Jennifer Balcazar, the second oldest of four siblings, hails from New York City and has a strong connection to Colombian-American traditions. She is passionate about community involvement and was recognized for her dedication in 2019 when she received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Her volunteer work earned her this prestigious award while she was serving at the Okinawa American Red Cross at MCB Butler & Kadena Air Base in Japan. As the Operations Manager at NLBH, Jennifer plays a crucial role overseeing the financial management, staffing & Human resources, health policy compliance , quality assurance & improvement. Ms. Balcazar’s career includes significant military service and healthcare administration roles. She served active duty as a military medic in the United States Air Force from 2012 to 2016 & continues to hold her EMT national certification. After her military service, Jennifer Balcazar transitioned into healthcare administration. In 2018, she secured a contracting job at the U.S.A.F. Kadena Medical Center in Okinawa, Japan. During her time at the medical center, she held the position of Ground Safety Manager, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of personnel and patients in a healthcare setting & facilitated the Accreditation of The Joint Commission at Kadena. Jennifer Balcazar’s impressive educational background, including her MBA, healthcare-related degrees, and Lean Six Sigma certification, positions her as a highly qualified and capable professional in healthcare administration and other fields. Her numerous accolades and honors reflect her dedication to excellence and her commitment to making a positive impact in her career. Ms. Balcazar earned her MBA from Western Governors University with honors. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Policy & Administration with Magna Cum Laude Latin Honors from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). At USM, she received the Hall of Fame award, the Who’s Who award, the Student Government Association Excellence award as the Secretary, Kennard Scholar, and is a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Scholar.  She has an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Practicum Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and has her Associate of Arts majoring in Business from Wake Technical Community College. In the healthcare industry, she is also a member of the Communication & Marketing Committee, of the ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives) THEF (Triangle Healthcare Executives’ Forum) North Carolina chapter where she is dedicated to promoting and enhancing communication within the healthcare executive community. She holds the position of Vice-Chair for the Membership Committee within the Association for Healthcare Administration Professionals. This role oversees membership-related activities and initiatives, ensuring the growth and engagement of the association’s members. Lastly, in her community involvement, she takes on the role of Marketing & Social Media Chair for the Raleigh Dragonboat Club. She manages the club’s marketing efforts and social media presence to engage members and promote the club’s activities. Overall, Jennifer Balcazar’s diverse background and active involvement in her community, military service, and healthcare administration showcase her dedication and commitment to making a positive impact in various aspects of her life.