Jennifer McKenna, BS, BA, CTBS, serves as a Clinical Supervisor for the Transplant Information Center at Gift of Life Donor Program, where she oversees critical operations related to kidney and pancreas allocation, research organ placement, and tissue donor coordination. With over 13 years of experience in donation and transplantation, McKenna is a nationally recognized leader in clinical operations and training.
She was nominated for The Alliance 40 Under 40 by Larry Suplee, Vice President of the Transplant Information Center at Gift of Life. “Jenn has been a driving force at Gift of Life for over a decade,” Suplee shared. “She leads with integrity, cultivates a high-performing team, and has contributed nationally through her committee work and public presentations on best practices in donation.”
Under McKenna’s supervision, Gift of Life’s in-house coordination team has consistently led the nation in kidney utilization and total kidneys transplanted. She has designed and implemented numerous training programs and workshops, and has presented her work at national conferences. Her efforts have also extended to the Gift of Life Institute, where she serves on faculty, mentoring OPO professionals nationwide in conducting effective, compassionate family conversations.
McKenna’s expertise bridges technical excellence and emotional intelligence. Her leadership has enhanced allocation precision, improved referral and authorization workflows, and created a culture of coaching and collaboration within one of the country’s highest-performing OPOs.
Jennifer McKenna is emblematic of operational excellence in donation. Through mentorship, clinical leadership, and a steadfast dedication to improving outcomes, she continues to elevate the standards of care and service across the organ donation continuum.
