Nancy Jacobson
Encyclopedia
Nancy Jacobson is a United States Democratic Party
fundraiser. She has been the National Finance Chair for Indiana Senator Evan Bayh
since 1995, and was Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee
(DNC) and Democratic Leadership Council
(DLC) under President Clinton. She has helped launch political organizations to support centrist Democratic Party ideas and candidates, and engage women in the political process. In 2010, she founded No Labels
, a 501(c)(4) citizens movement of Republicans, Democrats and Independents whose mission is
to address the politics of problem solving. Jacobson was named one of the 50 Most Powerful People in D.C. by GQ Magazine in 2007.
degree in political science
from Syracuse University
, and a Master's degree
in public relations
from American University
.
Jacobson’s entry into politics was as a student at Syracuse
, when she held a fundraiser for Colorado Senator and presidential candidate Gary Hart
in New York. Hart was the main challenger to former Vice-President Walter Mondale
for the 1984 Democratic nomination. After her event, Jacobson was appointed co-coordinator for New York’s 27th congressional district, and then an alternate delegate to the 1984 Democratic national convention in San Francisco. Following the convention, she was hired as Hart’s receptionist and then moved to the fundraising department, where she worked until 1988.
Upon Hart’s exit from the 1988 presidential campaign, Jacobson was hired to then Senator Al Gore
’s presidential campaign. Gore was one of the front-runners that year, placing third in the primaries. During that time, Jacobson also worked for the Democratic Senate campaign committee under Senator John Kerry.
From 1989–1991, Jacobson was the Political Action Committee (PAC) Director for the International Council of Shopping Centers
(ICSC), the global trade association of the shopping center industry. At the ICSC PAC, Jacobson was responsible for soliciting personal contributions from ICSC members to support Congressional candidates who shared the industry’s interests.
's Presidential campaign as Finance Director for the Mid-Atlantic region. After Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, Jacobson was appointed as the Finance Director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for Bill Clinton and led fundraising efforts for the Inauguration.
(DNC). In 1993, she created the Women's Leadership Forum, the first female-only finance council tasked to raise money and party awareness among women. Since its inception, the Women's Leadership Forum has sponsored an annual issues conference providing its members with access to female leaders and high-level policy makers, as well as training in organizing and fundraising. Event speakers have included Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama in 2008 and Senator Hillary Clinton in 2006.
While at the DNC, Jacobson also created the Saxophone club, the first national young professionals donor club within the DNC.
(DLC).
From 1995-2008, Jacobson built the DLC’s major donor program by getting centrist donors engaged in the DLC, which, at that time, was responsible for President Clinton’s "new Democrat" agenda, and was credited with moving the party to the center.
. Over the past 15 years, she has been responsible for the Senator’s overall fundraising strategy, and for building relationships with the donor community.
In 2008, Jacobson led Senator Bayh’s finance team during his bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president
. During this time, she was tasked with building a self-sustaining fundraising organization that would allow the senator to opt-out of the federal public financing system. To this end, Jacobson focused on finding new centrist Democrats who became active in the party after the Clintons had left office. She also recruited young entrepreneurs who appreciated Bayh’s budget balancing resume as an Indiana governor.
called NEXT Generation to raise money and support for centrist candidates running for the Senate. The mission of the group is to bring together the next generation of business leaders with the next generation of political leaders through forums where they can exchange ideas and information. Jacobson has been NEXT Generation’s Executive Chair since it’s founding.
of the moderate wing of the progressive movement. Third Way works with elected officials, candidates, and advocates to develop and advance moderate policy ideas in Congress. The group's issue trainings have been used in the House and Senate, and by governors and congressional candidates.
, Jacobson and her husband, Mark Penn
"helped brand the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign as a depository for special-interest contributions."
In October 2007, Jacobson created the Women’s Summit Series to reach out and recruit women to raise funds. As a result, 1400 women nationwide came to Washington for the $2300 per person summit to support Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign.
