Jean-Rene Zetrenne ’88
Chief Talent Officer, Ogilvy and Mather
Jean-Rene Zetrenne ’88 is Senior Partner and Chief Talent Officer for North America at Ogilvy & Mather – a global marketing and ad agency with 18,000 employees located worldwide. As the head of human resources for North America, Jean-Rene is responsible for shaping the company’s human resource practices as it relates to recruitment, training and overall talent management. “In my role, I work with our North America leadership to create an environment and culture attracts and keeps the best qualified employees. Just like Waldorf, I am surrounded by creative people.”
Jean-Rene entered the Waldorf School in 5th grade, when his parents were looking for a school that offered a broad educational experience as well as a diverse student body and community open to other cultures. “There was a true sense of community here and an environment that embraced different perspectives and views without judgment,” says Jean-Rene. “My teachers at Waldorf instilled a sense of purpose as well as respect for our surroundings in a way I had never experienced elsewhere. I developed an awareness of the wonders around me and to focus on the details. I was challenged to put as much creativity into my academic lessons as I did for my art classes. This helped me later in life to take on challenges in the same way.”
After high school, Jean-Rene attended Boston University. “At first, the large student body was a bit overwhelming. But building relationships was instilled in me during my time at Waldorf and I found my place in this big university by getting involved with student activities and clubs. I excelled in my classes and in my junior year, I declared my major in communications.” After graduating, Jean-Rene worked for a few years before receiving his my master’s in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
In Jean-Rene’s work at Ogilvy & Mather, he is always searching for and developing talent who show curiosity and passion. “Waldorf’s focus on creativity and passion – and learning the different ways to think about the way work is done – this is all critical towards inspiring people in the workplace.. When we were growing up at Waldorf, continuity was important. This speaks to being committed and being dedicated to something for the long term. That kind of mentality is what we try to do with the workforce.”
Jean-Rene, his wife Tamiko and three children Jean Rene III (Jay), Alexis and Dominic live in Edgewater, New Jersey. A steadfast supporter of the Waldorf School of Garden City, Jean-Rene joined Waldorf’s Board of Trustees in 2015.
Jean-Rene Zetrenne '88
Symposium Panelist 2016Jean-Rene Zetrenne '88
Symposium Panelist 2016Chief Talent Officer, Ogilvy and Mather
Jean-Rene Zetrenne ’88 is Senior Partner and Chief Talent Officer for North America at Ogilvy & Mather – a global marketing and ad agency with 18,000 employees located worldwide. As the head of human resources for North America, Jean-Rene is responsible for shaping the company’s human resource practices as it relates to recruitment, training and overall talent management. “In my role, I work with our North America leadership to create an environment and culture attracts and keeps the best qualified employees. Just like Waldorf, I am surrounded by creative people.”
Jean-Rene entered the Waldorf School in 5th grade, when his parents were looking for a school that offered a broad educational experience as well as a diverse student body and community open to other cultures. “There was a true sense of community here and an environment that embraced different perspectives and views without judgment,” says Jean-Rene. “My teachers at Waldorf instilled a sense of purpose as well as respect for our surroundings in a way I had never experienced elsewhere. I developed an awareness of the wonders around me and to focus on the details. I was challenged to put as much creativity into my academic lessons as I did for my art classes. This helped me later in life to take on challenges in the same way.”
After high school, Jean-Rene attended Boston University. “At first, the large student body was a bit overwhelming. But building relationships was instilled in me during my time at Waldorf and I found my place in this big university by getting involved with student activities and clubs. I excelled in my classes and in my junior year, I declared my major in communications.” After graduating, Jean-Rene worked for a few years before receiving his my master’s in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
In Jean-Rene’s work at Ogilvy & Mather, he is always searching for and developing talent who show curiosity and passion. “Waldorf’s focus on creativity and passion – and learning the different ways to think about the way work is done – this is all critical towards inspiring people in the workplace.. When we were growing up at Waldorf, continuity was important. This speaks to being committed and being dedicated to something for the long term. That kind of mentality is what we try to do with the workforce.”
Jean-Rene, his wife Tamiko and three children Jean Rene III (Jay), Alexis and Dominic live in Edgewater, New Jersey. A steadfast supporter of the Waldorf School of Garden City, Jean-Rene joined Waldorf’s Board of Trustees in 2015.
