Life-long learner, enlivened by big ideas, eternal optimist, passionate about well-being in all realms of life.
As Chief of Staff, I get to dream big and co-create plans for investing in community-centered efforts to improve the health, wealth and vibrancy of nonprofits, partnerships and the people and visions they serve. Motivated by engagement with doers and thinkers dedicating their energy toward improving the common good and a desire to understand and improve the system that connects resources to such endeavors, my career has encompassed social service provision, advocacy, community development banking, and various roles at NFF delivering and designing advisory services and initiatives, including serving at the helm of our work in the Pay for Success arena for many years.
Hiking with my dogs, passing on my love of cooking and the ocean to my vivacious toddler, quieting my mind on the yoga mat, and pursuing a passion for wellness and human connection occupy my time outside NFF.
Bio: Jessica serves as Chief of Staff assisting NFF to become a more equitable intermediary of capital and financial knowledge to community-centered organizations. She supports the development of emergent, strategic national partnerships and programs and the evolution of NFF’s business model.
As Chief Business Development Officer for NFF’s Advisory Services practice, she oversaw $7-9 million in annual revenue to deliver consulting services for mission-based organizations and their funding partners. As an Advisory Service practice leader, she oversaw the operations and strategic evolution of a national consulting practice. As VP of Strategic Innovation, she oversaw NFF’s work in the Pay for Success (PFS) arena, spearheading national experimentation of an outcomes oriented funding approach to addressing social challenges. She designed and led implementation of philanthropic and government programs to seed the first 25 US PFS projects and facilitated cross sector learning through prolific speaking engagements. As NFF's California Market Director, she led program growth and product delivery in California, overseeing new regional initiatives and rolling out new programs and services in the region.
Previously, as a Vice President at Citi Community Capital, a division of Citigroup, she provided structured financing and impact investment to national nonprofit and CDFI clients. She holds a Master in Public Administration in nonprofit management from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Virginia.
LinkedInMy work at NFF fosters cross-sector partnerships focused on creating positive social outcomes in communities across the US. I'm continually inspired to utilize my financial and social-sector background toward achieving this evolution.