A Journalism graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Janisoriginally thought she would follow in the rich journalism tradition of many family members. She started her career at the Chicago Sun-Times, working as an assistant in their syndication group –-helping edit and distribute columns for the likes of Ann Landers, Sylvia Porter and Evans-Novak. She went on to edit a monthly business magazine, managed in-house corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company and worked for a national public affairs firm, whom she credits with giving her the experience and the confidence to start her own company.
Since founding MacKenzie Communications in 1983, Janis has spent more than four decades sharing her depth of experience, extensive community involvement and large professional network with clients ranging from countries, colleges and universities, multinational corporations, public agencies and major nonprofits. She also works with senior executives on expert positioning and career transitions and leads MacKenzie’s thought-leadership initiatives.
Deeply involved in the Bay Area business and philanthropic communities, Janis is the 2026 Board chair of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, supporting excellence in patient care and innovation at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. She is a former chair of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Francis Foundation, and the Five Buckets Foundation, focused on financial literacy programs for youth. She has applied her leadership and relationships as a member of the Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board, the British-American Business Council of Northern California, SPUR, SF Travel, United Way and the Fort Mason Foundation.
Janis was recently honored as one of the Bay Area’s “Inspiring Women” by the San Francsico Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette, a most Admired CEO by the San Francisco Business Times, and one of the Most Influential Women in Business for multiple years. With a long-standing commitment to “doing well by doing good” both personally and professionally, Janisbelieves that helping others succeed is the most satisfying aspect of her career.
A Journalism graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Janisoriginally thought she would follow in the rich journalism tradition of many family members. She started her career at the Chicago Sun-Times, working as an assistant in their syndication group –-helping edit and distribute columns for the likes of Ann Landers, Sylvia Porter and Evans-Novak. She went on to edit a monthly business magazine, managed in-house corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company and worked for a national public affairs firm, whom she credits with giving her the experience and the confidence to start her own company.
Since founding MacKenzie Communications in 1983, Janis has spent more than four decades sharing her depth of experience, extensive community involvement and large professional network with clients ranging from countries, colleges and universities, multinational corporations, public agencies and major nonprofits. She also works with senior executives on expert positioning and career transitions and leads MacKenzie’s thought-leadership initiatives.
Deeply involved in the Bay Area business and philanthropic communities, Janis is the 2026 Board chair of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, supporting excellence in patient care and innovation at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. She is a former chair of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Francis Foundation, and the Five Buckets Foundation, focused on financial literacy programs for youth. She has applied her leadership and relationships as a member of the Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board, the British-American Business Council of Northern California, SPUR, SF Travel, United Way and the Fort Mason Foundation.
Janis was recently honored as one of the Bay Area’s “Inspiring Women” by the San Francsico Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette, a most Admired CEO by the San Francisco Business Times, and one of the Most Influential Women in Business for multiple years. With a long-standing commitment to “doing well by doing good” both personally and professionally, Janisbelieves that helping others succeed is the most satisfying aspect of her career.
