As we begin a new fiscal year, we also welcome a new chair, Alex Arriaga (Col ’87), and vice chair, Jenn Nisi (Engr ’98). Both are slated to serve two-year terms and guide the Trust towards new grantmaking and fundraising heights.
Alex Arriaga is the founder and partner at Strategy for Humanity LLC, a consulting firm that works with mission-driven organizations and those who fund them to achieve meaningful results. She has deep expertise on a breadth of global issues and policy development and a successful track record facilitating organization-wide priority-setting, strategic planning, and change management.
Earlier in her career, Alex held leadership roles at the White House, US Congress, and large international nonprofits. She has served as the Vice-Chair of the Jefferson Trust for the past two years, has been on the Board of Trustees since 2012, and serves on several Boards focused on education, disability inclusion, refugees, and human rights. Alex is bilingual and of Spanish and Chilean descent.
Jenn Nisi has been a Jefferson Trust Trustee since 2019. She is General Manager for Innovation in the Microsoft Industry Solution Group, helping customers achieve business outcomes through Digital Transformation and Process reengineering. In her more than 25 years with Microsoft, Jenn has served in various roles including Chief Technology Officer, Director of Global Workforce Planning, and P&L Leader for the Americas Industry Solutions Organization.
In 2003, Jenn established Sprout Creek Capital, which invests in early-stage seed startups, established technology funds, and new businesses in the Hudson Valley area. She brings her experience in scaling delivery and customer success organizations to founders throughout the Hudson Valley and the New York Metro Area. She continues to sit on the Board of Trustees for Dutchess Day School, a pre-k through 8th grade private school in Millbrook, NY.
Alex and Jenn bring extensive professional experience and a passion for all things UVA to their new roles. We look forward to the great years ahead!