Jen Driscoll

About Jen Driscoll

I work with leaders who have ambitious visions and need strong systems, governance, and operating discipline to turn strategy into sustained impact. In my current role, I help design and run the structures that support the execution of a $400M+ annual investment portfolio spanning multiple continents, partnering closely with executive leadership to prioritize resources, articulate trade-offs, manage risk, and maintain momentum across complex organizations.My work sits at the intersection of strategy, finance, and operations. I lead annual and multi-year planning processes, establish operational rhythms, and build the governance frameworks that allow teams to move quickly while staying aligned and accountable. I also oversee talent strategy and recruiting, recognizing that durable impact depends as much on people and culture as it does on capital and ideas.Over the past 20+ years, I’ve worked across the private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, supporting organizations at every stage of growth—from early-scale efforts to mature, global enterprises. I’ve led and supported large-scale change initiatives ranging from software and systems transformations to the development of enterprise-wide policies and operating models. This work has taken me across India, China, and Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as throughout the U.S, where I’ve partnered with diverse stakeholders to build capacity and enable sustainable growth.I’m deeply interested in how AI-enabled tools are reshaping the way organizations operate and make decisions, and in the opportunity to apply disciplined execution, governance, and strategic finance principles to this next wave of transformation. I believe technology, when stewarded thoughtfully, can accelerate progress and help create a more connected, resilient world.In addition to my core role, I advise startups and NGOs on operating models, organizational design, and scaling strategy, and I mentor women navigating leadership, career transitions, and the informal networks that shape opportunity.

Experience

1. Deputy Director, Strategy Planning and Management

   Gates Foundation

   Mar 2023 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Lead strategy, operations, and business support for a $400M annual portfolio, managing the strategic planning process and annual budget alignment.Partner with leadership to develop and implement strategies, ensuring alignment of investments with organizational priorities.Oversee talent management initiatives, including recruitment and onboarding, to build a high-performing team culture.Engage strategically with global partners, enhancing collaboration and driving impact in maternal and child health initiatives.Streamline operational processes, increasing efficiency and capacity for forward-looking analyses.

Education

• George Mason University

  MA, Public Administration

  2008 — 2010

• Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

  Post-graduate Diploma, Strategy & Innovati

  2020 — 2021

• Rutgers University

  BA, Economics

  1994 — 1998

Skills

• Financial Variance Analysis
• Not for Profit
• Financial Strategy
• Policy
• Program Management
• A-110
• Omb Circular a-133
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Financial Process Improvement
• Grant Writing
• Budgeting
• Social Impact
• Not-for-Profit Experience
• Policy Analysis
• Program Development
• Management
• Corporate Budgeting
• Financial Policies & Procedures
• Data Analysis
• Grant Administration
• Research
• Federal Grants Management
• Program Evaluation
• Analysis
• Pre-Award
• Budgets
• Financial Management Experience
• Variance Explanations
• Finance
• Cost Variance Analysis
• Government Contracting
• Cost Sharing
• Cost Accounting Standards
• Forecasting
• Managerial Finance
• Triple Bottom Line
• Cash-Flow Management
• Grant Monitoring
• Internal Financial Reporting