Lochlin Partners Recruits Chief Data and Analytics Officer for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
November 6, 2024 – Executive search firm Lochlin Partners has placed Ankur Jain as chief data and analytics officer of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Our selected candidate, Ankur Jain, is an accomplished technology executive with extensive experience in both business-to-business and direct-to-consumer business models,” Lochlin Partners said.
“Ankur will help propel the continued growth of St. Jude and its impact on families across the globe by leading cutting-edge strategies to continue meeting our generous supporters where they are in a rapidly changing world,” said Richard C. Shadyac, president and CEO of ALSAC.
Most recently, Mr. Jain served as vice president and head of data science, analytics, AI/ML at Whole Foods, an Amazon company. In this role, he led a large, centralized data, science and analytics organization for Amazon’s grocery business (Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go). Prior to that, Mr. Jain held leadership roles at Tiffany & Co. (now part of LVMH) and the Estée Lauder Companies.
At ALSAC, Mr. Jain will help enhance the organization’s data, AI, and analytics capabilities to create highly personalized experiences for the 11 million active supporters of St. Jude, as well as other critical business initiatives. This strategic leadership role oversees a wide range of data-related functions ensuring ALSAC maximizes these assets to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“My wife and I experienced the pain of losing a child ourselves, so this opportunity to help advance cures and treatments across the world is deeply meaningful,” Mr. Jain said. “In my career, I have been deeply involved in harnessing the power of data to drive personalized experiences for consumers and now I’m privileged to work to deliver even more rewarding journeys for our supporters who rally for such a pure cause.”
St. Jude is in the midst of a $12.9 billion strategic plan to advance cures and treatments for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases across the globe, which will also mean some 2,500 new jobs at ALSAC and St. Jude this decade. Under Mr. Shadyac’s leadership since 2009, ALSAC has nearly quadrupled revenues to fund the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.
Related: Lochlin Partners Assists SOME with CEO Search
Lochlin Partners conducts searches for board and executive-level positions within government and corporate affairs, government contracting, technology and services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare. The firm is led by managing partners Liza Wright, and Pat Friel. Each of the managing partners has been in the search business for 20 or more years and has been a partner in one of the four large international firms—and in most cases has run a major office or practice at those firms.
Recent Assignments
Lochlin Partners recently recruited Alan Feldenkris as chief communications and marketing officer (CCMO) at the National Audubon Society. Reporting to the CEO, the CCMO serves as a key member of Audubon’s leadership team, responsible for both strategic leadership and hands-on execution of the organization’s communications and marketing initiatives.
3 Key Benefits to Hiring a Data & Analytics Leader
A recent survey by EY found that 53 percent of senior executives have identified data and analytics as their top investment priority in the next two years. This trend is not surprising given the vast amounts of data that companies generate daily. From customer behavior and preferences to market trends and competitive insights, data is a valuable business asset that can help companies make better decisions, improve their operations, and drive revenue growth. For organizations to truly monetize their data, however, they need leaders who can effectively analyze and interpret data assets. That’s where an experienced data and analytics leader can provide immense value to a business, says Aaron Maass of JM Search in a new report. “Simply collecting data will not extract profit or deliver strategic use,” said the report. “Companies need a clear framework and guidance to cultivate value. An experienced data and analytics leader can provide both.”
The experience and knowledge of a data-focused leader can simplify the process of aligning your data strategy with business goals and objectives. “Their regular immersion in data enables them to spot beneficial sources of information and metrics that drive the most business value,” said the report. “While your executive team understands industry and market trends, a distinct data expert can help the C-suite identify, organize, and report on data in a way that allows for efficient and effective data-driven decision making.”
“Our successful placement, Alan Feldenkris, is an accomplished communications and marketing professional with extensive experience in traditional, digital, social, and experiential marketing for leading brands and mission-driven organizations,” Lochlin Partners said. Previously, Mr. Feldenkris held senior communications and marketing positions at NPR, The Nature Conservancy, and Spirit of America.
Lochlin Partners also recently helped to recruit J.C. Glick as the new CEO of The COMMIT Foundation in Bozeman, MT. “We are thrilled to welcome JC as the new CEO of The COMMIT Foundation,” said Guy Filippelli, co-founder and board chair. “He represents everything we could hope for in a leader. He will absolutely bring this organization to another level, and truly make a meaningful difference for veterans as they define their lives after service.”
Mr. Glick brings a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, Mr. Glick has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies and the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. Mr. Glick is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University. Most recently, he served as partner and founder of Prodromos Leadership and Culture Consulting.
Related: Lochlin Partners Recruits Executive Director for the Pentagon Memorial Fund
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
