Jennifer Nicely, CFRE

CHI Memorial Foundation

Jennifer Willis Nicely, CFRE is the Foundation President and Chief Philanthropy Officer for CHI Memorial, a role she has held since March 2008. Jennifer also serves as the Southeast Division Vice President of Philanthropy. She came to Memorial from Siskin Children’s Institute where she served as Director of Development. Previous fundraising experience includes nine years with Memorial Health Care System Foundation. She received her B.A. in English with a Business Administration minor from Vanderbilt University. She earned Certification as a Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2003 and graduated from Leadership Chattanooga in 2006.

Jennifer’s fundraising experience has spanned from special events to annual fund to major gifts both as a professional and a volunteer. She has played an integral role in the Foundation’s fundraising efforts totaling more than $60M.

She has twice been honored with the Elise Chapin Moon Sustainer of the Year by the Junior League of Chattanooga, was named a 2010 Chattanooga Woman of Distinction, received the Athena International Award for Leadership in 2021, and the CommonSpirit Health Value in Philanthropy Award in 2021. Her other professional affiliations include the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy and the Rotary Club of Chattanooga.

Jennifer is married to attorney Maury Nicely and they have two children, Charlie and William. She is an active community volunteer having served in various leadership roles with numerous organizations. She is also a parent volunteer for McCallie School and active member at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.