Jennifer H. Wider
Jennifer H. Wider is a results-oriented, social impact and entrepreneurial executive with demonstrated success in business and resource development, innovation, strategic planning, and program development and management. She is a mission-driven leader passionate about identifying and implementing game-changing solutions to the most challenging issues affecting individuals in low-wealth communities. Jennifer has established an impressive track record in developing innovative programs and win-win relationships with major philanthropists, businesses, and community partners. Her accomplishments include developing and launching a $40-million tech diversity initiative with a leading global technology company; and funding, developing, and launching a $26 million research center. Jennifer has generated over $300 million in private and federal funding over her career to support capacity building and strategic initiatives in a broad range of areas, including research, education, economic and workforce development, technology, health, and justice.
Jennifer’s entire career has been dedicated to being a catalyst for change through dynamic business and social impact endeavors aimed at eliminating inequality. In her current role as President of Chariot Foundation, she is leading the philanthropic efforts of Chariot Companies, including its education portfolio under Chariot Labs. She also serves as a senior executive for Chariot Companies, focusing on business development. Prior to joining Chariot, Jennifer served as the Founding Executive Director of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) Center for Advancing Opportunity (CAO), a start-up education initiative that supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to develop research-based solutions to the barriers to opportunity in fragile communities. Jennifer drove the implementation and management of CAO programs and coordinated engagement with HBCU faculty and students to advance the Center’s mission. This work was an opportunity to further build upon her many years of achievements in supporting and building the capacity of HBCUs to deliver quality educational and career opportunities for students, many of which were the first in their families to attend college. While at TMCF, Jennifer previously served as the Vice President of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives where she developed new programs and established strategic partnerships to tackle persistent challenges impacting HBCUs, such as research, college completion, capacity building and career readiness. Internally, her work focused on developing innovative business solutions, driving cross-functional strategic initiatives, creating unprecedented revenue opportunities, and leading impact assessment work.
Jennifer’s career includes past positions with The New York Public Library, the Congress of National Black Churches and UNCF. She is passionately committed to making quality educational opportunities available for all students and recently served as chair of the board of a public charter school serving primarily at-risk youth pre-K through 8th grade in Southeast Washington, DC. Jennifer also serves as an economic and community development consultant.
She is a native of New York, a graduate of Syracuse University, and a contemporary artist.