, Democratic pollster and CEO of Burson-Marsteller. The couple met in 1996 when Evan Bayh
, then governor of Indiana, introduced them at a Democratic Leadership Council event. Married since 1999, they are parents to daughter Blair and three children from Penn’s previous marriage.
The Penns host monthly dinners for powerful Democrats, journalists, and other political figures at their Georgetown home. These events are known for their seriousness and focus on the issues of the day.
In July 2009, Jacobson hosted an event at her home for LIFT (formerly National Student Partnerships), a movement to combat poverty in major American cities. She is the 2010 chair of the Sidwell Friends School auction and was recently elected to the board of the White House Project on women.
Jacobson was one of 10 Washingtonians the French writer Patrick Sabatier profiled in his book, Washington Confidential, a Frenchman's view of Washington for his audience in Europe.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
fundraiser. She has been the National Finance Chair for Indiana Senator Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
since 1995, and was Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
(DNC) and Democratic Leadership Council
Democratic Leadership Council
The Democratic Leadership Council was a non-profit 501 corporation that, upon its formation, argued the United States Democratic Party should shift away from the leftward turn it took in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s...
(DLC) under President Clinton. She has helped launch political organizations to support centrist Democratic Party ideas and candidates, and engage women in the political process. In 2010, she founded No Labels
No Labels
No Labels is a political organization of Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the United States whose stated mission is to address the politics of problem solving...
, a 501(c)(4) citizens movement of Republicans, Democrats and Independents whose mission is
to address the politics of problem solving. Jacobson was named one of the 50 Most Powerful People in D.C. by GQ Magazine in 2007.
Early life
Jacobson graduated with a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, and a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
.
Jacobson’s entry into politics was as a student at Syracuse
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, when she held a fundraiser for Colorado Senator and presidential candidate Gary Hart
Gary Hart
Gary Hart is an American politician, lawyer, author, professor and commentator. He served as a Democratic Senator representing Colorado , and ran in the U.S...
in New York. Hart was the main challenger to former Vice-President Walter Mondale
Walter Mondale
Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States , under President Jimmy Carter, and as a United States Senator for Minnesota...
for the 1984 Democratic nomination. After her event, Jacobson was appointed co-coordinator for New York’s 27th congressional district, and then an alternate delegate to the 1984 Democratic national convention in San Francisco. Following the convention, she was hired as Hart’s receptionist and then moved to the fundraising department, where she worked until 1988.
Upon Hart’s exit from the 1988 presidential campaign, Jacobson was hired to then Senator Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
’s presidential campaign. Gore was one of the front-runners that year, placing third in the primaries. During that time, Jacobson also worked for the Democratic Senate campaign committee under Senator John Kerry.
From 1989–1991, Jacobson was the Political Action Committee (PAC) Director for the International Council of Shopping Centers
International Council of Shopping Centers
Founded in 1957, the International Council of Shopping Centers is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its 60,000 members in the U.S., Canada and more than 80 other countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, lenders,...
(ICSC), the global trade association of the shopping center industry. At the ICSC PAC, Jacobson was responsible for soliciting personal contributions from ICSC members to support Congressional candidates who shared the industry’s interests.
Bill Clinton presidential campaign (1991–1993)
In August 1991, Jacobson joined Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's Presidential campaign as Finance Director for the Mid-Atlantic region. After Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, Jacobson was appointed as the Finance Director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for Bill Clinton and led fundraising efforts for the Inauguration.
Democratic National Committee (1993 - 1995)
When President Clinton assumed office in 1993, he appointed Jacobson Finance Chair of the Democratic National CommitteeDemocratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
(DNC). In 1993, she created the Women's Leadership Forum, the first female-only finance council tasked to raise money and party awareness among women. Since its inception, the Women's Leadership Forum has sponsored an annual issues conference providing its members with access to female leaders and high-level policy makers, as well as training in organizing and fundraising. Event speakers have included Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama in 2008 and Senator Hillary Clinton in 2006.
