Rev. Zina Jacque, Ph.D., is the Assistant to the Pastor for Small Groups at the Historic Alfred Street Baptist Church. Her primary responsibility is facilitating the learning and growth generated among the 1,000+ participants in the Villages of Alfred Street. Dr. Jacque entered this position after leading the Community Church of Barrington in Illinois for fifteen years.

Jacque has served on multicultural, urban, and suburban church staffs and has done extensive work in education, counseling, and support programs.

She has worked in the not-for-profit realm, founding and serving as the first Executive Director of the innovative Pastoral Counseling Center of Trinity Church Boston and the first Executive Director of the Boston Ten Point Coalition.

She serves as the President and Chair of the board of National Senior Communities, the largest portfolio of not-for-profit continuing-care retirement communities, serving over 28,000 residents and employing over 17,000 staff colleagues.

Additionally, she serves as one of three founders and a host for A Year of Courageous Conversations (www.courageousconversations.us). This pivotal project has engaged over 2,000 community members and beyond. Through this dialogue series, participants consider how we, as individuals and communities, might foster greater inclusion and belonging in our communities.

Before entering ministry Rev., Jacque completed a 20+ year career in higher education serving in senior positions at Northwestern, the University of Chicago, Mills College (Oakland, CA), and the University of California (Santa Cruz and the Office of the President)

Jacque holds a Ph.D. in Theology (Practical Theology) and a Master of Divinity degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Boston University, an M.A. from Columbia University, and a B.A. from Northwestern University. She has served as an adjunct professor of Pastoral Care at Boston University and the University of Chicago.

Among other honors, Jacque is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Boston University School of Theology, the 2022 Citizen of the Year, Barrington, Illinois, and the Women of Distinction Award from the Barrington Chamber of Commerce. Jacque is described as an agent of change, a voice of hope, and a person of faith.

Note: Biographical information was updated as of the latest contribution. Author profiles may not reflect author's current employment or location.