2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Jessica co-founded Beacon’s Physician Philanthropy Council (PPC)—a program that has attracted over 50 physician members, including 26 first-time donors, and funded 90+ grants since 2019. The Council earned AHP’s 2024 Innovation in Philanthropy Award. 

Her article, “A Physicians-Only Giving Circle: Why Their Gifts Aren’t the Best Part,” was featured in AHP International’s Healthcare Philanthropy Journal (Fall 2023), where she shared strategic insights on engaging clinicians in giving. 

Jessica is leading Beacon’s AI-driven grateful patient program, identifying high-potential prospects from patient data without relying on clinician referrals—leading to over 50% of her major gift portfolio being sourced through this strategy. 

Jessica regularly mentors early-career professionals in healthcare philanthropy, both formally through AHP networks and informally within Beacon, helping build a regional pipeline of mission-driven, equity-focused fundraisers. 

Like many, it was a journey! For as long as I can remember, healthcare has been part of my life: my dad has spent his career in hospital administration, one of my grandfathers was an engineer that helped build hospitals, and my other was a BioChem professor who did much of his research in the healthcare space.

As a teen, I worked part time at a hospital and loved interacting with patient families and the med staff. After graduating college, I pursued non-healthcare marketing opportunities. In 2011, I made my way to a local hospital in marketing role. However, after getting involved with the Foundation's events, I couldn't wait to learn more about the philanthropic side of the industry!

In 2014, I joined an AMC development team full-time and spent the next several years learning new roles and aspects of fundraising. I've been with Beacon Health Foundation since late '17 and work primarily with major donors and clinicians. After nearly 15 years in healthcare, I feel like I'm living out my calling. The colleagues, providers, patients, and communities that I've had the privilege to work alongside and/or support have made my days in healthcare philanthropy truly meaningful.

I chose to make healthcare philanthropy my career because I believe in the healing power of both medicine and genuine human connection. I've seen firsthand how gratitude can transform grief into hope, how generosity can drive innovation and save lives, and how expressions of thanks can celebrate and sustain our often burnout clinical colleagues. To me, it's the ultimate "win-win-win."

While I can't perform surgery or be a steadfast clinical presence at a patient's bedside (weak stomach, poor science skills!) - I can genuinely connect with people who share a passion for healthcare, giving back, and celebrating outstanding providers.

I've always worked with grateful patients/families in some capacity. And today, I'm privileged to oversee our Grateful Engagement Program at Beacon. This program took on a whole new meaning when our youngest was born 2.5 years ago, though...

At 20-weeks gestation, our son was diagnosed with gastroschisis. He arrived at 37-weeks and was in his first major surgery an hour later. He went on to have two more major surgeries, spending 42 days between our Beacon Children's Hospital Level III NICU and PICU.

It was an extraordinary intersection between my personal and professional life—and has forever changed how I approach my career. My husband, our family, and I experienced first-hand why having a top-tier children's hospital in the community is so critical. Through the highs and lows, we were surrounded by expert, compassionate providers who cared for our son like he was their own.

Still today, we have overflowing gratitude for the countless people who cared for our son and family—we truly believe God placed each person in our path not only to save his life, but to help him become the thriving 2.5-year-old he is today. And, we were only 20 minutes from home!

That gratitude has become a powerful inspiration and motivation for me professionally. It’s a true joy to celebrate all the providers who walk with other families through their hardest days, and to do my part as a fundraiser in helping ensure these local, life-changing resources remain available for our community.

My greatest passion is helping people find purpose in their gratitude. That passion is rooted in my faith and shaped daily by my family. I believe we're called to serve others, and for me, that means listening well, building trust, and turning moments of gratitude into lasting impact—for both patients and providers.

I've personally experienced and seen firsthand how generosity can support health, enhance connection, and transform lives. Whether it's a scholarship, a note of thanks, or a transformational gift, I'm inspired by the chance to help others give back in ways that are deeply personal and meaningful. My hope is to honor and celebrate people—who they are, what they've experienced, and how they want to make a difference.

You will work with highly educated, very intelligent clinicians throughout your career—don't be intimidated! They are just people; people who are also passionate about helping others and learning new things.

Clinical partners will look to you—the fundraising expert!—to help guide and teach them as they navigate the new and often unfamiliar world of philanthropy. You don't have to have all the answers, but be confident in your knowledge and abilities, and the value you add to your organization.