While at the DNC, Jacobson also created the Saxophone club, the first national young professionals donor club within the DNC.
Democratic Leadership Council (1995–2008)
In 1995, Nancy Jacobson became Senior Advisor and National Finance Chair for the centrist Democratic Leadership CouncilDemocratic Leadership Council
The Democratic Leadership Council was a non-profit 501 corporation that, upon its formation, argued the United States Democratic Party should shift away from the leftward turn it took in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s...
(DLC).
From 1995-2008, Jacobson built the DLC’s major donor program by getting centrist donors engaged in the DLC, which, at that time, was responsible for President Clinton’s "new Democrat" agenda, and was credited with moving the party to the center.
Evan Bayh senatorial & presidential campaigns (1995 - Present)
Since 1995, Jacobson has been the National Finance Director/Chairman for Indiana Senator Evan BayhEvan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
. Over the past 15 years, she has been responsible for the Senator’s overall fundraising strategy, and for building relationships with the donor community.
In 2008, Jacobson led Senator Bayh’s finance team during his bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president
Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008
The 2008 Democratic presidential primaries were the selection process by which voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 U.S. presidential election...
. During this time, she was tasked with building a self-sustaining fundraising organization that would allow the senator to opt-out of the federal public financing system. To this end, Jacobson focused on finding new centrist Democrats who became active in the party after the Clintons had left office. She also recruited young entrepreneurs who appreciated Bayh’s budget balancing resume as an Indiana governor.
NEXT Generation (1998 - Present)
In 1998, Jacobson founded a political action committeePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
called NEXT Generation to raise money and support for centrist candidates running for the Senate. The mission of the group is to bring together the next generation of business leaders with the next generation of political leaders through forums where they can exchange ideas and information. Jacobson has been NEXT Generation’s Executive Chair since it’s founding.
Third Way (2004 - 2008)
In 2004, Jacobson helped launch Third Way, a think tankThink tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
of the moderate wing of the progressive movement. Third Way works with elected officials, candidates, and advocates to develop and advance moderate policy ideas in Congress. The group's issue trainings have been used in the House and Senate, and by governors and congressional candidates.
Hillary Clinton presidential campaign (2007 - 2008)
In 2007, Jacobson joined Senator Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign as a Senior Advisor, working with Clinton's national finance director. According to New York Times columnist Frank RichFrank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
, Jacobson and her husband, Mark Penn
Mark Penn
Mark J. Penn , is the worldwide CEO of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller and president of the polling firm Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates. In September 2007, he released a book titled Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes, which examines small trends sweeping...
"helped brand the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign as a depository for special-interest contributions."
In October 2007, Jacobson created the Women’s Summit Series to reach out and recruit women to raise funds. As a result, 1400 women nationwide came to Washington for the $2300 per person summit to support Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign.
Personal and Family
Nancy Jacobson is married to Mark PennMark Penn
Mark J. Penn , is the worldwide CEO of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller and president of the polling firm Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates. In September 2007, he released a book titled Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes, which examines small trends sweeping...
, Democratic pollster and CEO of Burson-Marsteller. The couple met in 1996 when Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
, then governor of Indiana, introduced them at a Democratic Leadership Council event. Married since 1999, they are parents to daughter Blair and three children from Penn’s previous marriage.
The Penns host monthly dinners for powerful Democrats, journalists, and other political figures at their Georgetown home. These events are known for their seriousness and focus on the issues of the day.
In July 2009, Jacobson hosted an event at her home for LIFT (formerly National Student Partnerships), a movement to combat poverty in major American cities. She is the 2010 chair of the Sidwell Friends School auction and was recently elected to the board of the White House Project on women.
Jacobson was one of 10 Washingtonians the French writer Patrick Sabatier profiled in his book, Washington Confidential, a Frenchman's view of Washington for his audience in Europe.