About Jessye

I am a leader, a recruiter, a coach, a facilitator, a solution finder, a conflict resolver, a communication expert, an activist, a creative, and a survivor with lived experience of domestic violence, bullying, and depression who is queer and differently-abled.

“I gained a level of confidence that I haven’t experienced with any other career consultant. ”
— Claire Ogden, Communications Coordinator
“Jessye made the hiring process a breeze.”
— Molly Barstow, Deputy Director
“Jessye is seriously a power house- it really seems like there is nothing she can’t do”
— Amanda Paskavitz, Medical Student
“Do yourself a favor and schedule a time to meet with Jessye”
— Samba Diallo, Executive Director

My experiences, personally and professionally, engage me in a lifelong commitment to social impact and making the world a better place to live in. I approach my work with a compassionate, empathetic lens that is grounded in lived experiences, DEI, and anti-oppression frameworks. Listening to everyone - and creating a space where everyone is heard - is paramount to my practice.

I bring a wealth of experience to this work with 13 years of leadership roles in a range of nonprofit, NGO, healthcare, and educational settings. With over 10+ years in the nonprofit industry, executive leadership experience, an MBA, international work history, and an unwavering commitment to helping others, I am confident in my capacity to find a solution for you and your organization.

  • My mission is to support organizations and individuals to embody their personal and professional missions and do good work. I work with people who are motivated to enhance their lives through better communication, processes, and systems. I work to increase communication and trust on your teams, helping you to do the important work you are doing - but better.

    1. I do not take every contract or opportunity that comes my way. I ensure our values are aligned, that the scope is in my wheelhouse, and that I can deliver a final product or solution that will benefit you as an individual or your organization.

    2. My discovery process is in-depth and includes all relevant participants or employees experiences to create holistic solutions, job requisitions, or program plans.

    3. I provide personal, real-life anecdotes and examples to help deepen understanding of the material taught.

    4. Stellar candidate experience is my guarantee. I am not a ghosting recruiter. Every applicant will be updated on their status and interviewed candidates receive feedback to help them in their search.

    5. I believe everyone can become a better leader and a better communicator.

    6. I dig deep to get to the root of the conflict, problem, or tension point. I ask the questions others do not ask.

    7. I integrate DEI principles into all aspects of my work. This includes enforcing salary range transparency in talent acquisition, engaging with entry-level staff for their perspectives, and encouraging a diverse perspective in conflict resolution coaching.

  • Outside of my work, I travel often, laugh daily, love a good board game, maintain dozens of deep friendships all over the world, can always enjoy a hike or a swim, cook delicious vegetarian meals, and practice mindfulness and meditation with a focus on enjoying this wild and crazy world we live in.

    Those close to me describe me as thoughtful, caring, and a relationship building superstar. Those who’ve worked with me describe me as compassionate, a powerhouse, and extremely organized. Those who’ve taken my trainings or been coached by me describe my style as warm, approachable, and rich with insights and actionable feedback.

But don’t take my word for it! Check out the 30+ testimonials throughout this website from previous trainees, employees, clients, and more!

Professional Experience

  • ~Hired 16 people in 12 months for 7 different organizations

    ~Hired 6 roles for a single organization in 3 weeks; candidates reported the best recruitment experience ever


    ~Filled 3 hard-to-fill roles within 60 days for a deadline training start date.

    
~Worked with over 217 leaders from 40+ organizations since 2021 in a range of individual and group contexts

    ~Re-structured a communications department of a 12-person mission-driven organization; created and implemented lasting new systems

    ~Coached and strategized with 3 newly promoted Executive Directors, a Interim Deputy Director, a Special Projects Manager, and a Director of Operations

    ~Facilitated 15 customized workshops for organizational clients & provided 75+ hours of instructional content

    ~Conducted 400+ interviews for candidates as a hiring manager and freelance recruiter for roles ranging from executives to entry level (since 2018); infused DEIB practices into hiring management processes

    ~100% of leadership coaching clients reported they would recommend coaching to a friend or co-worker

    ~98% of workshop participants reported learning a new skill

    updated 4/2024

    Learn more on my LinkedIn

  • -Jessye Kass Consulting: February 2021-Present

    -Director of People Operations at Free Form Minds (part-time): Oct 2022-Present

    -Director of the Cambridge Women’s Center: June 2018-November 2020

    -Residential Coordinator (Housing Manager) and Client Advocate at AIDS Action Committee: Feb 2015-September 2017

    -Fulbright in Thailand (Teaching): Sept 2013-October 2014

    -Co-Founder & Vice President of Attukwei Art Foundation: Nov 2010-July 2013

    Want to learn more? Check out my LinkedIn

  • 2nd Place in Citizen Diplomacy Stories Contest, U.S. Department of State: International Exchange Programs, Jan 2017

    Fulbright US Student Award (Thailand) for English Teaching, Sept 2013-Oct 2014

    Brandeis Awards:

    For social consciousness & activism, (David A Alexander Memorial Award)

    For excellence in the Anthropology Department (Award for Engaged Anthropology)

    Phi Beta Kappa: Mu Chapter

    Grants (2) for service work in Ghana: Karpf-Hahn Peace Award & Sorensen Fellowship

  • MBA, Master in Business Administration from Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington, DC

    Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude with highest honors from Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

    Publications:

    “What Do Career Coaches Do, and How Do I Pick the Right One?” Impact Opportunity. (Web). January 2024.

    “5 Signs You Need to Hire a Career Coach.” Impact Opportunity. (Web). January 2024.

    “Grieving at Work: Tools to Cope.” Impact Opportunity. (Web). July 2023

    “It’s a lizard, not a gecko.” U.S. Department of State: International Exchange Programs (Web). January 2017.

    “Helping or Hurting: Ethics of Voluntourism.” Brandeis International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life (Web). April 2013.

    “Trauma and Healing through Art: Revealing the Power of Solidarity.” Brandeis International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life. December 2011.

What People Are Saying

  • Amanda P - Med Student

    “Jessye is seriously a power house- it really seems like there is nothing she can't do! She is thoughtful in her approach, efficient, supportive, organized, and always a pleasure to work with. I've learned so much from her about how to be a good leader and how to best serve people in the community who come from diverse backgrounds.”

  • LeNay H., Nonprofit Director (YWCA)

    “Jessye's ability to find common ground, develop networks and resources to meet both program and individual needs, along with her compassion and understanding of underserved populations, would make her an asset to any individual or organization.”

  • Tamar H., Lawyer

    “Jessye Kass is such an incredible person and visionary! She is a leader, an empath, a dreamer, a planner, and a healer all wrapped up in one. …Working with Jessye was such a gift, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! ”

  • Ellie C.- Nonprofit Director & Doula

    “ Jessye is incredibly talented at balancing the human piece of the work, as well as giving strong feedback to help navigate work, and the world. ”

  • Marissa C. - Social Worker

    “ Jessye was the best supervisor I could have ever asked for, especially at that time. Her ability to provide both empowerment and guidance simultaneously is a truly unique quality. She helped me become my best self in the workplace and find my confidence. ”

  • Mariah Fogg, Program Manager BRNC

    “I gained so much confidence as a new supervisor after attending trainings with Jessye. The content was digestible and the environment they were presented in fostered a brave space for learning. Many of the tools that were provided are things I’ve been able to incorporate into my day to day and long-term planning”

  • Paige Sweet, Asst Professor of Sociology at UMich

    I have such admiration for the way Jessye manages to integrate practical issues of leadership and service provision with macro-level goals of anti-racism and feminism -- these are not separate questions for her, like they are for so many people.

My mission is to empower others to be the leaders they want to be.

Chat with me

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