Jay Jacobs has more than 30 years of leadership experience as an executive and board member across family businesses, nonprofits, and educational organizations. Since 2011, Jacobs has held a range of executive and board roles at Basic American Foods, a third-generation family business, including serving as board chair. Jacobs initially served in executive roles, leading international business and human resources, before transitioning full-time to the board in 2022. Beyond his work with Basic American Foods, Jacobs is an experienced advisor to individual business leaders, multigenerational family enterprises, and boards. His work focuses on coaching, strategic advising, and leadership development, with a particular emphasis on navigating complex transitions, strengthening governance, and aligning leadership for long-term success. Earlier in his career, Jacobs was the founding executive director of the Boston site of Summer Search and later served as the organization’s national CEO.