In Loving Memory
1931•2026
John Hancock “Jack” Zenger
November 13, 1931 - July 3, 2026
John Hancock “Jack” Zenger — beloved husband, father, grandfather, and world-renowned leadership expert — passed away on July 3, 2026 at the age of 94 from complications brought on by a rare autoimmune disorder. He was born on November 13, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah to John Henry Zenger and Leah Ruth Hancock.
Jack built a life defined by curiosity, service, hard work, and a great love for his church and his family. He was constantly thinking about new ways to build people and streamline processes, and during his 60+ year career, he became one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership development. Jack never retired, and in his final days he was still mapping out the next ten years of his business and talking about ideas like artificial intelligence, the state of the world, and the next books he wanted to write.
As a young boy, Jack became intrigued with magic after watching a “ball and vase” trick performed by a fellow student. This led to many trips to the library with his father to look up everything he could read about magic. After many hours of practice, he became proficient, and was able to make much of his spending money during high school and college by performing for local events. He did magic shows throughout his entire life–during his mission, for BYU events, and for many church and family gatherings, including one performance at the world-famous Magic Castle venue in Los Angeles. As recently as a year ago, he was still performing magic shows for grandchildren.
Jack was a hard working student and he believed in the value of a good education. Jack distinguished himself in his own educational pursuits, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from BYU, an MBA from UCLA, and a doctorate in business administration from USC. At BYU he was elected Associated Men’s Student (AMS) President, and was chosen to debate two visiting Oxford scholars in front of the entire BYU student body during his senior year. During his graduate schooling, he received numerous awards and scholarships. In 1963, while at USC, he was chosen to travel through Europe with fellow graduate students from five US universities to meet with business leaders around the world.
Jack was fascinated with leadership, and he remembered being puzzled by the decision of a nurse at his father’s hospital who chose to decline a leadership opportunity. He personally felt he was better at leading than following, and his professional life reflected this. Following his doctorate, he taught for a year at USC, and then began consulting in the field of management development and training in the Los Angeles area. In 1966, he moved with his family to Palo Alto, California to be the Vice President of Human Resources at Syntex Corporation, while also teaching courses at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. From 1977-91, he was Co-Founder, President and CEO of Zenger-Miller, a firm the Wall Street Journal named one of the ten best suppliers of executive development in the country. After Zenger-Miller was purchased by Times Mirror Corporation in 1988, he served as a Group Vice President for Times Mirror, and then as President of Provant, a publicly traded combination of some twenty-one training companies. In 2003, after what he cheerfully described as an unsuccessful attempt at retirement, Jack co-founded Zenger Folkman with Joe Folkman, building a firm that used a vast database of 360 degree feedback assessments to better understand what makes leaders extraordinary.
Jack loved writing and thinking. He enjoyed pondering how to take research he discovered and present it in a way that would be useful and interesting to others. This led him to author over a dozen books, including the bestselling The Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers into Great Leaders, The Extraordinary Coach, The Inspiring Leader, How to Be Exceptional, Speed, and Results-Based Leadership, which was named Best Business Book of 2000 by the Society for Human Resource Development.. He wrote hundreds of articles for various outlets, including the Harvard Business Review, and for many years was a columnist for Forbes. His research, writings, and leadership development tools continue to shape leadership practice in organizations worldwide.
Jack’s work in leadership made an important contribution to his field, and his professional colleagues honored him in nearly every way they could. In 1994, he was inducted into the Human Resources Development Hall of Fame. In 2005, he received a “Thought Leader” award from the International Society for Performance Improvement and Workplace Learning (ISA-ALP),and was listed as one of the top 100 minds on Leadership for that year. Nine years later, in 2014, the ISA-ALP broke tradition and chose to give him a second “Thought Leader” award for his further contributions to the field with colleague, Joe Folkman. Jack Zenger received numerous other high-level honors throughout his career, including being named the “Top Leader of the Year” by HR.com in 2014, and receiving The American Society for Training and Development’s Lifetime Achievement in Workplace Learning and Performance Award in 2011.
