From Legacy to Relevance: Jennifer Holloran on the Future of American Bible Society
How do you honor a 200-year legacy without losing relevance for today?
That’s the question Dr. Jennifer Holloran has been asking since becoming the first female president of American Bible Society in 2024.
In this episode, Jennifer shares how her leadership was shaped by hardship, faith, and an openness to follow where God was leading, even when the path wasn’t clear. From rebuilding an organization in transition to empowering the people around her, Jennifer’s story truly is a masterclass for nonprofit leaders navigating change.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- How a challenging family life solidified her passion for the steady foundation of Scripture
- Why she believes leaning into tension is a crucial part of leadership
- The vision ABS has for the future of Bible engagement around the world
If you’re leading through transition or wrestling with the balance of honoring legacy and casting vision, Jennifer’s story will give you valuable perspective. Listen in!
Links
- American Bible Society
- Follow American Bible Society on Instagram and Facebook
Key Takeaways
- Lean into the potential of your team. Jennifer shared that leaders who empowered her were a huge part of the ultimate trajectory of her career. As more responsibility was gradually given to her, she was regularly pushed to grow. Who comes to mind for you that you should be more intentional about supporting or developing? How can you help them see the vision for their own potential?
- What kind of mindset are you bringing to your leadership? Is it a scarcity mindset, focused on the challenges you’re facing? Or is it an abundance mindset, convinced that every obstacle is an opportunity? We thought Jennifer’s words about the brokenness she saw in the organization being a gift was particularly inspiring.
- God will equip you for what He calls you to. This is undoubtedly a theme throughout Jennifer’s life. Whenever she was unsure of the next step but felt a pull in a direction, she took a step of faith and trusted that God would provide. Are you trusting that God will provide in the ways you need, even if that looks different than you expect it to?
Meet the Guest
Dr. Jennifer Holloran serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at The American Bible Society. With decades of experience in the global movement to expand Bible access and engagement, Jennifer has a keen ability to lead strategically and pursue innovation.
Prior to joining American Bible Society, Jennifer served Wycliffe Bible Translators USA for more than 22 years in various leadership roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. In this position, she oversaw Wycliffe USA’s global operations, including field partnerships, church engagement, finances, human resources, marketing and communications, development, and technology.
In addition to her work experience, Jennifer has also served on the boards of numerous organizations working to further develop Bible access and engagement, including Missio Nexus, Mission Aviation Fellowship USA, and Partners International.
Jennifer holds a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University as well as a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in human resources from University of Central Florida.
