Jessi has nearly 15 years of experience in biopharma communications. She excels at creating and refining companies’ brands and narratives, advising on company and executive visibility, making science friendly for the layperson, and driving impact through corporate social responsibility and environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
From 2019 to 2023, she was the Head of External Communications at Agios Pharmaceuticals, designing and implementing all aspects of its communications strategy. Of note, she directed a strategic rebranding initiative that resulted in the company’s now-iconic “Fueled by Connections” narrative. She also crafted Agios’ inaugural ESG report which led to its recognition as one of Barron’s Top 100 Sustainable Companies, and continued to evolve the company’s ESG strategy, data collection, and reporting over four years.
Prior to her work at Agios, Jessi led internal and external communications at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and its spin company, Cyclerion Therapeutics. During this time, she played an instrumental role in the launch of Cyclerion, producing and implementing a communications plan for the spin-off; developing the company’s name, brand, and narrative; orchestrating product communications for the company’s pipeline of five soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators; and building a positive culture and community for a new startup.
Before Ironwood and Cyclerion, Jessi played a leadership role in the emerging biotech practice at Feinstein Kean Healthcare, an Ogilvy company. Jessi began her corporate communications career at Genzyme as a digital and internal communications specialist. She was a founding Board member of Genzyme’s Running for Rare Diseases team. Jessi double majored in English Literature and Psychology at Bethel University in Arden Hills, MN, and holds a Master’s in Publishing & Writing from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She grew up in Minnesota and loves lakes, coffee, and books.