Jack also believed in giving back to his community, and he was given many opportunities in this arena, somehow often ending up being in charge. While living in Palo Alto, he was campaign manager for a slate of candidates running for office in the city who were all voted in. He served on the Human Rights Commission in Palo Alto from 1967-73, proposing legal methods for curbing racial discrimination by landlords. He served as the president of the Stanford Area Council for the Boys Scouts of America, receiving the Distinguished Citizen of the Year award in 1986. He was President of the BYU Alumni Association during 1977-78, which eventually led him to meet his wife, Holly in a fortuitous encounter in Salt Lake City. After moving to Utah, Jack was on the Board of Trustees at Utah Valley State College, and then on the Board of Regents for the State of Utah, where he served for 10 years and was involved in selecting multiple new university presidents. He was the Boosters President and a member of the Swiss Days committee in Midway, Utah, and in 2002, he helped with the Olympics by hosting 24 FBI agents in the family home, where these agents shared fascinating stories and demonstrations of their gear and “toys.” Jack was also deeply committed to supporting Holly’s passion for collecting and sharing nativity scenes (creches) with the community, and each Christmas season, Jack supported Holly in her efforts to invite the community to enjoy the spirit of their remarkable creche collection in their home and in other venues. In 2006, both Jack and Holly received honorary doctoral degrees from Utah Valley University, to honor their “significant philanthropic contributions and their deep commitment to leadership and community service in the state of Utah.”
Jack loved being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to the North Central States from 1951-1953, during which time he was part of a group of missionaries called the “Mormonaires” who traveled through the mission giving performances in many local venues and meetinghouses. Jack’s role in the group was performing magic and acting as Master of Ceremonies. While in college, Jack served as the Stake Young Men’s president, and in his 20s, he was a counselor in several bishoprics. He later served on the High Council, as a Bishop, and as a member of the stake presidency in Los Altos California. He loved these callings, but his favorite calling was teaching Gospel Doctrine, which he did for at least 35 years. When Jack was called as a new bishop, he wrote a note to his new ward about his belief that the gospel should be “fun, exciting…and exhilarating,… spreading like a brush fire in a high wind.”
Jack was a hard worker. He considered work fun, and he never had any desire to retire. He made it a study to eat well and stay fit, and he exercised every day while multi-tasking by reading and watching the national news. To maximize efficiency, he would shave using two razors at a time. One of his favorite forms of fun was playing word games with Holly on the couch every night, and reaching Genius level on the NY Times spelling bee game every morning. At his passing, his desk was covered with ideas for future blog posts/ books and lists of Spelling Bee words.
In spite of Jack’s work ethic, he was also a man who loved fun, and his sense of humor was legendary. He and Holly loved laughing together, and they managed to walk the fine line of laughing at themselves and each other without ever hurting each other. Their good humor was a magnetic force drawing family and friends to their sides. Jack was always ready for adventure, and many grandchildren remember him hanging upside down on ziplines, being towed by tubes behind speedboats and sliding down a terrifying waterslide well into his 80s. Jack also even tried his hand at sculpting a very lumpy mole, and earlier a frog, which was stolen from his company’s art show. He jokingly considered this theft to be one of the greatest honors of his life. Jack spoke often of how proud he was of his large family of 10 children, 37 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, and he felt incredibly blessed that they were all “doing good things with their lives.” He enjoyed spending time with them, and was always interested in what they were doing.
Jack had six Zenger children with Dixie Jenee Robison, his first wife, and then he was delighted to welcome another four Malmrose children into the family when he married Holly Olsen Malmrose in 1979. The circumstances of his meeting Holly following his divorce were the stuff of legend, as the hand of God was absolutely apparent in them getting together. Jack spoke often of the light, life and joy Holly brought into his life, and In some final conversations he especially emphasized his gratitude for Holly’s sense of humor and her good judgment.
