Jennifer MacDonald, MD

COO, Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI)

Jennifer MacDonald, MD, is a physician executive and Army veteran experienced in leading diverse coalitions to achieve strategic impact at scale. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, a member-based public private partnership with a mission to grow the nation’s bioeconomy and realize the transformational power of regenerative medicine and manufacturing. Prior to this role, Dr. MacDonald served at senior levels of the federal government, leading multiple successful growth and transformation efforts and personally driving the execution of strategic priorities for two Cabinet Secretaries. At the Department of Homeland Security, she led efforts on non-traditional aviation technology, spearheaded efforts to improve health care quality and equity in the immigration detention system, and managed the establishment of a joint task force on domestic extremism.

Most recently, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, she led the organization’s nationwide transformation into a hybrid delivery and payor system; redesigned strategy for a $300 billion infrastructure portfolio; led COVID-19 staffing and operations efforts through the height of the pandemic; and oversaw preparedness efforts for passage of the largest Veterans benefits legislation in a generation. She served as a spokesperson for the enterprise, engaging VA’s 400,000 employees, the White House, federal and state interagency partners, Congress, labor unions, and the media.

Prior to federal service, she served 11 years in the Minnesota National Guard and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning a Bronze Star for high profile mission achievement and volunteer humanitarian medical work. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of California, Los Angeles and medical school at the University of Minnesota.