Hensley previously served as governance chair for the past eight years, and she succeeds Elias Roman, who led the Board for eight years and will remain an active member.
“The work Pursuit does to solve the problem of economic opportunity is complex, and it involves multiple stakeholders across tech, business, philanthropy, and the public sector,” said Jukay Hsu, Co-founder and CEO of Pursuit. “Jen knows Pursuit well and understands the nuances of this work, having been an invaluable member of and leader on our Board for the last eight years. As we look towards the future, her character, demonstrated leadership, and track record of driving outcomes with multiple stakeholders will be crucial in our ongoing mission to be a world-class organization that solves some of the biggest societal issues. I’m thankful for her commitment and look forward to her guidance in the years ahead.”
Jen at the Pursuit Tech Bash 5.0 in 2017
Prior to joining Con Edison, Hensley headed Government Relations for Lyft, leading the company’s practice across the US and Canada. Previously, she served as President of Link for Intersection, Executive Director of the Association for a Better New York, Senior Adviser to the Chairman at Empire State Development Corporation, and Assistant Vice President at the Alliance for Downtown New York. She also held positions in finance at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase.
“Pursuit’s work has never been more important,” Hensley said. “Ensuring everyone has an opportunity to benefit from the value created by technical innovation has been a priority of mine throughout my career, and I share that goal with the amazing staff and leadership at Pursuit, who I am proud to work alongside. I look forward to continuing to contribute to Pursuit, and to supporting our graduates, our employers, and our mission in my new role.”
In addition to Hensley, Board member Katy Knight, Executive Director of the Siegel Family Endowment, has taken on a leadership role as governance chair, and Amy Wang, Head of Private Credit at Blue Earth Capital, is now a Board Observer.
“Katy and Amy have long believed in and supported Pursuit’s work, both personally and professionally,” said Hsu. “As leaders in philanthropy and impact investing, respectively, their unique expertise in utilizing multiple forms of capital to drive social change make for a powerful perspective and experience on our Board. I’m grateful for their leadership and service to Pursuit, and I’m excited about the ways they will contribute to expanding our work and deepening our impact.”
“Born and raised in a working-class neighborhood in Queens, I’m acutely aware of the many obstacles preventing low-income Americans from accessing a career in tech, which is why I’ve long supported Pursuit's mission to create a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem for all,” said Knight. “I’m honored to serve as the organization’s governance chair and excited for the impactful work to come.”
“For years, we've been impressed by Pursuit's uncompromising focus on providing the best outcomes for New Yorkers who are underserved,” said Wang. "I am thrilled to join Pursuit as a Board Observer on behalf of Blue Earth Capital, and I look forward to increasing collaboration with the team.”
As former chair Elias Roman steps down as Chair, Hsu said, “I’m personally grateful to have Elias as a partner, advisor, and friend. He’s been instrumental in my own development – from advising me on creating new organizational functions to celebrating our first institutional grants. I’m grateful for his commitment to continue service on our Board, and know he will continue to make meaningful contributions to our work together.”
For a full list of Pursuit Board members, see here.
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