Jack is survived by his wife, Holly Olsen Malmrose; his living children Robin Zenger Baker, Roger Malmrose (Judy), Todd Zenger (Shawn), Kirk Malmrose (Audrey), Blake Zenger (Diane), Lori Malmrose Carmack, Mitch Zenger (Kelly), Drew Zenger (Sondra), Mike Malmrose (Lindsey), and predeceased by his son Mark Zenger (Jennifer, still living) and son-in-law Rich Baker.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 10 at 1 pm MT in the LDS Chapel at 165 N. Center Street, Midway UT 84049.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the John H. and Holly Zenger Endowed Scholarship at Utah Valley University: https://engage.uvu.edu/zengerscholarship
For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the "Watch Services" link above.
Wow ! Jack Zenger was a legend. We had the good fortune of moving to Midway about 25 years ago. He and Holly had wonderful “empty nester” firesides where he brought in the best speakers and shared his magic talents! Always so welcoming and good natured. He will be so missed by everyone. Bon voyage Jack. There will be a large welcoming committee waiting to greet U ! Thanks for being a great example of goodness! Ur my choice for President of the USA!!!! ❤️Nancy Jones
Jack has been one of my personal heroes ever since he joined our family when I was a teenager. Modest, Intelligent, wise, respectful, generous and comfortable to be around are the qualities I treasured in him.
Jack’s sense of humor made my days at Zenger Miller fun. At one of our conferences, he entered on a skateboard to introduce our theme of the movie, 🍿 Back to the Future.
He also allowed me to push him on a situation in which I disagreed with how he handled a relationship. He later said to the whole company that he welcomed feedback with no retribution. He said, “Just ask Betsy”
What I learned about leadership in that organization shapes the work I do as a Leadership Coach today.
I send condolences to his family.
Thank you, Jack.
We will miss you cousin Jack. You were one of the good ones.
He was a giant supporter of our community. With all of his accolades and accomplishments, he was always humble and kind and generous. Spending time with Jack and Holly was always joyful and fun!
A brilliant and Kind man who generously let our family stay in his beautiful home after the Eclipse of 2018. WE also loved our weekend together in the Berkshires after Scotts wedding... enjoying the beauty and amazing venues of Western Mass with the Baker-Zengers. Thanks for all the memories, Jack and Holly, especially because they included getting some precious time with my beloved brother, Rich. Rest in peace, Jack Zenger and enjoy your time as a busy angel... and please say hi to Rich for all of us... especially for Robin!
Jack was a kind and generous mentor to me from the moment I met him. He recruited me to work for his company before I had even finished my PhD. It wasn’t the best fit for me so the job didn’t last but our friendship did. He was kind enough to speak to my students many years in a row when I taught Doctoral level courses and take the time to discuss leadership, coaching, religion, and life with me always seeming to value my opinions. What a great man he was. They don’t make many in this mold. My favorite thing about my time with Zenger-Folkman was hearing Jack’s deep laugh across the building. It happened often and always made me smile. I’m sure he will be teaching classes in heaven. Thank you Jack for caring about me and so many others. I hope you take a little rest break up there before you fixing things where you are:)
Although we never had the privilege of meeting Jack in person, we were honoured to have been introduced to him virtually. His humility, wisdom, and passion for developing extraordinary leaders left a lasting impression on us. Jack's remarkable legacy and enduring impact on leaders and organizations around the world will continue to inspire generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Zenger Folkman family, and Jack's loved ones during this difficult time 🙏.
Meeting Jack was a true privilege. He was one of those rare people who combined extraordinary knowledge and wisdom with genuine warmth, curiosity, generosity, and presence. Even in a room full of people, he had a remarkable ability to make every conversation feel personal and meaningful. My heartfelt condolences to Holly and the entire family. I feel grateful to also have met Holly and to have experienced her kindness and hospitality.
Jack leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to influence leaders around the world for many years to come. He will be deeply missed.
When I think of Jack, I think first of his genuine kindness. He had a remarkable way of making every person he met feel seen, valued, and appreciated. He recognized and celebrated the gifts and talents of others, freely offering sincere encouragement and thoughtful, specific compliments. He found joy and wonder in the accomplishments of those around him (especially Holly’s) and his face and voice would light up as he would proudly show the wall of photos celebrating the beautiful posterity he and Holly shared.
