Jessica Jackson

Jessica Jackson’s quest for justice began in a Georgia courtroom. The high-school dropout held her two-month-old daughter and watched helplessly as her husband was sentenced to six years in prison. In that moment, she decided to turn her shock into a crusade to change the justice system. She then enrolled and graduated from the University of South Florida's Honors College and Santa Clara University School of Law, where she was awarded the Dean's Outstanding Student Award.

Jessica's career as an attorney began at the Habeas Corpus Resource Center, representing men and women on California's death row. In 2014, she co-founded #cut50, a bipartisan initiative to end mass incarceration, where she served as National Director. #cut50 took on both federal and state legislation, including the “First Step Act,” which The New York Times called “the most substantial justice reform in a generation.” While leading #cut50, Jessica helped pass 19 bills in 17 states, led a national clemency campaign, and built a 50-state grassroots network for bipartisan reform, #cut50’s Empathy Network.

In addition to her advocacy work, Jessica was elected to the City Council in Mill Valley, California, in 2013 and later served as Mayor. During her tenure, she focused on affordable housing, regional homelessness, emergency preparedness, and protecting local businesses.

Today, Jessica serves at the CEO of REFORM Alliance. She previously served as REFORM Alliance’s Chief Advocacy Officer, leading the organization’s efforts to end mass supervision and reduce incarceration through policy change.