Title: Director of Business Development, Program Director

Company: AXON Communications

Contact: jbarrett@axon-com.com

Location: Rye Brook, N.Y.

Jennifer M. Barrett, MS is an experienced health communication professional dedicated to improving health outcomes. She is currently a Director of Business Development and Program Director at AXON Communications, a global health care consultancy firm. She began her consulting career over a decade ago. As a communication strategist, she has focused on building awareness through health education, marketing and rebranding initiatives to result in behavior modification. She has led initiatives to develop a portfolio of business partnerships and alliances, enabling her to develop creative and unique solutions to address evolving health care industry trends.

She has developed creative strategic communication and marketing plans that address disease prevention, health promotion, patient advocacy and support, improvements in quality of care, as well educating on the social model of patient care. She has been an integral leader in health collaboration initiatives.

Jennifer has been awarded the Pinnacle Award while working in long term care; Top Sponsorship Partnership, Top Advocate and Supporter, and Top “Out of the Box Concept” fundraiser by the Alzheimer’s Association. She was also awarded 2008-2009 Professional of the Year: Business Development and Consultancy by Cambridge Who’s Who Registry. Jennifer has been published in Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs from 2007-present.

Jennifer has held multiple leadership roles in fundraising and cause marketing campaigns where she exceeded sponsorship, recruitment, and financial goals. She has also provided strategic fundraising consultancy that targeted corporations and advocates. She has been a top fundraiser and supporter benefiting Stamford Hospital, Bennett Cancer Center and the CT Chapter Alzheimer’s Association. An active volunteer, Jennifer serves on multiple committees such as the Fairfield County CT Chapter Alzheimer’s Association. She has also offered strategic and tactical support to Sound Affects, and was a founding member of Southwest CT Alzheimer’s Consortium. She is also an active member of the Healthcare Business Woman’s Association.

Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Fairfield University with a B.A., double major in English and Political Science. She graduated Magma Cum Laude and as a Dean’s Scholar, and was an active member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Tau Delta, and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies. Jennifer holds a Master of Science in Health Communication from Boston University, graduating top of her class. Since ongoing education is essential in the health industry, she has completed coursework through Stanford University School of Medicine.

Jennifer’s advice to the younger generation of women entering the workforce is to seek out an appropriate mentor and obtain as much diverse education as possible. Also, by having a diverse background, one can transfer a lot of skills to additional projects and career opportunities. Most importantly, it’s crucial for the younger generation to learn and understand how to appropriately engage clients while maintaining those relationships.