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.
Click on each value, below, to learn more.
Collaborative Partnership
We're not just a ‘pair of hands.’ We work with you as your trusted partner; working alongside to co-create strategies that deliver lasting impact.
Transparent Dialogue
We believe in clear, candid communication—grounded in mutual respect; where feedback flows freely and constructively to build trust and enable meaningful change.
Integrity
We foster honest dialogue, especially around tough decisions, to ensure that every course of action is grounded in strong ethical principles. We prioritize thoughtful, customized solutions over cut/paste fixes, always acting in the best interest of our clients and their long-term 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.
Respect for 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 how organizations create value—through purposeful leadership, inclusive culture, and the courage to rethink what’s possible.
Our Purpose
We empower leaders and teams to grow capability, strengthen connection, and lead meaningful change—with courage and respect.
Our Process
We work as an extension of your team—part-time, high-impact, and deeply collaborative. Our process is structured yet flexible; moving through phases of insight, co-creation, and alignment. Every engagement is tailored to your people, purpose, and pace.
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.
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.