JACQUELINE GERENA, MBA
I’m a speaker who blends lived experience, professional expertise, and powerful storytelling to ignite growth and shift mindsets—on stages large and small, around the world.
Whether I’m speaking to healthcare professionals, students, or corporate teams, I bring clarity, warmth, and strategy to every room I enter. My talks are more than motivational—they’re grounded in truth and designed to equip audiences with insight and action they can use right away.
Empowerment & Leadership Talks
From Representation to Impact: Becoming the Change We Want to See
Having a seat at the table is only the beginning. Real impact comes from owning your story, showing up with intention, and choosing to lead with purpose. In this inspiring talk, Jackie invites audiences to move beyond representation and step fully into their influence—because leadership isn’t a title, it’s a decision to use your voice and values to create change.
Participants will learn how to:
Use their personal story as a source of leadership and influence.
Move from representation to meaningful impact.
Show up with authenticity and confidence in professional spaces.
Lead with intention and create opportunities for others.
The Power of the Pause: Why Stepping Back Was the Most Powerful Step Forward
In this powerful and relatable talk, Jackie shares how stepping away from constant performance became one of the most courageous leadership decisions she’s made. Through personal story and practical insight, she challenges traditional ideas of success and reframes rest, boundaries, and self-advocacy as essential leadership strategies for sustainable impact.
Participants will learn how to:
Recognize early signs of burnout and why proactive rest matters.
Integrate small, intentional pauses to restore clarity and focus.
Use boundaries to support healthier, more sustainable teams.
Improve presence and decision-making by resetting between responsibilities.
Align to Lead: Values-Driven Leadership for a Sustainable Career
Why aligned leadership creates longevity, impact, and resilience—especially for rising professionals.
Takeaways:
– Burnout starts with misalignment
– Know your values—lead from them
– Sustainable success is intentional
Where You Come From Doesn’t Define Where You’re Going
Inspired by Jackie’s story in the book Extraordinary Latinas, this talk empowers audiences to turn heritage into strength.
Takeaways:
– Cultural pride fuels personal power
– Confidence is built, not given
– You define your path—no one else
Assessing Your Path: Designing an Intentional Career Journey
For those at a crossroads, this talk offers clarity and tools to build a career that aligns with who you are.
Takeaways:
– Strategy beats hustle
– Your values should lead your decisions
– Agency comes from self-awareness
The True ROI: Education, Mentorship, and Self-Belief
From teen mom to pharma leader, Jackie shares how investing in education and self-growth changed everything.
Takeaways:
– Education creates options
– Mentorship accelerates growth
– Self-belief is the best investment
Workplace & Industry Talks
Clinical Trial Diversity: From Concept to Commitment
Why inclusive trial design isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for better science and stronger outcomes.
Takeaways:
– Diverse trials mean better data
– Equity must be built in—not added on
– Representation affects safety and trust
Demystifying REMS: The Bridge Between Risk & Access
A clear, strategic breakdown of REMS—and how to manage compliance while ensuring access.
Takeaways:
– REMS supports both safety and equity
– Complexity can be made actionable
– Everyone has a role in implementation
Bridging Two Worlds: Technical Expertise Meets Value Proposition
Helping technical professionals translate deep knowledge into influence, clarity, and connection.
Takeaways:
– Speak to be understood, not just heard
– Technical accuracy can still be human
– Influence grows with clarity
Inspection Readiness: Leading with Compliance Every Day
Compliance isn’t a checkbox—it’s a mindset. In this talk, Jackie shares how to embed regulatory excellence into daily operations, so teams are always prepared for inspection without panic or pressure.
Takeaways:
– Inspection readiness starts long before an inspection
– Clear documentation builds trust and transparency
– Compliance culture must extend to partners and vendors
Featured at...
