About Us

We’re people who make people more effective. 

Clever Tern® partners with large domestic and multinational organizations to build high-performing teams through people-centric learning, work, and change strategies. Founded in 2004 and inspired by the Arctic Tern—a symbol of long journeys and resilience—we thrive on guiding leaders and teams to sustainable success.

 

Our Core Values

Clever Tern partners with leaders and teams to navigate the complexities of organizational change and growth. Our values define the way we work—empowering us to drive meaningful, sustainable results with integrity and insight.

Scroll through our values, below, to learn more. 

 

Collaborative Partnerships

We are not just a ‘pair of hands.’ We are a trusted partner who works alongside you to co-create strategies that deliver lasting impact.

Honesty, Candor, and Integrity

We believe that transparency and honest feedback are essential for meaningful transformation. After in-depth analysis, we provide candid, actionable recommendations that align with your organizational goals.

Emotional & Cultural Intelligence

Understanding the nuances of your people and culture is at the heart of our work. We approach each project with empathy and respect; always striving for solutions that resonate deeply with your people.

Open Communication

Honest, objective dialogue drives real change. We ask tough questions, listen carefully, and ensure that all perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making.

Respect in Diversity & Inclusion

We believe in the intrinsic worth and dignity of every person. Inclusion isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a core principle that shapes the strategies we design; ensuring that they work for the collective good of all.

Our Vision

To transform workplaces around the globe into high-functioning, inclusive, and collaborative environments where people want to work.

Our Purpose

To connect leaders and teams to their possibilities, through strategy, innovation, and human insight.

We rethink “business as usual” to empower your organization and its people to be the best they can be.

Our Process

We partner with clients to rapidly deliver tailored solutions, through a structured yet flexible process of discovery, design, and dialogue. This collaborative approach ensures that strategies align with your unique people, goals, and culture.

Our People

At Clever Tern, we pride ourselves on our deep expertise and on the relationships that we build with our clients. While the majority of our work is led by Heather L. Jencks, Founder and President, we also have a curated network of highly skilled consultants who work with us on larger-scale projects. These professionals are carefully vetted to ensure that they align with our values and approach; bringing additional expertise and support, when needed to deliver outstanding results.

Heather L. Jencks

Founder, President

Strategic Advisor in Organization Effectiveness, Change, & Learning

With 20 years of organization consulting experience, Heather specializes in workplace learning, organizational change, and team effectiveness. Her breadth and depth of experience allow her to deliver thoughtful, innovative talent strategies that drive performance and lasting change.

Learn More about Heather

Our Story

Strategic Consulting, Redefined

For over two decades, Clever Tern® (formerly known as Strategic Ascent, Inc./SAI) has partnered with leading organizations to deliver strategic change that goes the distance. Founded in 2004 by Heather Jencks, the company was born from a simple idea: corporations, especially those with lean HR teams, deserve consulting services that prioritize results over overhead.

From its earliest days, Clever Tern stood apart. Our approach eliminates cookie-cutter templates, focusing instead on custom, high-impact solutions delivered by seasoned consultants. Whether it’s reshaping team culture, implementing business process changes, or leading enterprise-wide transformations, we’ve consistently earned the trust of Fortune 500 clients by delivering measurable results.

This success didn’t prompt us to rest on our laurels. Instead, it fueled our commitment to sharpen the core strengths that distinguish us from traditional consultants—holistic strategic thinking with the courage to ‘do the right thing.’ This renewed focus also inspired a new identity leading to the rebranding of SAI as Clever Tern.

 

 

 

Clever Tern—What’s in a name?

Ours Speaks to Our Primary Purpose and Ethos

Our name embodies our purpose. Clever Tern is more than a reference to the Arctic Tern—a remarkable bird known for its record-breaking migrations. It’s also a play on the phrase “clever turn,” symbolizing the strategic pivots and transformations through which we guide organizations.
Just as the Arctic Tern navigates long, complex journeys with precision and resilience, Clever Tern helps leaders and teams steer through critical challenges and change. Our work is designed to deliver thoughtful, sustainable strategies that lift organizations toward lasting success.

Fun Fact: Terns, particularly the Arctic Tern, are long-distance migrators. According to the National Geographic, “Arctic terns hold the record for the longest migration of any animal in the world, annually making the journey from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle.” This long-lived bird is a perfect representative for our company. It is sturdy, smart, and goes the distance; just like the strategies we hope to deliver.