Photo by Annie Marie Photography .
St. Catherine University’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Jennifer Ortale has been elected to the Board. She brings a wide variety of accomplishments and expertise to a board comprised of leaders in business, education, healthcare, law, religion, and civic life. Her membership completes a board of 26 trustees, led by board chair Jean Wincek, CSJ, ‘62. See the full list of trustees.
“It is with great honor that we welcome Jennifer onto the Board of Trustees,” said President Rebecca Roloff ’76. “Her experience and dedication will enrich the insight of our team and strengthen our continued effort educating women to lead and influence, and we look forward to seeing her impact as she steps into this new role.”
Ortale brings her experiences from a 25-year career in executive benefits and other advanced planning life insurance solutions to her role as trustee. She is currently the national vice president of executive benefits at Securian Financial. Prior to that, she was corporate vice president of advanced markets at New York Life and vice president of sales at Prudential.
Throughout her career, Ortale has been a long-term supporter of the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP), serving on its board starting in 2011 and then as board chair from 2016-2020. STEP provides the local community with necessary resources like food and clothing in addition to advocacy and referrals.
Ortale holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in leadership, both from Augsburg University in Minneapolis.
“I am honored to be part of St. Kate’s Board of Trustees,” Ortale said. “This role fits well with my belief in education as well as my personal commitments to be an ally for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”