Hi, I’m Jess – a brand strategist, creative director, human-centered designer, mentor, coach, board member, teacher, speaker, writer, partner, and mother.

My two decades in the creative industry have spanned working in-house for DTC, running my own studio, strategizing for startups, innovating for Fortune 500 companies, mentoring creative teams, leading human-centered research, building differentiating experiences, and crafting trailblazing brands.

My career began designing in-house for Fresh Cosmetics. Here, I developed a holistic approach to branding experiences that truly resonate with consumers.

In 2008, I opened the doors to my creative studio, JSGD,  with a simple mission—make beautiful and purposeful design accessible to those passionate about making a difference in their industry. For a decade, we worked with hundreds of growing, mission-driven brands, including Follain, Brass Clothing, Privy, Spyce, The Urban Grape, French + Italian, and many more. I was lucky to employ a kick-ass team of female-identifying creatives to mentor and grow alongside.

For six years, I worked at the innovation consulting firm EPAM Continuum, immersing myself in human-centered design. I used ethnographic research to develop brand and business strategies for large corporations and start-ups. This fascinating work allowed me to help others on a larger scale, crafting solutions that result in impactful experiences while solving customer, employee, and business needs. I’ve launched ground-breaking healthcare brands, reimagined the future of entire industries, and led teams that span multiple continents.

As the Vice President of Brand at Drink Progressively Group, I oversaw the creative and growth strategy of a portfolio of brands rooted in building community through beverage and increasing pathways for BIPOC in the wine industry.

My consulting offering, Terre~Prana, allows me to tap into the root of what truly lights me up: helping founders approach growth through Business Somatics. I believe a founder's energetic health has a direct ripple effect on the company. By tapping into their blocks and limiting beliefs, we unlock strategic roadmaps that help them scale in a healthy and meaningful way.

I’ve continued to follow my passion for helping others and am currently on the Board of Directors of The Foundation for Living Beauty. This organization supports, uplifts, and empowers women with cancer. Being a part of such an incredible group of people has been life-changing and inspiring.