Jenny Z. Dirksen is the chief of staff at the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP). In this role, Jenny aligns people, processes, and priorities to translate the organization’s vision into coordinated action. Through trusted counsel and strategic oversight, Jenny expands the executive team’s capacity, strengthens decision-making, and drives overall organizational performance.
Prior to joining NCFP in 2026, Jenny worked at Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world through its No Kid Hungry campaign. During her tenure, Jenny served on the revenue and communications teams, building new platforms to grow the organization’s reach and effectiveness. She led culinary fundraising events nationally, established a platform to develop chefs and culinary professionals as local and federal advocates, and built and led internal communications and collaboration for a hybrid workforce of 250 staff members.
Jenny also served as right-hand to Danny Meyer, the acclaimed restaurateur and founder of Union Square Hospitality Group. She wore many hats, including writer, editor, and media relations lead; guest and staff liaison; and helm of Meyer’s community initiatives. Jenny was the organization’s first-ever director of community investment, responsible for charitable giving, fundraising events, employee volunteerism, and community relations. Previously, Jenny worked as a line cook at Tabla and Mesa Grill.
Jenny holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in cinema studies from New York University and an associate of occupational studies in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America. She lives in suburban New York with her husband, a public-school teacher, and children. Although she left professional kitchens decades ago, Jenny remains a devoted cook and baker, frequently found at an upstate orchard or farmers market discovering seasonal delights.