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Meet Jessica
Jessica N. Grounds is a recognized leader at the intersection of politics, business, and equality. Over the past two decades, she has founded and led organizations that elevate women into leadership, advised Fortune 500 companies on inclusive workplace strategy, and spoken around the world about the future of modern leadership. Her work spans sectors but is rooted in a single belief: that leadership is most effective when it is inclusive, purpose-driven, and built to reflect the world we live in.
Her Mission
is to redesign leadership structures so they are more representative, human-centered, and forward-looking — helping institutions and individuals shift from power preservation to power sharing, and from exclusion to equality.
All About Jessica
CEO, Corporate Directors Forum &
Corporate Directors Forum Institute
Co-Founder, Mine The Gap
Co-Founder, Running Start
Jessica N. Grounds is an internationally
recognized thought-leader in leadership and diversity practices. She has founded multiple organizations, companies, and initiatives to address the barriers to diverse leadership in the boardroom and c-suite, on management teams, and in elected political leadership.
Jessica has led groundbreaking research on gender and diversity dynamics in the
workplace. In partnership with Russell 1000 company FTI Consulting, she co-authored the reports #MeToo At Work, Culture At Work, and The Enthusiasm Gap. She also directed research and content for four studies published by the California Partners Project on the impact of California Senate Bill 826—the first U.S. law requiring publicly held companies
headquartered in the state to add women to their boards. Her expertise in this area led to her role as an expert witness in subsequent court cases.
Today, Jessica serves as CEO of Corporate Directors Forum, a San Diego–based
membership organization that equips board directors, executives, and decision-makers with modern governance and leadership practices. She recently launched Corporate Directors Forum Institute, which develops innovative mentorship, diversity, and governance
programs for the broader public. She also contributes her expertise as a member of
Nasdaq’s Center for Board Excellence Insights Council.
In 2016, Jessica co-founded Mine The Gap, advising Fortune 500 companies, organizations, and government agencies on how to build inclusive and resilient workplaces. Earlier in her career, she co-founded Running Start (2007), a nonpartisan nonprofit that inspires young
women to run for elected office. Running Start has trained more than 30,000 young women in political leadership, and Jessica continues to serve on its board of directors as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. After nearly 17 years based in Washington, D.C., Jessica returned to her hometown of San Diego in 2019.
Pillars of Jessica
Leader
Jessica has spent her career advising political leaders, corporate executives, and global organizations on building inclusive leadership cultures that drive systemic change.
Founder
As the founder of organizations like Mine The Gap and Running Start, Jessica has created lasting platforms for empowering women and diverse leaders in public and private sectors.
Educator
From lecturing at Georgetown University to training women leaders worldwide, Jessica has dedicated herself to developing the next generation of inclusive, purpose-driven changemakers.
Mother
Jessica brings the lessons of leadership home — raising the next generation with the values of equity, resilience, and hope for a better world.