Penn GSE has named Jess Jones as the next director of its Chief Learning Officer (CLO) Program, effective June 1, 2026, following a national search.
The CLO Program prepares senior executives to lead learning and talent development at the highest levels of their organizations. Designed for working professionals, the three-year executive doctoral program blends research, leadership, and business strategy, equipping graduates to drive organizational performance and innovation across industries.
“Jess brings deep familiarity with the program and a strong track record of leadership across sectors,” said Penn GSE Dean Katharine Strunk. “I am confident that she will be an outstanding steward of the CLO program, and I look forward to its continued growth and impact under her leadership.”
Jones brings a distinctive combination of deep program knowledge and broad leadership experience to the role. A graduate of Penn GSE’s CLO program, she currently serves as a leader and instructor within the program, positioning her to guide its continued evolution with both insider perspective and strategic vision.
In her new role, Jones will oversee the direction and development of the program, drawing on extensive experience spanning consulting, healthcare, and higher education. Her leadership background includes co-founding Back to Human Partners in 2024, a leadership training and consulting firm focused on authentic leadership development. Prior to that, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Huron Consulting’s Leadership Division, where she led strategy, budgeting, and business development for a major division.
Jones is also a trained executive coach through the Teleos Leadership Institute and a certified Prosci change management practitioner. Her scholarship and writing—focused on psychological safety and power dynamics in organizations—has been featured in Chief Learning Officer and Chief Talent Officer magazines.
In addition to her Penn GSE Ed.D., Jones has earned an M.S. in interdisciplinary telecommunications, and dual bachelor’s degrees in business information systems and psychology from the University of Colorado.
Jones’s appointment reflects Penn GSE’s continued investment in leadership development at the intersection of learning, organizations, and innovation. As director, she will help shape the program’s next chapter, building on its foundation while expanding its reach and impact for learning leaders across industries.
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