Founded in 1986 in San Francisco, The Henne Group is committed to making a positive impact through its work. The company leads market research for social impact and healthcare access. The industries it serves include not only healthcare, but also the life sciences, pharmaceutical, government, and universities. Founder and CEO Jeff Henne and his team are proud of The Henne Group’s long-time reputation for putting their customers’ needs at the forefront of their dedicated efforts.
GGBA: Please tell us more about The Henne Group.
Jeff Henne: The Henne Group is a research firm committed to amplifying voices that are often overlooked in decision-making. Our mission is rooted in the belief that anything is possible when guided by meaningful insights. We use research to inform policy, raise awareness, and create lasting, positive change in communities. Integrity, inclusivity, and innovation are the values that drive everything we do.
GGBA: Why did you decide to start The Henne Group?
Jeff Henne: My passion for meaningful research started before I established The Henne Group. Back in the 1980s, during the height of the AIDS crisis, I led focus groups of gay men with AIDS who were often marginalized and ignored. That experience showed me how traditional research missed the voices of diverse and hard-to-reach communities. I wanted to change that. Founding The Henne Group was my way of creating a company that could reach out to hear the voices of diverse and often unheard populations. Today, that commitment continues as we deliver research that informs policy, advances public health, and drives positive change in communities across the country.
GGBA: Who are some of your role models, and especially those who helped to influence your business?
Jeff Henne: There are so many; I think one of our responsibilities as small business owners is to pass on the knowledge that we have, and our experience, to the next generation. My first job out of graduate school was at the CBS News Election and Surveys unit in New York. I was still deeply in the closet. And my boss, a guy named Charlie, brought a bunch of us around, and introduced us to Murray Edelman, who was one of the top executives in the unit, and about ten years older than me. After we were introduced and Murray was out of earshot, Charlie told us, “Murray’s gay, but he’s OK.” That stung, and it has stayed with me for over 40 years. So, Murray was an early role model and still is—showing me that you could be out and proud, and still be successful, in the business world. It’s a lesson I’ll never forget.
Another was Linda Botts, who owned her San Francisco-based own market research company, The Research Alliance. The Research Alliance had many Bay Area companies as corporate clients, and she taught me you had to be tough to make it on your own, and that you had to always stand up for what is right, even if it hurts your bottom line.
My first boss in San Francisco, Judith Brown Meyers, owned a small research company called Research and Decisions. I watched as she made difficult decisions to keep her business afloat and learned that sometimes you just need to step away from something and reinvent yourself—which she did over and over again and is still doing.
Finally, there was Chuck Rund, whom I worked with for just a short time. Chuck mostly did Republican-based political polling, so we were on the opposite side of the political spectrum. But he was very successful, and when my time with him was up (I was working on a six-month contract), he gave me a bonus of $1,000, which was a lot of money for me at the time. From him, I learned the importance of kindness. So, to sum it up, be yourself, stand up for your principles and what’s right, be prepared to pivot, if necessary, but, in all cases, do your best to be kind.
GGBA: Why did you decide to join the GGBA?
Jeff Henne: As an LGBTQ+-owned business, I believe it’s important to support our community and our business owners.
GGBA: How has being a member of GGBA helped your business so far?
Jeff Henne: I appreciate the fact that we have a local chapter to advocate for the needs of our community and promote our collective commitment to doing business with integrity and delivering excellent service.
GGBA: Do you go to the GGBA monthly Make Contact Networking events? Have they benefited you and your business, and would you recommend them to others?
Jeff Henne: Unfortunately, my busy travel schedule often makes it challenging for me to attend events personally, but I do appreciate the opportunities for networking and education that GGBA offers.
GGBA: What other advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
Jeff Henne: Start with a clear purpose. For me, it wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about solving a real problem I cared deeply about. Back in the 1980s, I saw how traditional research ignored marginalized voices during the AIDS crisis, and that drove me to create something better. So, my advice is: Find the gap you’re passionate about, commit to integrity and innovation, and be ready to adapt. Building a business takes resilience, but if your mission truly matters, it will keep you moving forward.
GGBA: Is there anything else that you would like to share?
Jeff Henne: Please understand that The Henne Group isn’t just based in San Francisco; we were born from its history. We reflect our community through our research efforts to connect with hard-to-reach groups, including LGBTQ+ communities, ethnic minorities, and people living with HIV. Three years ago, we moved our offices to the historic Russ Building, a beautiful LEED-certified space that supports our commitment to sustainability and it provides a healthy environment for our team. This new location on Montgomery Street also gave us the opportunity to be HUBZone certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration that recognizes our commitment to stimulating growth in economically disadvantaged areas. We welcome anyone interested in learning more about our work or partnering with us—whether on a project based in San Francisco or beyond—to visit us online (https://www.thehennegroup.com/), contact us via email (info@thehennegroup.com), or call us at 415-348-1700.
GGBA Member Spotlight
Published on November 20, 2025
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