Jacquelynn Osoro is a strategic communications leader with a career spanning philanthropy, healthcare, public affairs, publishing, and journalism. She has led high-impact initiatives at the intersection of storytelling, public engagement, and outreach.
At the Luce Foundation, Jacquelynn leads strategic communications to amplify the foundation’s mission, shape its public narrative, and strengthen engagement with key stakeholders.
Previously, as communications manager at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Meyer Cancer Center, she shaped the center’s voice, led internal and external communications, and developed clinical trial assets to boost participation, especially in underserved communities.
Before that, as head of public affairs and communications for NYC Health Department’s 9/11 Registry, she engaged over 70,000 registrants and strengthened partnerships with institutions like the 9/11 Museum, Survivor’s Steering Committee, and Community Boards, ensuring survivors and first responders stayed informed and connected.
A seasoned strategist, Jacquelynn specializes in helping organizations distill the heart of their work into powerful, authentic narratives that deepen connections with their audiences. She has guided institutions in refining their messaging, elevating their public presence, and fostering meaningful relationships that extend beyond communication into true community-building.
Jacquelynn’s background extends to publishing, having held key editorial roles at John Wiley & Sons. She began her career as a journalist with Daily Nation (now Nation Africa) in Kenya, covering Nairobi’s news landscape and writing in-depth health and business features. In addition to her leadership in communications, she is a widely published writer, with work appearing in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Longreads, SELF, and other leading publications. She also founded a global women’s health website and app to support the exchange of shared health challenges and solutions.
A champion of creative writing, Jacquelynn founded the Nyanza Literary Festival contest in her hometown of Kisumu, a lakeside city in Kenya. She currently serves on the board of The Center for Fiction, New York.
She holds a degree in Information Science from the University of San Carlos, Cebu, Philippines, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from New York University.
