Jackie Canan

About Jackie Canan

I’m a senior health and wellness strategy executive with 16+ years of experience leading initiatives that strengthen communities, scale impact, and drive organizational growth. My work lives at the intersection of strategy, innovation, operations, partnerships, and people development, with a deep commitment to mission-driven organizations.Currently, I serve as Vice President of Client Experience & Partnerships at Upace, where I lead the vision and execution of a relationship-centered client experience strategy. In this role, I cultivate executive partnerships, represent the voice of the client in product and organizational decisions, and design scalable engagement models that help community-focused organizations maximize adoption, outcomes, and long-term success. I work cross-functionally with product, sales, marketing, and leadership teams to ensure strategy and execution remain aligned, measurable, and mission-driven.Prior to this, I spent more than a decade with YMCA of Greater Brandywine, where I led association-wide wellness strategy across group exercise, personal training, small group training, specialty programming, and community health initiatives. I partnered with executive leadership to implement best practices, scale programs, develop high-performing teams, and enhance member engagement, retention, and overall well-being.My areas of expertise include strategic program development, health innovation, partnership growth, client engagement, and staff education. I’m known for building strong teams, creating scalable systems, and translating vision into actionable strategies that produce measurable results.At my core, I’m passionate about helping organizations create welcoming, inclusive environments where people feel supported, connected, and empowered to pursue better health. I bring energy, clarity, and purpose to every initiative and thrive in collaborative cultures that value innovation, trust, and impact.Certifications: NASM CPT | NASM CNC | Y-USA Team Leader Certification | Les Mills BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYATTACK, Shapes | YMCA Pilates | Cycle

Experience

1. Vice President of Client Experience & Partnerships

   Upace

   Feb 2026 — Present

   Senior executive leader responsible for shaping and scaling a relationship-driven client experience strategy that strengthens partnerships, deepens platform adoption, and drives measurable impact for community-focused organizations. Oversees the full post-onboarding client lifecycle, ensuring every interaction reflects trust, collaboration, and mission alignment while amplifying the voice of clients across product, strategy, and organizational decision-making.Key Impact Areas •Lead executive relationships with clients, positioning the organization as a long-term strategic partner. •Design and implement scalable, tiered client experience models that balance personalization with operational efficiency. •Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Product, Marketing, and Support teams to align strategy with client needs and outcomes. •Translate client insights into product innovation, reporting enhancements, and forward-thinking solutions. •Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships, integrations, and industry collaborations that expand value for clients. •Establish success metrics, engagement benchmarks, and retention strategies to ensure sustained growth and satisfaction. •Represent the organization at conferences, advisory groups, and industry forums to strengthen credibility and thought leadership. •Mentor client-facing team members and foster a culture centered on service excellence, accountability, and impact. •Lead strategic planning initiatives that alignMission AlignmentThis role advances community wellness and engagement by ensuring organizations are supported with insight, strategy, and tools that help them expand their reach, strengthen operations, and deepen their impact.

Education

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor of Science in Economics