Jenna Henderson ’23 Sc.M. never imagined her career would lead her to the intersection of technology, policy and leadership. A civil engineer by training, she built her early career designing infrastructure and implementing community-driven solutions. But as technology began reshaping how cities operate, Henderson saw an opportunity to drive innovation into public-sector governance.
When she found Brown University’s Master’s in Technology Leadership (MTL) program, she gained the skills and perspective to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of public service. Today, as Program Manager for the City of Fort Worth, she is at the forefront of implementing policies and tools that didn’t exist when she first entered the field.
A fork in the road
When Henderson considered her next career move, she faced a pivotal decision: take a more conventional approach to education or pursue a degree in technology leadership. "One option would get me places quickly; the other, I sensed, aligned with where I really needed to go, " she said. Choosing the degree, she added, didn’t just accompany her professional journey — it accelerated it and set her apart.
What set Brown’s MTL program apart was its interdisciplinary approach, combining leadership, technology and policy.
“I wanted a program that didn’t just focus on tech, business or policy in isolation, but brought them together through the lens of leadership,” she said. “This program wasn’t about theory alone - it was about preparing real-world leaders for the challenges of tomorrow’s uncertain needs.”
She was also drawn to Brown’s legacy and the strong cohort model. “On my first visit to campus, I was struck by the redstone rough-hewn masonry blocks that seemed strong, timeless and full of character,” she remembered. “They felt symbolic of academia itself: a durable foundation; an investment in something built to last. I wanted to be a part of that legacy.”
A pivotal moment: The capstone project
For Henderson, a defining moment in her career was the program’s capstone, where she had the opportunity to work on a real-world project that ultimately laid the foundation for her current work in public-sector innovation.
Collaborating with the City of Fort Worth, IBM and Google, she co-developed an artificial intelligence-driven asset management model using an open innovation framework. The project was an intersection of public-sector needs with private-sector technology, surfacing complex issues such as intellectual property ownership, ethical considerations in AI development, risk and the limits of model explainability - particularly when leveraging transfer learning. Complexities that continue to inform AI policy today.
“Through that experience, I gained hands-on skills and a deeper understanding of business models, value propositions and the real-world constraints that shape innovation,” she said. “The experience reinforced my realizations about the value of cross-sector collaboration in building responsible, scalable solutions.”
This direct engagement shaped her present role, where she now leads a new program within the City of Fort Worth and continues to shape discussions about the use of AI in the public sector.
Faculty and courses that drew up her leadership blueprint
Several faculty members had a lasting impact on Henderson’s leadership development.
Robert Allio’s Leadership Theory course was so pivotal, she returned after the program to support him in a role as a teaching associate. “It changed my approach to leadership,” Henderson said. “I gained clarity on what it means to be a leader and established a leadership model that works for me. I also learned how to adapt that model over time, so I know his teachings will continue to shape and reshape my approach.”
When Allio retired, Henderson was asked to support MTL Program Director Peter Chomowicz’s Strategic Planning course, as well as Professor Banu Ozkazanc-Pan’s Innovation Strategy and Entrepreneurial Thinking courses.
“In tech spaces, we often rely on data to tell a story. But Peter’s framework is built for future scenarios where data is scarce or incomplete,” she explained. “It encourages leaders to build strategy out of uncertainty, not just analytics.” She now uses his approach for both long-range planning and everyday ideation sessions. Strategic Planning, she adds, is an essential course for anyone in technology, as it equips professionals to lean into ambiguity, anticipate and then respond to external forces across a range of time horizons and contexts.
She credits Professor Ozkazanc-Pan’s courses with sharpening her innovation strategy and helping her develop a more intentional, context-driven approach to problem-solving. “Her course taught me how to categorize innovation tools and apply them thoughtfully across different scenarios,” she said. “Now, I approach challenges with greater discipline - reflecting on my methods, documenting decisions and outcomes, adjusting when needed. She creates a learning environment where students feel seen and valued - exactly what innovation requires.
The unexpected benefit: A lifelong community
While Henderson expected to gain new skills, she didn’t anticipate the depth of connection she would feel with her classmates and faculty.
“The diversity of perspectives, lived experiences and shared growth shaped me in ways I couldn’t have predicted,” Henderson said. “It’s a network I continue to lean on. A true community.”
That sense of connection and shared purpose is what keeps her engaged with Brown even after graduation. As a Teaching Associate through the School of Professional Studies and an Adjunct Lecturer through the School of Engineering, she continues to mentor students and contribute to the evolution of the program.
“Why do I continue at Brown?” Henderson asked. “For the students, for the learning and for the pursuit of a deeply humanistic question that has long guided philosophers, educators and leaders alike: As good as I am today, how can I — or we, or society at large — be better tomorrow?”
Advice for future students
For those considering the program, Henderson offers this advice: “Come in with a challenge you're passionate about and be open to rethinking everything you know about solving it,” she said. “This program doesn’t just teach you new frameworks; it teaches you how to reframe your role as a leader.”
Looking back, her only regret is not starting sooner. "I spent too long waiting for the ‘right time’ to go back to school," she said. "But the truth is, the program met me where I was and pushed me in all the right ways."
When asked to sum up the program in one word, Henderson doesn’t hesitate: "Transformational."
"If you want to reach your maximum potential, define and shape the future, impact communities and lead change at the intersection of people, policy, business and technology — this is the program for you."