One of my favorite things was the way Holly brought a twinkle to his eye. His love for her, his admiration of her, and the happiness he found in their life together were unmistakable.
Jack's kindness, sincerity, generosity of spirit, hard work, sense of fun, and deep love for Holly and their family are the legacy I will remember most. Along with that come so many treasured memories including: watching Twister to break in their new theater room; spending time in Midway in winter, spring, summer and fall; carpooling to church when the snow was deep and learning from Jack that white is the safest color for a vehicle ("unless you're in the snow," Holly would add, as Jack laughed); crèche collections and exhibits; wonderful events they hosted; enjoying Jack's magic; witnessing the wholehearted dedication he and Holly gave to their callings (including the many hours he spent preparing in his home office) and seeing Jack's quiet thoughtfulness as he reached out to the one.
Holly, I love you so much. I'm so very grateful for the gift of our recent time together. Jack seemed so well and as always, attentive to you. My prayers are with you and with all who love Jack and will miss his voice, his laugh, and the warmth, joy, and smiles his presence brought wherever he went.
Thank you, Jack, for being you.
Jack was a competitor, professional colleague and a friend, He
Jack was a competitor, a professional colleague and a friend. I had the honor of knowing him for over forty years. He will always be one of the top global leadership experts. Over his long career he touched the life’s of thousands of lead
I had the honor of knowing Jack over 40 years, as a tough competitor, exceptional leader and a friend. His research hhand training interventions created of over a million of better leaders who in turn touched the lives of millions of employees.
Will always remember his smile, gentle, strong supportive manner and generosity! Love and respect for a remarkable man🩷
Quel bonheur d'avoir pu connaître Jack !
Sa présence, son regard pétillant et la chaleur de ses mots sont à jamais gravés dans ma mémoire.
Merci Jack
My deepest condolences to Jack's family friends and working 'family' at Zenger Folkman. I have been a partner with Jack and Joe for over 15 years. I have numerous memories of meeting Jack over that time on his many visits to the UK. What stands out is his warmth, integrity, charm and the attention he gave to me and my colleagues. He was always present and somehow always managed to understand. He will be missed and fondly remembered. With much love. Steve
Jack was my mentor for many years. He was a great cousin! I could never have done all of the work I did without his research and knowledge.
My favorite memory though is when he pulled a ping pong ball out of my ear when I was little.
He always made me laugh and provided great counsel. He will be missed by me and many others. Love, Kathie
I will always remember Jack has been so very gentle, kind, genuine, and considerate. And Holly, you have been such a dear friend throughout the years and how I treasure the times we have had together! My heart goes out to you, my sweet friend❣️🥰❤️🩹🙏🏽
Bless you, Jack. You, your leadership gifts and working for Zenger Miller changed my life. It was such an honor to represent and live The Basic Principles. Thank you for the multiple ways you touched this world. Your reward was Jesus reaching down to take your hand. I’m sending prayers to your family.
It has been a privilege to know Jack. He was such a gentleman and an inspiration. Much love to you Holly.
Marian Rockwood
I had a couple of good opportunities to ask Jack for his view regarding leadership. I don’t remember what we actually discussed. But I will always remember how he patiently, sincerely and kindly took the time to talk with me as if our discussion was the most important matter of the world.
Jack was a great friend and example of how not to let age slow you down. He told me to see yourself as a 25 year old in your 90’s. Always thoughtful, generous and kind, he and Holly graciously opened their home to be used for many activities including an annual crèche display. He will be sorely missed.
A Giant has Fallen !! He blessed my life and that of my now departed husband, in ways that are eternal. So many very precious memories ……. Starting in Palo Alto Ward Gospel Doctrine classes, on to dinners at our home with Jack teaching Tom the gospel as only he could.
“ … trailing clouds of glory…”. …………
Sincere love and gratitude to all the Zenger family.
“‘‘Tis human fortune’s happiest height to be a spirit melodious, lucid, poised. and whole;
Second in order of felicity
To walk with such a soul.”
I love to think of all the blessings bestowed by Jack’s wondrous soul. What a legacy!
