Board Member Spotlight: Jenny Zhang
Jenny Zhang is a Managing Director on the Private Alternatives Business Development team at AllianceBernstein, a global asset management firm. In her professional role, she heads investor relations for the firm’s private alternatives platform, which spans various illiquid strategies focused on private credit and private debt. Prior to moving to Nashville in 2019 to work for AB, Jenny ran investor relations and client service at a New York-based systematic asset management firm. She lives in Green Hills with her husband, young children, and golden retriever.
We sat down with Jenny to chat about her involvement with The Land Trust for Tennessee and why she chooses to dedicate her time to supporting the organization.
Interviewer: Hi Jenny! Take us back to the beginning of your work with The Land Trust for Tennessee. What got you interested in Tennessee conservation work?
Zhang: I moved to Nashville in 2019 with my husband after spending 10+ years in New York City. I went to high school in Memphis so have Tennessee roots, but never appreciated natural landscapes until I lived in a concrete jungle. The hustle and bustle of New York was exciting, but also stressful; over time, nature became my refuge and that’s how my passion for conservation was born. To keep land healthy, we have to be intentional about taking care of it.
Interviewer: That makes sense. How did you then become involved with The Land Trust?
Zhang: I became involved with the LTTN because I wanted to be a part of an organization that does just that. I work for a large asset management firm that moved its headquarters from NYC to Nashville, and I think it’s important for employees of the firm to give back to the community that welcomed us. The community engagement lead at the time put me in touch with Liz, we had a meeting at Glen Leven, and I was so inspired by her vision.
Interviewer: Tell us about a favorite memory or experience you’ve had with The Land Trust.
Zhang: I have loved seeing kids at [The Land Trust for Tennessee’s] Glen Leven Farm. When I first began serving on the Board, I volunteered during several Field Studies where students from kindergarten to second grade came to Glen Leven as a class and rotated through stations to learn about composting, trees, history, donkeys, etc. Too many kids are stuck behind screens nowadays and I strongly believe they deserve to run around in nature. Childhood is such a magical time, and it was great to be able to create a bit of that magic for these kids.
Interviewer: That’s so important. Going back to your feeling that it’s your responsibility to give back to the community, The Land Trust for Tennessee believes it’s important to conserve our state’s land to foster a “sense of place.” What does “sense of place” mean to you?
Zhang: A sense of place is more than just a place to live. It’s a home, a feeling of belonging, a need to defend and protect, an instinct to nurture. What comes to mind for me is a place where I want my children to grow up. I want them to feel safe, to breathe clean air, to be surrounded by trees, to be able to adventure, to have clean water to drink. That is why the work of The Land Trust is important. Don’t we all want that for ourselves, our family, our future generations?
Interviewer: Building off of that, why do you believe the work of The Land Trust is important?
Zhang: This work needs to be done, and to be done intentionally. We cannot afford for this work to be an afterthought, or to be done off of the side of someone’s desk, or to be at the whim of whoever is in office at the time. This work needs to be done by a team of highly professional specialists who are experienced and excellent at what they do. It needs to be done under the leadership of someone who has a vision. That’s exactly what The Land Trust team is, and that’s the kind of leader Liz is. This work will pay dividends and the more we can do now, the better it is for Tennessee.
Interviewer: How does supporting The Land Trust advance your philanthropic goals?
Zhang: Numerous members of my family have dedicated their careers to non-profits, and we feel strongly about giving back in whatever capacity, whether that means financially, with our time, or with your knowledge. The Land Trust enables me to contribute in all three ways. There are so many ways to help: hands-on volunteering, attending an event, spreading the word, being a sounding board for the team, making connections, and of course writing a check. Land conservation will pay dividends for future Tennesseans, and I am currently raising two of them. I want my children to come from a beautiful place that they are proud of inheriting.
Interviewer: What should others know if they are considering supporting The Land Trust?
Zhang: I would say three things: 1) Protecting land matters. Land fuels the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we grow. It is the home to endangered wildlife that are losing their habitat. It is key to addressing climate change which is affecting all of us. 2) Every little bit helps. It’s the large gifts, the small gifts, and everything in between. This organization is lean and well-run, and no gift is wasted. Every dollar makes a difference. 3) For landowners considering a conservation easement, your impact is permanent. Not a lot in this world is permanent, but a conservation easement is! Forever is a long time. What do you want to be remembered for?
The Land Trust for Tennessee is grateful for the dedicated volunteers who make our conservation work possible. See our current Board of Directors.