About

MY STORY

 

 

Jessica brings over a decade of experience advancing social, environmental, and economic justice across sectors. She most recently served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Deputy Associate Administrator for Public Engagement and Environmental Education at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she led efforts to increase access, transparency, and community participation—most notably by launching the UPLIFT Community Action Grant to invest directly in frontline-led climate solutions.

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Her public service journey began in the Obama Administration at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she worked to connect communities with federal decision-making on environmental policy. In 2020, she was selected for the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team, where she helped identify and recommend a historic, diverse slate of appointees across federal agencies.

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Throughout her career, Jessica has championed coalition building and inclusive engagement as core tools for systems change. As former Director of Policy & Programs at GreenLatinos, she led national campaigns on climate, clean air and water, public lands, and transportation equity—training thousands of advocates and collaborating with federal agencies and Congress to advance environmental justice policy. She has co-led national coalitions like the Next 100 Coalition and Clean Water for All, and has advised on over $10 million in philanthropic investments using participatory, equity-first approaches.

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Jessica’s consulting work reflects her belief that transformative solutions emerge from the leadership and wisdom of impacted communities. She partners with clients to design participatory grantmaking models, develop policy strategies rooted in justice, and build capacity in BIPOC-led organizations. Her firm has helped secure over $1 million in funding for grassroots initiatives.

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A proud daughter of immigrants and first-generation college graduate, Jessica holds a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she was honored for her advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ students of color.

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Jessica currently serves as Board Chair of the Emery Community Garden Foundation and sits on the Next Generation Council of the Rock Creek Conservancy. She is driven by a deep respect for community wisdom, a commitment to shared power, and a vision for a regenerative, just future.