development opportunities. Iowa ABI has been the voice of Iowa business since 1903 and its mission is to provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues affecting Iowa employers.
“I am extremely honored to have been selected by my Leadership Iowa classmates to serve in this capacity,” Jenison says. “Iowa ABI’s Board of Directors is a group of highly respected leaders in our state dedicated to a making a positive impact regarding key business issues, workforce development initiatives and public policy in Iowa. I look forward to working with these talented leaders and continuing my involvement with the Iowa ABI organization and its members.”
A 2011 graduate of Central, Jenison has been in her current role since December 2017. She previously was digital promotion director at Central.
Jenison is an executive committee member for Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, serving as a member of the Growing Rural Iowa Task Force. She also serves as a committee member for the Pella Talent Pipeline Initiative, policy chair for the Pella Area Community and Economic (PACE) Alliance Economic Development Council, is a board member for the Pella Historical Society and Museums and is a legislative working group member of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
In 2019, Jenison was a recipient of Red Rock Area’s Top 10 Under 40 award from the Marion County Development Commission.