Contact Me: jackie@jackiegerena.org
United Latinas: Cafecito Power Break with Jacqueline Gerena - From Representation to Impact
Representation is only the beginning. Grab your cafecito and join Jacqueline Gerena in a powerful conversation hosted by Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham on how Latinas are shifting from being seen to making lasting change. Let’s talk visibility, purpose, and giving back to the communities that shaped us.
WHY SUMMITS 2025
On October 16, 2025 I had the privilege of both presenting and participating in a panel at the Why Summits — 2nd American Drug Safety Summit in Boston.
REMS at a Crossroad: From Transition to Transformation
In this panel, I discussed how REMS programs are evolving from compliance-driven frameworks to more collaborative, patient-centered safety strategies.
Beyond the Box Warning: Inclusive Leadership Driving the Next Era of Safety Risk Management
In my solo talk, I explored how inclusive leadership is shaping the future of safety risk management, including key FDA and ICH developments and practical ways to balance compliance, innovation, and patient access.
“The impact doesn’t have anything to do with title. It starts with intention — being intentional where you are today.”
~ Jackie Gerena, Speaker, Coach and Author
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCES
Panelist | OneWe Reach Conference | 2025
Panelist | American Drug Safety Summit, Why Summits | 2025
Panelist | REMS Industry Consortium | 2025, 2026
Panelist & Moderator | R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference | 2023
Panelist & Moderator | WOCIP | 2021- 2024
Co-Chair, Presenter, Panelist & Moderator | REMS Innovation Summit, Momentum Events | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Track Chair, Presenter, Panelist & Moderator | World Drug Safety Congress Americas, Terrapin | 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Host, Panelist & Keynote Speaker | Career Connections: Micro-Conference, Women of Color in Pharma | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Role Model | Featured on Nestle Health Sciences’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science Campaign | 2022
Presenter | HOSA International Leadership Conference, HOSA | 2021
Keynote Speaker | Advancing Women’s Leadership Skills & Opportunities in Pharma & Healthcare, DGE Events | 2021
Presenter | Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Pharma & Healthcare, DGE Events | 2021
Presenter | Fierce Drug Safety Week, Fierce Pharma | 2020 & 2021
EDUCATION
Executive Academy Certificate Program | WOCIP | 2025
Speakers Bureau Training and Certification Program (Obesity) | WOCIP | 2025
Hispanic-Latino Executive Leadership Program | McKinsey Academy | 2024
Global Leadership Accelerator Program | WOCIP | 2022
Speakers Bureau Training and Certification Program Graduate (COVID-19) | WOCIP | 2019
Doctorate of Business Administration, Organizational Leadership | Liberty University | Doctoral Candidate
Master of Business Administration, Marketing | Post University, Waterbury, CT | 2016
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Minor: Psychology | Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT | 2009
Associate in Science, General Studies | Tunxis Community College, Farmington, CT | 2007
ORGANIZATIONS
Board Member | OneWe Reach | Present
Board Member | Pathways-Senderos Center | Present
Co-Leader Communication and Marketing Working Group | REMS Industry Consortium | Present
Board Member, Director of Membership | WOCIP | 2025
Board Member, Committee-Lead/Special Projects | Women of Color in Pharma | 2024
Strategic Advisory Council Member | R.I.S.E Women’s Leadership | Present
Advisory Board Member | University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education | 2021-2024
Executive Board Member, Director of Committees | Women of Color in Pharma | 2022-2023
Board Member, Director of Professional Development and Cultural Lead | WOCIP | 2019-2021
Volunteer | Junior Achievement of Southwest Connecticut | 2014-2016
Assistant Cheerleading Coach | New Britain Jr. Hurricanes | 2013-2016
AWARDS
Ambassador Award | REMS Industry Consortium | 2025
ONYX Award | WOCIP | 2024
One PHoRce Award | Johnson & Johnson | 2023
Pinnacle Award | Aimmune Therapeutics | 2022
Disruptor Award | WOCIP | 2021
Spot Award | Alexion | 2016
Excellence Award | Aetna | 2008