In Somali, the word xukuma [hoo.koo.ma] means  “life the way you want it to be.”

After 25 years of working with leading institutions, inspiring leaders, and exciting start-ups, in and out of the non-profit sector, I founded Xukuma, LLC to pursue my “xukuma” and work with the leaders of for-impact organizations to help them capture their own.

Jennifer L. Goldstone
Founder & CEO

jenn@xukuma.net

I am accepting clients for January 2027.

I coach senior leaders and C-suite executives, including CEOs and executive team members, navigating high-stakes moments: stepping into a new role, leading through organizational change, preparing for a leadership transition, or sharpening strategy under pressure. Having held several C-suite roles, I know the demands of the seat firsthand. Our work together is practical and confidential. We clarify priorities, pressure-test decisions, strengthen executive presence and team alignment, and turn strategy into action. I draw on my training in Co-Active coaching, agile leadership, and change leadership, and when a challenge calls for it, I step out of the coaching role and help with the strategy work directly.

From October 2023 through August 2026, I served as Deputy CEO of UpStart, a national Jewish social entrepreneurship organization supporting more than 250 ventures. I came to UpStart after a two-year engagement as the inaugural Jewish Life Venture Fellow at the William Davidson Foundation, where I led the creation of a venture capital-inspired grantmaking process for growth-stage initiatives in Jewish education.

I founded Xukuma in 2016, after consulting for the Paul E. Singer Foundation (TPESF). I arrived at TPESF from the Birthright Israel Foundation, where I was COO, and before that I was co-executive partner of SeaChange Capital Partners. Founded by retired Goldman Sachs partners, SeaChange advances nonprofit mergers and acquisitions and other forms of collaboration between organizations, and advises on capital growth campaigns, spin-outs, and restructurings.

Earlier in my career, I directed member services at the Jewish Funders Network, shaping membership strategy and leading recruitment and retention. As development director at the Curriculum Initiative, I supported a nonprofit dedicated to building Jewish identity in independent schools. I began my nonprofit career at Outward Bound USA, first as national director of foundation relations and later as director of marketing and communications for Expeditionary Learning Schools, Outward Bound’s public education reform division.

Before moving into the nonprofit world, I worked as a journalist and producer at ABC News from 1995 to 2003. I hold a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Columbia University.

My credentials include 21/64 Certified Advisor, RevJen Professional Facilitator, and Core Guide for Chief. I am a trained Interim Executive Director and hold a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource, an Agile Leadership Certification from Six Sigma International, Co-Active Coaching Fundamentals training, and a Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University.

current, past, and pro-bono clients

references

There’s no issue too large or too daunting for Jenn. Whatever the challenge, she breaks it down to a clear, manageable roadmap, and then supports her client the entire way through. Jenn has a keen understanding of people, and the unique ability to both be supportive and empathetic as well as direct and action-oriented. She calls her style “sleeves-rolled-up coaching” and it’s an apt description. An extraordinary coach, Jenn is available when I need her, and a tremendous support to me in my role as founder of a start-up.

Shira Berkovits, Esq., Ph.D.,
Founder and CEO, Sacred Spaces

Jenn is a gifted coach with the rare ability to simultaneously push and support her clients to help them grow. Her vast experience allows her to consistently apply learnings and best practices to specific challenges in a way that is authentic, relevant and productive. I’m lucky to have worked with her at a pivotal stage in my career and can honestly say that I came away from each meeting more inspired and confident. I wholeheartedly recommend her to any individual or organization that wants to take their work to the next level.

Samantha Coulombe
Public Relations Executive

What a gift Jenn Goldstone has been in helping my professional development. She has the rare ability to be direct yet kind, firm and warm, wise and wise-hearted. Thank you for helping me be a better professional.

Rabba Sara Hurwitz
President
Yeshivat Maharat

I was leading the team at SeaChange Capital Partners when Jenn Goldstone joined us as a Vice President. Jenn immediately began contributing at a high level in a range of areas, from communications to donor and grantee relations to being an important guide and mentor to our younger professionals. Jenn was promoted to partner and succeeded me alongside another colleague to lead the organization in 2011. Her diverse background of experience and high-energy, optimistic demeanor position Jenn to add significant value to aspirational organizations.

Charles T. Harris III
Managing Director, Blue Meridian Partners
Portfolio Manager, Director of Capital Aggregation
The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation

Jenn has that rare ability of seeing the macro and the micro. She is detail-obsessed and 10,000-foot savvy. A natural puzzle-solver, she is a great thought partner and leader, who cares deeply about every client, project, and opportunity with which she is entrusted. 

Gali Cooks
Executive Director
Leading Edge