Kathryn Stamey
I never had the privilege of meeting Jack, yet he became one of my heroes. The lessons he shared—about leadership, perseverance, and humility—shaped me in ways he never knew, and they will stay with me for the rest of my life. He was a remarkable human being.
I loved hearing him as a guest on the 90th Percentile podcast; every time he spoke, I felt as though I were sitting at his feet, learning from a quiet genius. His wisdom had a way of settling into you, making you better without ever demanding it.
Thank you for allowing others to know him, and for sharing pieces of his life and legacy. I hope you find comfort and peace in knowing that he lived with purpose, service, and extraordinary fortitude—and that he touched people far beyond those he ever met.
Dear Zenger family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Jack.
Although many people around the world knew him as an extraordinary thought leader, I will always remember him as a warm, generous, and inspiring person. It was a true privilege to know Jack, to learn from him, and to work alongside him over the years through the Zenger Folkman community.
His wisdom, kindness, and passion for developing leaders have touched countless lives, including my own. His legacy will continue to live on through the people he inspired and the positive impact he made around the world.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the love and admiration of so many people bring you comfort, and may Jack’s remarkable legacy continue to be a source of pride for generations to come.
With deepest sympathy,
Margareth de Wit
CBE Group | Professor of Leadership & Sustainability
Dear Zenger family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Jack.
Although many people around the world knew him as an extraordinary thought leader, I will always remember him as a warm, generous, and inspiring person. It was a true privilege to know Jack, to learn from him, and to work alongside him over the years through the Zenger Folkman community.
His wisdom, kindness, and passion for developing leaders have touched countless lives, including my own. His legacy will continue to live on through the people he inspired and the positive impact he made around the world.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the love and admiration of so many people bring you comfort, and may Jack’s remarkable legacy continue to be a source of pride for generations to come.
With deepest sympathy,
Margareth de Wit
CBE Group | Professor of Leadership & Sustainability
Dear Holly and the Zenger family:
It is with a heavy heart, and the deepest respect, that I offer my condolences to you for the passing of your beloved Jack.
For almost twenty years, I had the privilege of knowing him and being business partner in Mexico. To me, Jack was a mentor, coach, remarkable thinker, brilliant speaker, and, above all, a wonderful and kind person. His wisdom and The Extraordinary Leader transformed the way I serve my own clients, and will continue to guide my work.
I will always cherish the memory of spending time with Jack during his many trips to Mexico. He once traveled specially for the opening of our new office. He gave a keynote speech to our clients and friends and then mingled with them, signing books, conversing with warmth and cordiality. Everyone was struck the the simplicity, kindness, and charm that were so characteristic of him. We perceived not only a great mind, but a truly generous heart.
Jack’s influence lives on in the countless people and organizations he touched—and certainly in me. May his memory bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
With deep gratitude and heartfelt condolences.
Beautiful service today, and the music was absolutely beautiful as well. Thank you for commemorating Jack so thoughtfully, his life and example have truly inspired us.
A heartfelt thank you for including those of us who couldn’t be there in person through Zoom, it meant so much to be able to participate from out of state.
Sending love to you, Holly, and the entire Malmrose-Zengers family. ❤️❤️❤️
Good memories of Jack in Los Altos! He was a kind man.
What a wonderful example of Extraordinary Leadership, he took the principle of 'walking your talk' to a new level. I recall sitting around a meeting table in Rome, I believe it was, with other strategic partners. There I was thinking about, potentially in the next few years, about retirement. Then it suddenly dawned on me, as we were going round the table, that Jack was thirty years my senior at the time, around eighty years old, unflinching in his desire to want to teach and share messages of leadership. I found that both humbling and inspiring. It changed my outlook and renewed my motivation to keep going. Never retire. Thank you Jack. My deepest condolences to friends and family.
To Holly and the whole family,
I was so surprised and saddened to learn of Jack's passing. I figured he would outlive me!
I have countless fond memories of time spent with Jack, teaching, enjoying ISA conferences together, and more recently discussing the Andersen Consulting venture .
