Jessica N. Grounds
About Jessica N. Grounds
Jessica N. Grounds is a co-founder and board director of Running Start and Mine The Gap, with extensive experience in training and advising on gender and diversity issues. She currently serves as an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University and Pepperdine University, and has held various leadership roles in government and non-profit organizations.
Work at Running Start
Jessica N. Grounds serves as Co-Founder and Board Director at Running Start: Bringing Young Women to Politics. She has held this position since 2007, contributing to the organization's mission to empower young women in political leadership. Her role includes strategic oversight and program development aimed at increasing women's participation in politics.
Current Academic Roles
Jessica Grounds is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, a position she has held since 2021. Additionally, she has been an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University since 2020. In these roles, she teaches courses related to leadership and political science, drawing on her extensive experience in the field.
Professional Background
Jessica Grounds has a diverse professional background that includes significant roles in both the public and private sectors. She worked at the U.S. Department of State as a Speakers Bureau Expert Trainer and Speaker from 2009 to 2016. Prior to that, she served as Training Lead for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2007-2008 and as Senior Vice President at Stones' Phones from 2004 to 2009.
Education and Expertise
Jessica Grounds holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, where she completed her studies in 2012. She also earned a Graduate Certificate in Women, Policy & Political Leadership from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pepperdine University. Her educational background supports her expertise in leadership and political engagement.
Research and Publications
Jessica Grounds has co-authored several reports, including #MeToo At Work, Culture At Work, and The Enthusiasm Gap, in collaboration with FTI Consulting. She has also led research for the California Partners Project on the impact of SB 826 legislation. Her work focuses on gender and diversity dynamics, and she has served as an expert witness in related court cases.