Jennifer Taylor, '98

Jennifer Taylor is President & CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the nation’s largest and most influential technology trade association, representing more than 500 member organizations across Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region. She is a regionally recognized technology, innovation, and nonprofit executive with more than 35 years of experience leading complex organizations, high-performing teams, and influential public–private partnerships.

Since assuming leadership of NVTC in 2020, Taylor has led a comprehensive turnaround and modernization of the organization, strengthening governance, rebuilding operations, restoring financial health, and significantly expanding its relevance and impact. Under her leadership, NVTC increased operating revenue by more than 35 percent, grew membership by over 80 percent during the global pandemic, expanded engagement to more than 7,500 professionals annually, and reversed a seven-year deficit trend to deliver consistent operating surpluses and clean audits across affiliated entities.

A trusted convener and advocate, Taylor works at the intersection of industry, government, academia, and the workforce ecosystem to advance the innovation economy of Virginia and the broader Washington, D.C. region. She is a leading voice on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data centers, workforce development, and innovation competitiveness, and maintains strong relationships with state and federal policymakers. Her advocacy leadership has helped protect Virginia businesses and workers, including playing a central role in halting a proposed $1 billion digital goods tax.

Prior to NVTC, Taylor served as VP of Industry Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), where she launched and scaled Future of Work initiatives to address the nation’s critical skills gap, engaged more than 1,000 member companies annually, and supported workforce and apprenticeship efforts showcased at CES. Her earlier career includes senior leadership roles at AARP, the American Red Cross, and technology startups, with deep expertise in revenue growth, brand strategy, partnerships, and market innovation.

Taylor holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from George Mason University.

She serves and has served on several boards and advisory bodies, including the George Mason University Board of Visitors, the Commonwealth of Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) Blockchain Advisory Committee, the CodeVA Board of Directors (Treasurer), and the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), where she previously served as Vice Chair.

Taylor has been widely recognized for her leadership and impact. Her honors include being named to the Virginia Power 500 by Virginia Business; recognition as a DC Tech Titan by Washingtonian Magazine; inclusion among the 50 Most Influential People in Northern Virginia by Northern Virginia Magazine; and recognition by Virginia Business as a Woman in Technology. She is also a recipient of the George Mason University Distinguished Alumni Award and began her career as a CBS News Fellow, working on CBS Weekend News and CBS Sunday Morning in New York City.