Bridge Consulting International, LLC (Bridge) announced Thursday that the firm’s Chief Executive, Jenny Whitener, was elected to the board of trustees of RSA in the United States (RSA-US). Ms. Whitener’s election was unanimous, and she will serve a three-year term.
RSA-US is an affiliate of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA), founded in the UK in 1754. The RSA is an enlightenment organization committed to finding innovative, practical solutions to today’s social challenges. Working with partners to generate research and real progress in chosen project areas, the 27,000-strong RSA Fellowship is a source of capacity, commitment, and insight in communities across the globe.
“I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the RSA-US Fellowship in a new capacity alongside such a distinguished group of trustees,” said Ms. Whitener, a resident of Lookout Mountain, Ga. “RSA-US embodies the values of creativity, social activism, mentorship and leadership, and I hope to carry forward these ideals in my new role within the organization.”
In nominating Ms. Whitener to stand for election to the board, RSA-US President and CEO and Lookout Mountain resident David Turner said, “Jenny is a highly accomplished thinker and leader who fully appreciates the global reach and value of the RSA. She’s hardworking, responsible, diligent, and creative. Her real ability is connecting ideas and people to convert thought into action, and her expertise will be a valuable addition to the board.“
Ms. Whitener has been active in the Chattanooga RSA network since its inception, drawing on her extensive professional connections to build relationships and support local activities. Along with mentoring younger RSA Fellows as they develop community projects, Whitener has brokered a collaboration to develop a local “Arts and the Media” program between PBS and RSA Chattanooga and created a leadership development program for students at Calvin Donaldson School, the home of the Art with Dad catalyst project. Ms. Whitener’s first order of business on the national level has been working with Mr. Turner and the other trustees on a three-year strategic plan for RSA-US.
In her professional work with Bridge, Ms. Whitener focuses on accelerating business transformation for organizations through collaboration, creativity, leadership and strategy. An expert facilitator and architect of large-scale experiential learning sessions, her specialty is designing and delivering executive-level programs on leadership, team development, creativity and innovation, board visioning, and strategic planning for businesses across the globe. Ms. Whitener’s client list includes Ernst & Young, Prudential, GE Energy, Premier Inc, PlayCore, Royal Mail, Shell Exploration, and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. In addition, she has worked with numerous local non-profit organizations, including Allied Arts for Greater Chattanooga, Children’s Home/Chambliss Shelter, Public Education Foundation, Chattanooga Public Library, and PBS station WTCI-TV.