I am unable to travel, but greatly enjoyed attending the service via zoom.
Your stories and music were so uplifting.
I have had enough deep conversations with Jack to know he fully expects to be with you forever.
May it be so.
With great fondness.
Nick Noyes
Jack was a beautiful blend of brilliance, wisdom, and faith. When I began work on what is today known as The Tech Interactive The Tech Museum), Jack provided pro bono frontline leadership development resources for our tiny startup to get up and running, building a team leadership culture that enabled us to navigate the perils of a small startup with a big vision. Now, 30 years and millions of visitors, students and teachers later, Jack Zenger’s fingerprints are still detectable on that culture. The ripple effects of Jack Zenger influence are deep and wide. My condolences to Holly and your magnificent posterity.
Jack was one of the most generous people I have known. Our careers paralleled, and we often had great conversations about the learning and development field. He was always ready to help me in any way -- with outreach and supportive words. Goodbye, Jack. Thank you for being a fantastic role model of the leadership and values you taught.
Jack was a friend and role model to me since early childhood. He mentored me during my college years and had a huge impact on my education and career. He even provided me my first professional internship at Zenger-Miller in Cupertino CA. back in 1984 - a great growth experience for me.
His kids, especially Todd and Blake were best friends thru childhood and many days were spent at the Zenger home playing football in the front yard, basketball in the driveway, tubing in the backyard (San Francisquito Creek), and throwing cardboard blocks and/or rotten apricots at each other down in the basement. During those childhood years, Jack mesmerized me with his Chinese Rings magic act; and he took Todd, Blake and I to a couple of SF Giants games that were unforgettable - and got me hooked as a Giants fan for life. We also had some fun Zenger-Taylor ski trips up to Dodge Ridge and Sugar Bowl in the Sierras.
I have so very many fond memories of camping with the Taylors, Zengers and Englands up at "Bearmont" in the Santa Cruz foothills... no tents, no bathrooms - but the biggest redwood trees, and the biggest fun we kids could've ever had.
Jack was also our bishop for a summer in the Los Altos 1st Ward when Ann and I were first married; once again a leader, advisor and role model full of wit, wisdom, spirit and testimony.
When I think of Jack, these beautiful lyrics come to mind:
What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know,
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
We love you Jack! God be with you 'til we meet again!!!
I met Jack early in our high school years when his family moved from SLC to Provo. We became good friends. We dated twin sisters for a while. He took the beauty and I took the fun one. At BYU we pledged into the "Brickers" together. We took some of the same classes and studied together. On a math test, by chance, we both missed the answer on the same problem. We were called before the honor council for cheating on the test. They presumed I was copying from Jack. I showed them that Jack had used a different method to reach the wrong answer than I used. They finally agreed that while we both had the best test results in the class, there was no cheating.
We graduated together and both of us were married at that time. Jack went West to USC and I went east to Harvard. In a few years, work brought us both to Palo Alto with our growing families. In total we shared many activities and adventures together. Our children's ages matched up well and his 7 and our 8 became lifelong friends.
Some friendships brighten life for an eternity. Jack's friendship is one of those. I think we can weather a short pause.
Our love to Holly, Dixie and all their kids.
Hank
For Holly and all of the Jack Zenger clan,
We want to send you our deepest condolences and love with the loss of your wonderful Jack… Husband, Father, Grandfather. We didn’t know him professionally, rather through Holly. It was a gift to observe his love for her and all of your family. How gracious he always was when the Olsen Tribe descended upon your lovely home for a weekend of reconnecting, frivolity, fun, laughter (and some dunkings in the reflection pool)! We always felt welcome.
Holly, we always knew of your love for Jack in the way you said his name, referenced him, and referred to his positions on ideas that needed to be brought to his attention.
For all of you, we understand there will be a huge, empty vacancy in your lives. We offer heartfelt love, and pray that you may be blessed with comfort, with the knowledge Jack has moved on to his next adventurous project in a far more vast and Eternal realm. We trust he will be very busy while he awaits your reuniting.
A few kind words can mean a great deal to the family in the days ahead.
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