Jacqueline is founder of the highly successful boutique consultancy, The Understanding & Insight Group LLC, a business development and products research technology firm with long term practices in the area of design thinking which transforms businesses profit trajectories through human connectivity.  

Beckley graduated with a double BS from UC Davis in both Food Science and also Dietetics and Nutrition.  She has an MBA from Dominican University and has a range of work experiences from a food researcher at Amoco (now BP) Chemicals in their torula yeast innovation – food not reliant on the current agricultural cycle to The Quaker Oats Company (now PepsiCo), Peryam & Kroll Research Corp and as a Director for Nabisco (now Mondelez), prior to the creation of her own company.  In creating The U&I Group, Jackie realized her innate destiny – to create a company that listens deeply to the voice of people to assist in both front end and back end innovations. 

Besides the FST leadership board, Beckley makes time for the UC Davis College of Ag & Enviromental Sciences, Dean’s Advisory Board (DAC), the Women & Philanthropy Board at UCD (WoPac), and has been a Trustee for the UC Davis Foundation.  She loves the Manetti Shrem Museum and how it has brought more art to the campus.

In 2026, Jacqueline received the UC Davis Alumni Award.  This award shares a spot with one of Jackie’s most cherished awards, the Award of Distinction from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences presented in 2015.

In Academic year 2026 - 2027, Jacqueline and her husband worked with the department and the college to create the Beckley/Herzog Endowed Chair for Enduring Advancement in the Science of Food.  Jackie feels that this is helping her realize a full circle opportunity for food sustainability, security, and quality in a changing world.