Jess (they/them) is passionate about education, employment, adolescent health/well-being, systems access and equity in Washington state – particularly for youth and young adults of color and youth who identify as LGBTQ+. They are committed to innovation and proactively create systems and services supporting healthy youth development.
Jess served as the Director of Adolescent Programs at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families for two years before joining Treehouse. Before joining DCYF, Jess spent almost 10 years at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction building initiatives to improve the statewide implementation of several programs, including Homeless Education, Foster Care Education, Equity and Civil Rights and K-12 Discipline. Jess has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of Washington, Tacoma, a Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy, and an Education Specialist degree in K-12 Leadership.