Jessica is committed to racial equity, social justice, offers a bilingual/bicultural perspective, and has a long history of working with diverse communities. Jessica joined LFA in 2008 and has over ten years of experience working with organizations to support their learning and data-informed decision-making efforts. She is skilled at: directing research and evaluation projects; facilitation engagements; developing evaluation plans, evaluation frameworks, and data collection instruments; as well as leading data collection and analysis efforts; providing technical assistance; organizational development; strategy; diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting; training; and capacity-building services to organizations to help them integrate reflection and learning into their decision-making processes. Jessica has professional experience in the fields of youth development, women’s empowerment, environmental education, early childhood, and is a skilled translator and interpreter.
Before joining LFA in 2008, Jessica was the director of programs for an Oakland-based academic enrichment and scholarship foundation helping Bay Area students who face significant challenges to higher education achieve success in high school, college, and beyond. Jessica also worked as a bilingual community organizer in Silicon Valley providing leadership development and computer literacy workshops to Latina immigrant workers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, History, University of California, Santa Cruz
Bachelor of Arts, Latin American and Latina/o Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
Master of Arts, History, University of Connecticut, Storrs
Selected Project Experience
Strategic Planning and Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) Implementation Planning for First 5 Los Angeles
Development of Monitoring & Evaluation System and Evaluation Capacity Building for Rural Education and Development (READ) Global
Evaluation Capacity Building for S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation’s LEAPS (Leadership and Evaluation to Advance Program Success) for Environmental Literacy Initiative
Evaluation of Solano County Health and Social Services Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership
Evaluation and Technical Assistance for First 5 Solano County and First 5 Shasta County
Evaluation of Weingart Foundation’s Developmental Disabilities Initiative
Evaluation Planning and Technical Assistance for Calaveras County’s Behavioral Health Services
Evaluation and Technical Assistance for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North San Mateo County
Evaluation of the Rhode Island Foundation’s Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence