As Grants Manager at GAR Foundation, Jessica plays a central role in stewarding the Foundation’s grantmaking process from start to finish. She works closely with program staff, grantees, and community partners to ensure that each grant is administered with accuracy, transparency, and alignment with the Foundation’s values. Her work includes managing grant systems, facilitating timely and thoughtful review processes, supporting evaluation efforts, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Jessica has also supported numerous initiatives at GAR, including STARS, which supported local childcare centers to demonstrate how effective coaching and training can help improve educational attainment for young children, and the Community Voice Committee, which convenes Black Akron residents to help shape the Foundation's grantmaking.
With a career dedicated to the nonprofit sector, Jessica has contributed her skills to organizations including Leadership Akron, Project Learn of Summit County, and ACCESS, Inc. She is a proud Torchbearers alumna and currently serves on the boards of Downtown Akron Partnership and Western Reserve Community Fund. In 2019, she was recognized with the 30 for the Future award by the Greater Akron Chamber. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Ohio University. In 2026-2027, she was selected to participate in Ohio Excels' Education & Workforce Policy Fellowship, a cross-sector program that brings together leaders from across the state to explore policies shaping early childhood, K-12 education, higher education, and workforce development.
Jessica lives in west Akron with her cat, Alanna, who takes her role as household supervisor very seriously, especially when it comes to Zoom calls and yarn projects.
Believe it or not: Jessica is a skilled and passionate crafter and can frequently be spotted wearing her own creations, from dresses she's sewn herself to hand-knit sweaters.