Jennifer Havens named director of Pamplin's Center for Business Analytics
Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business has appointed Jennifer Havens as the new director of the Center for Business Analytics. A seasoned entrepreneur, executive leader, and professional coach, Havens carries a breadth of experience spanning industries from health care and biotech to manufacturing and tech startups.
Havens' appointment comes at a time when the role of effective leadership in inspiring innovation and collaboration has never been more crucial. This fall, 115,000 square feet of collaborative space opens to the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the Pamplin College of Business as Virginia Tech completes the first phase of the Global Business and Analytics Complex on the Blacksburg campus. This new Data and Decision Sciences building gathers business, computer science, engineering, and data-related disciplines under one roof to provide opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders to work side-by-side to address some of the world’s significant data challenges.
As Virginia Tech reinforces its commitment to transdisciplinary learning, leaders who can create a culture of innovation, trust, and agility are key to fostering these partnerships. Havens’ track record showcases her capacity to do just that.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Virginia Tech’s Center for Business Analytics director during this exciting, future-focused phase. As we foster connections among students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders, all working together to tackle high-impact global problems, I hope to collaborate with colleagues throughout the university,” said Havens.
Havens spent the last decade in leadership effectiveness and development. Her most recent roles include serving as an executive coach at Amazon, where she shaped organizational strategy and culture, established return on investment frameworks, and designed the first group coaching program within Worldwide Operations at Amazon. Her contributions led to a 96 percent uptick in peer connectivity, leadership presence, and operational innovation within Amazon, earning her the Earns Trust award in 2022.
One of Havens’ most notable achievements was as the founding leader of Carilion Clinic’s Institute for Leadership Effectiveness. She reduced turnover and improved management scores by implementing a Dyad leadership development approach. She also established the PEAKS Leadership Development Process, leading to improvements in emotional and social intelligence; diversity, equity, and inclusion management scores; and employee retention.
“I am eager to utilize my extensive and diverse professional experience and knowledge to enhance the efficacy of our graduate students' self-leadership while simultaneously augmenting their capacity to lead, inform, and influence stakeholders. My aspiration is that they will embark on or continue their careers with the assurance and competencies required to navigate complex challenges, cultivate inclusivity, and make a substantial impact,” said Havens.
An alumna of the Pamplin College of Business with a bachelor's degree in marketing management, Havens also holds an MBA from Radford University. She is also a Certified ROI Professional, Professional Certified Coach, and Certified Mentor Coach from the International Coaching Federation.
Jay Winkeler, executive director of the Center for Business Analytics (CBA), said, “We are excited to have Jennifer join the CBA team. The breadth and depth of her experience will strengthen our MSBA-BA program and enhance the educational and experiential learning experience for our students.”
Havens' appointment reinforces the university’s commitment to transdisciplinary partnerships. Students in the Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Analytics (MSBA-BA) program administered by the center, will develop skills and behaviors in building and fostering trust, engaging in healthy conflict, leadership finesse, stakeholder strategies and influence, and self-awareness.
The center is preparing to welcome its largest cohort of MSBA-BA students this fall.
