Passionate about conveying women’s stories, Jenna Segal brings these projects to life as an Emmy, Tony and Clio-award winning producer, with theatrical credits that include Broadway shows Hadestown, Suffs and Six. Ms. Segal is also CEO and founder of Gatherer Enterprises, a private investment and production company that advances female-focused storytelling and achievement in entertainment and sports.
Deeply committed to the causes she champions, Ms. Segal has served on Weill Cornell Medicine’s Board of Fellows since May 2024 and also volunteers her time and talents as a member of the Dean’s Council and Women’s Health Council. Philanthropy is a vital part of her life and her service to Weill Cornell Medicine reflects both her gratitude for the exceptional care her family has received and her dedication to advancing the organization’s goals.
Ms. Segal recently sat down with Lucille M. Ferraro, Weill Cornell Medicine’s assistant vice provost for development, to discuss her thoughts around philanthropy and her inspiration for giving to others.
Lucille Ferraro: Thank you for your extraordinary dedication to Weill Cornell Medicine. How did you first become involved with us?
Jenna Segal: My family came in with a clinical issue, and through the process, we met Dr. Francis Lee, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, with whom our whole family started a relationship. Dr. Lee took a genuine interest in my son, welcoming his curiosity and inviting him to ask questions about topics that fascinated him, including how artificial intelligence is being applied in medicine. What stood out most was the extraordinary level of attention and personal investment he offered, engaging my son in thoughtful conversations about science, innovation, and possibility. The care, mentorship, and dedication he extended went far beyond what we ever expected, forging a deep and lasting bond between our family and Weill Cornell Medicine.
We then became incredibly inspired by the work that Dr. Lee was doing, particularly when he and his team were creating Maya, a mobile app-based, therapeutic program designed to support the mental health of young adults. Seeing firsthand the vision and commitment behind that work, we were proud to help fund the program’s creation.
LF: You’ve been so generous with your time in support of Weill Cornell Medicine. Please share what your service to the institution has meant to you?
JS: Since becoming involved with Weill Cornell Medicine, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Fellows and to host gatherings on behalf of the institution – introducing others to this extraordinary community of supporters and to the premier research and clinical excellence that define it. I especially value my work with the Board’s International Affairs Committee, which feels like a natural extension of my degree from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. That perspective has deepened my appreciation for how thoughtfully Weill Cornell Medicine approaches patient care in a multicultural, international environment — and how essential that understanding is to deliver truly effective care.
LF: How do you think about your nonprofit involvement and the role that altruism and generosity play in your own philosophy toward Weill Cornell Medicine?
JS: Well, the idea of Tikkun Olam was something that was ingrained in me from a very early age: “Leave the world in better shape than where you found it and help your neighbors.” I feel a strong responsibility to my community. With giving, there becomes a certain point where you look for the places that really can do the best work with the resources that you’re providing. So, my ability to create an impact is by finding the people that I trust the most and feel good about. And in terms of philanthropy, you hear a lot about time, talent, and treasure. I consider that greatly when I decide what to give my time to. Here, I know that my gifts are going to an organization that will steward them well.
And in a world filled with uncertainty and growing stress, the work we’ve done with Dr. Lee feels even more urgent to me. His vision for expanding access to thoughtful, scalable mental health support reflects exactly why I place my trust in Weill Cornell Medicine – because the need is great, and through leaders like him, we can extend care in ways that truly meet this moment.
LF: What inspires you to give?
JS: I believe it’s always important to share what you have with others, whether you have very little or have been truly fortunate in life. And when it comes to health care, it’s rewarding to pay your care forward. Paying that gratitude forward – in whatever way you’re able – has a way of making both you and someone else feel a little better.
LF: You maintain a strong commitment to women and their empowerment, and your support of women in leadership roles is inspiring, as is your commitment to women’s health. In what ways do you hope Weill Cornell Medicine will transform health care for women?
JS: At the new Midtown Clinical Care Center under construction at 575 Lexington Avenue, we have a really good opportunity to welcome more patients to benefit from the stellar care that we provide here. Once the hub for women’s health opens at 575 Lexington Avenue, it’s going to feel pretty incredible to have a place where people are concerned about the full spectrum of women’s health. It positions us to lead the way in defining and delivering the very best care for women. That’s deeply inspiring and profoundly important to us – and it matters just as much to men, who care about the health and well-being of their mothers, daughters, sisters and wives.
LF: When you think of Weill Cornell Medicine what are some positives that you’ve experienced, whether as a receiver of care for yourself or your family, or as a volunteer?
JS: Through my connection to Weill Cornell, I’ve learned so much about myself and my family and our health. The doctors who work here actually care – I haven’t encountered a dismissive doctor yet. They listen and they genuinely hear me. For those of us who have the good fortune to receive care here, you become part of a community of professionals who support not just the patient, but actually the entire family. Being involved with Weill Cornell Medicine has been a remarkable journey, and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of this.
