Jen Kaufmann is Chief of Staff at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, where she works hand in hand with the founder and CEO to maintain clear business priorities, execute deliverables and steward company alignment to the every-growing organization.
She sits at the center of the company’s leadership team and serves as a close advisor and thought partner to the CEO. Jen helps connect strategy to what’s actually happening across the business, ensuring priorities translate into action. Her role spans shaping leadership rhythms, supporting enterprise planning and stepping into complex, cross-functional works that need clarity and forward momentum. She also supports key executive communications as well as select personal priorities as an extension of the CEO’s office.
Prior to her time at Cooper’s Hawk, Jen held leadership roles at Lorient, LLC and Shawmut Design and Construction, where she focused on development and execution. Over the course of her career, she has supported restaurant builds in 22 states, leading large-scale projects and navigating the realities of rapid expansion. In 2020, she transitioned into her current role by leveraging that foundation in project management, operations, and cross-functional leadership. That experience continues to shape how she operates today – practical, grounded and focused on making things actually work.
In addition to her work at Cooper’s Hawk, Jen is active in the broader leadership community. She serves as a Regional Leader for Chief of Staff Network, is a member of Ask A Chief Of Staff and is involved with Women’s Foodservice Forum. She also mentors emerging leaders through Women in Restaurant Leadership.
Jen studied liberal arts at the University of Iowa and later earned her degree in Business Management. A former actor, you can catch Jen cheering on her hometown Chicago Bears or catching a show on the weekends.
