Jennifer Scheehle is the Founder and CEO of Inogize, a boutique strategy and executive advisory firm leveraging proprietary frameworks built upon foundations of curiosity, empathy, and adaptability; allowing companies to maximize innovation, strategy, and execution. Jennifer began her career as a researcher at Battelle, led key account sales for two software startups that realized successful exits, is a former American Heart Association executive, and is immediate past-chair of Form5 Prosthetics’ board of directors and nominating committee.

Jennifer holds undergraduate degrees in engineering from the University of Washington and a Masters of Business Administration from Capital University. Jennifer is an Advisor for SEA (Social Enterprise Accelerator) Change and a Mentor to startup ventures at The Ohio State University. Jennifer has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 Award winner by Business First and an Alumni of Distinction by Capital University.

How did you become an executive in the health care industry? Have you always been interested in health care?

I’ve always been intrigued by science, the role it plays in the world around us, and how its power can be harnessed to improve people’s lives. I also deeply value relationships and bringing people together to accomplish important endeavors. For me, healthcare was a terrific convergence of both.

I began my career as a lab researcher, made a jump into the startup space, and from there progressed into elevated roles that allowed me to have both greater impact and influence. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, coaches, and advisors to help guide me as I learned how to best leverage my strengths and skills, while also growing my ability to serve and empower others.

I think being a continuous learner, solution-oriented, delivering results, and seeking out and valuing the thoughts and perspectives of those around me have been important parts of my executive rise.

Prior to your consultancy, you spent 14 years with the American Heart Association. How did your experience at a national healthcare nonprofit prepare you for your board role at Form5 Prosthetics?

In my final role with the AHA, I was a market leader partnering directly with our board to achieve the highest levels of growth from both revenue and impact perspectives. Our board and committees were critical to achieving these aims via the tremendous knowledge, experience, and network that members provided, in addition to their general oversight.

When I joined the board of Form5, an innovative medical device company focused on empowering individuals with limb differences, the organization was at a growth inflection point. My past experience equipped me with the knowledge and understanding of how the board could be most effective in supporting the organization’s aspirations and achievement of its goals.

Our aim at the board level was to add value. Supporting the CEO, sharing our expertise, ensuring strong governance, making introductions to potential partners, and a commitment to transparent, candid dialogue in order to foster better decision-making. Each was an important piece of the board’s contributions.

What are common pain points among Inogize’s healthcare clients that you believe fellow WBL members could benefit from evaluating at their own companies?

Our healthcare clients are thinking boldly about the future and how they can deliver exceptional outcomes, value, and experience. Pain points we are currently helping our healthcare clients navigate as they build 3-5-10 year corporate strategies include economic headwinds, talent shortages, declining confidence in medical systems (per Gallup, trust in this space has declined 6% in the past year), and how to best leverage technological advancements.

Often, pain points can uncover opportunity, and that is where our clients are focusing as they work to maximize revenue, impact, and future potential. I recommend strategy check-ins: reconnecting with stakeholder groups at a personal level, leveraging inputs towards further ideation, and then sharing back learnings and how these contributions make achieving the organization’s mission and vision possible.

Not only does this process lead to enhanced innovation, but also alignment and accountability, which are critical to successful operational execution and growth.

Personally, or professionally, what might the WBL network be surprised to know about you?

I have a great appreciation of both art and science. I began playing the piano at age 5, competed at the state level in high school, and was offered scholarships to continue in college. I decided to focus my undergraduate studies instead on engineering, but the creativity that lives in music and the ability to adapt a piece so that it resonates with different audiences are most definitely applicable to my professional life today.