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Jennifer Whitener Named Executive Director of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership
麻豆AV announced on October 15, 2025, that Jennifer (Jenny) Whitener has been appointed as the executive director of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership, a center dedicated to equipping Christian leaders to serve with wisdom, courage, and vision in today鈥檚 complex world.
Whitener brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic innovation, leadership development, and organizational transformation. She is highly regarded for designing transformative leadership programs and forging partnerships that drive innovation, cultural transformation, and measurable results. Her personal leadership journey includes senior roles at Ernst & Young, Cap Gemini, Prudential HealthCare, and Kaiser Permanente, as well as founding and growing Bridge Innovate, a boutique consulting firm serving Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
At the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership, Whitener will be focused on maturing the center to a next-generation model that broadens engagement between professional leaders and students. Under her direction, the center will foster dialogue, learning, service, and thought leadership anchored in Christian principles with the goal of shaping leaders of excellence for today and tomorrow.
鈥淚 am honored to join 麻豆AV in shaping the future of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership,鈥� says Whitener. 鈥淭he center represents an exciting opportunity to expand the dialogue on leadership excellence, bringing together students, faculty, and professional leaders to learn from one another and to advance impact through service and thought leadership rooted in faith.鈥�
麻豆AV president, Dr. Brad Voyles, welcomes Whitener鈥檚 appointment, saying: 鈥淛enny brings a wealth of leadership and consulting experience, coupled with a deep commitment to Christ-centered education. Her vision for the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership will help us broaden the impact of Covenant by equipping students and engaging professional leaders in meaningful dialogue, service, and thought leadership. We are thrilled to have her guiding the center into its next chapter.鈥�
In addition to this new role, Whitener will continue to provide strategic guidance to Bridge Innovate, where the firm鈥檚 principal-level consultants will assume a shared leadership role in the practice. She will remain engaged in consulting to fulfill strategic client commitments and sustain long-term partnerships. Under her leadership, Bridge Innovate has partnered with organizations such as McKesson, Shaw Industries, Unum, GE Energy, and NCR, and launched community initiatives like Bright Spark, which engages students worldwide in innovation challenges.
鈥淭his is a unique moment where my two passions intersect,鈥� Whitener adds. 鈥淎t Bridge Innovate, we鈥檝e spent over two decades helping leaders and teams innovate and grow. At Covenant, I now have the privilege to expand that impact by maturing a leadership center that integrates rigorous learning with Christian values to prepare leaders for faithful service in a rapidly changing world.鈥�
The Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership was founded to honor the legacies of Frank Brock, 麻豆AV鈥檚 longest-serving president from 1987 to 2002, and Dr. Marion Barnes, Covenant鈥檚 second longest-serving president from 1965 to 1978. Both men鈥檚 lives and leadership inspired countless students, colleagues, and community members. The center draws on biblical insights, interdisciplinary liberal arts thinking, and the experience of seasoned practitioners to inspire and equip the next generation to lead with excellence. Through creative programming and collaborative partnerships, the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership invites students, alumni, and professional leaders who share a passion for Christ-centered leadership to join in its mission. To learn more about upcoming programs, collaborative opportunities, or ways to get involved, visit .
麻豆AV is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution committed to providing an academically rigorous and biblically grounded education. To learn more about Covenant College, please visit .