With over 20+ years of experience in the social sector working across the nonprofit and philanthropic fields, Jess brings both strategic depth and hands-on expertise to her work with client foundations. As Vice President of Philanthropic Advisory Services, she provides comprehensive advisory support and leadership to multiple client foundations, ranging from long-term, day-to-day grantmaking support to project-based consultancy, all while centering creativity, collaboration, and values-driven practices.
Jess joined PFS in 2009 and helped established what is now the grants management department before transitioning to client-facing programmatic work. A generalist at heart, her time working as a Senior Program Officer established specialized focus in areas such as youth mental health and wellbeing, the arts, college access, place-based giving, and collaborative grantmaking. From 2020 to 2025, Jess served on the PFS management team, where she helped shape the firm's culture, oversaw the brand platform, and managed the program services department.
Prior to joining PFS, Jess spent more than seven years in the nonprofit youth development and arts education sector. She held program and development roles with organizations including 826 Valencia, Open Roads, Summer Search, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities — experience that directly informs and motivates her approach to grantmaking. Jess earned a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and holds a Creative Nonfiction Writing Certificate from the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine.
A transplant from Minnesota, Jess's Midwest roots run deep, though she now lives in Sonoma County with her husband, their two sons, and a cat named Tater Tot. Outside of work, you'll find her cheering from the sidelines of whatever sport her kids are into these days or making the most of the local beaches and restaurants.