J&M STRATEGIC CONSULTING
Leadership
Meet the Leadership Team
At J&M Strategic Consulting, leadership is more than experience—it's about building trusted partnerships and helping organizations create meaningful, lasting change.
As Co-Founders, we bring together complementary backgrounds in executive leadership, strategic consulting, and program management. Together, we partner with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to navigate complex challenges, strengthen collaboration, and transform strategy into measurable results.
Our shared commitment to practical solutions, collaborative leadership, and measurable outcomes is at the heart of every client engagement.
Jake Herrera, Co-Founder
Jake Herrera is a strategic consultant and program leadership executive with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex initiatives, strengthen operations, and deliver measurable results. Throughout his career, he has partnered with public sector agencies, healthcare organizations, and private industry to successfully lead enterprise programs, improve organizational performance, and guide transformational change.
Jake's expertise spans strategic planning, program and portfolio management, governance development, business process improvement, and organizational transformation. He is recognized for building trusted relationships with executive leaders and stakeholders, bringing diverse teams together, and translating complex challenges into practical, actionable solutions. His experience leading multi-million-dollar initiatives has reinforced the importance of balancing strategic vision with disciplined execution to achieve sustainable outcomes.
As Co-Founder of J&M Strategic Consulting, Jake helps organizations turn strategy into action by strengthening collaboration, improving accountability, and delivering solutions that create lasting value. His client-centered approach focuses on understanding each organization's unique goals while developing practical strategies that are achievable, measurable, and sustainable.
Jake believes successful organizations are built through strong partnerships, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He is passionate about helping clients navigate change, strengthen organizational performance, and deliver meaningful results that have a lasting impact.
Marquilla Chedester, Co-Founder
Marquilla Chedester is a strategic leader with extensive experience guiding organizations through complex change, organizational transformation, and operational excellence. As a former State Director, she understands the challenges leaders face when balancing strategic priorities with the realities of day-to-day operations.
Throughout her career, Marquilla has led enterprise-wide initiatives, established Project Management Offices (PMOs), developed governance frameworks, and guided strategic planning efforts across multiple program areas. Her experience spans public service, healthcare, and human services, where she has partnered with executive leaders, diverse stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to strengthen organizational performance and improve outcomes.
Recognizing that successful transformation requires more than a well-written strategy, Marquilla co-founded J&M Strategic Consulting to help organizations bridge the gap between planning and implementation. She believes meaningful change is achieved through collaboration, practical leadership, and solutions that are tailored to each organization's unique environment.
Marquilla's leadership philosophy has also been shaped by her service in the United States Air Force, where she developed a deep commitment to integrity, accountability, and mission-focused leadership. Those values continue to guide her approach to serving clients and building trusted partnerships.
Today, Marquilla partners with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to develop strategic direction, strengthen leadership, foster collaboration, and create sustainable solutions that deliver lasting impact.
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Stronger Together
J&M Strategic Consulting was founded on more than a shared vision—it was built on a professional partnership that has grown through more than a decade of working together to solve complex organizational challenges. Over the years, Marquilla and Jake have collaborated on strategic initiatives, organizational transformation efforts, and enterprise programs, building a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose.
Their complementary experience enables J&M to provide both executive-level strategic guidance and disciplined program execution. Together, they help public, private, and nonprofit organizations navigate complexity, strengthen collaboration, and turn strategy into measurable, lasting results.
United by a shared commitment to integrity, collaboration, and practical solutions, Marquilla and Jake believe that meaningful change happens when organizations have trusted partners who not only develop the strategy but also help bring it to life.