Reflections on a career full of heart: Q&A with Jeanne Jachim

Jeanne Jachim, Chief Philanthropy Officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Foundation (Seattle, Washington), is looking forward to a well-earned retirement after spending her entire career in philanthropy. But before her departure on May 15, we asked Jeanne to impart her wisdom from the past 30+ years of experience.

Below, Jeanne shares the most important throughline of her career: the people. She also reflects on the incredible technological transformation she’s witnessed, as well as how she put her whole self into her work, every day.

Q: What is one of your best memories or proudest moments with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health?

A: All my best memories are connected to the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and the relationships I have been a part of. There are so many donors I have had the privilege of getting to know well. I’ve gotten to sit with them in their homes, restaurants and cabins; at their bedsides; and even on their death beds. To be allowed into their lives has been a gift.  

Of course, colleagues, physicians and team members have also provided terrific memories. To be able to laugh and cry together; to learn, struggle and grow together; to overcome challenges and achieve great things together. Without a doubt, developing relationships and friendships with so many people created my best memories.

When I began in fundraising right out of college, it was job. Many of the other professionals I met (including the ones I worked with in that job) were men who came to fundraising as a bridge to retirement. They had been insurance salespeople, clergy, businesspeople and were now in fundraising. As a young female professional, I felt like an outlier; I was very aware that I didn’t fit the mold. 

I kept at it and learned what I could. Somewhere along the way, my desire to do this work grew, opportunities were offered to me that changed the mold, and a career was born. From my current vantage point, this feels pretty amazing!

Q: What is one of the biggest changes that you've lived through during your 30-year tenure in philanthropy?

A: The impact of technology has been significant. Mobile phones, Blackberries, smart phones, desktops, laptops, tablets, touchscreens, electronic medical records, websites, software, social media, texting, email, apps, virtual meetings, virtual patient appointments, CRMs, digital giving, scanning, electronic files. Every single one of these technology advancements has impacted the work of philanthropy, primarily in a positive way.

Ironically, the heart of our work is still the relationships we build with donors and each other. Technology simply provides us better and better tools that support our work in essential ways.

Q: What has kept you inspired about our work? What is your "why" for health care philanthropy?

When you and your family or friends are healthy, you don’t really think about health care. But when you or someone you love has health issues or a serious diagnosis, health care becomes personal.

I have always been inspired by stories about the care that patients receive: both the great outcomes they have, as well as the ones that didn’t have good outcomes, but great care was involved. Today, there are amazing medical treatments, surgical tools, medications and interventions. While this matters greatly to patients, what they talk about is how great their doctor, nurse or care team was. Humankindness and caring are a real thing, and we have the good fortune of seeing and being inspired by it!

My “why” goes hand in hand with what inspires me.

Philanthropy provides equipment, buildings, programs, staffing, education, care for the underserved, research and so on. Our philanthropic efforts collectively, and my individual work, are touching our patients every single day with every single dollar given, without fail.

This is powerful and why I love health care philanthropy. The impact is immediate and touches our patients in meaningful and lifesaving ways every single day. For me, that’s a “wow”!

Q: What advice would you give yourself in your early career days, knowing what you know now?

A: Use your whole self in your philanthropy career: your mind, your muscles, your feet and your heart.

- Your mind will help you understand the case for support and how to share it. It will help to develop strategies and plans; it will allow you to be  knowledgeable about your hospital and the world around you.
- Your muscles will support your ability to be flexible and pivot as needed. They will enable you to bounce back and be resilient; they will allow you to stretch and grow; and they will make you strong.
- Your feet will propel you and drive you forward. They will allow you to get to where you need to go; they will help you step out and continue your momentum.
- Your heart will drive your passion and your compassion. It will help build connections and relationships; it will bring out the best in you for all that you do.

And most of all, use your whole self to build relationships!

Q: What are you most looking forward to about retirement?

The ability to live life without a schedule, which will allow me to pursue a variety of personal interests like travel, cooking, books, gardening, investing — and, of course, my family!

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