Jessica Estévez , Director of Programs

Jessica holds a Masters of Management from Brandeis University and a Bachelors of Arts & Science from Mount Holyoke College. She specializes in Human Services, Children, Youth and Families.

Jessica is very committed to youth development, community initiatives and education, especially those that target underserved populations. She has continually been enriched by organizations and mentors that challenge and compliment her passions and skills.

As a product of cross-cultural education, Jessica is actively involved in motivating and equipping young people to pursue diversity education and higher learning. Prior to her assignment at Community Tampa Bay she was an academic coordinator with the University of South Florida’s GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). She has been a campus wide Coordinator for pre-college programs. She has been coordinating summer and year long academic curriculum and enrichment programs for students for more than 8 years. Jessica continually seeks to include parents and community leaders in programming to develop character and foster excellence as a habit, not a single act.

Jessica was raised in the Dominican Republic. Her parents, both of Dominican decent, and her two sisters lived in Massachusetts for over 10 years. Currently, Jessica and her husband Edwin, live in Hillsborough County with their two children, Taína & Natalia. Jessica began her post as Director of Programs for Community Tampa Bay in November 2005.

Prior to moving to Florida, she was the Director of Multicultural and Cross-cultural programs. She developed, coordinated and monitored the cross-cultural academic curriculum for Greenville College campus since its conception. Her multiple roles required an ability to tap into various resources and networks to assist in the development of a diverse community. Her international interests motivated her to launch and oversee special programs that serve internationals and other ethnic minorities, one such program is MI ALANA, a pre-college orientation for Third culture kids, internationals, and students with African, Latino, Asian and Native American backgrounds. She has worked with NAFSA, Association of International Educators to ensure international students adhere to F-1 regulations.

She is a graduate of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)Leadership Development Institute in and participant at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute in Illinois. Jessica is a certified trainer for the Points of Light Foundation, Prudential Youth Leadership Institute and Youth on Board, both focused on youth leadership. She has also obtained certificates of achievement and training Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process; an antiracism training and skill development program. In addition, she is a certified strength coach for the Gallup School of Management. Jessica actively participated in the CCCU Presidential Symposium on Intercultural Competencies.

She began a career in business as an accountant executive for the Boston Globe in the Arts and Entertainment sections in 1996. From 1997 to 1999, she worked for the Center for Venture in Girls’ Education, the Lawrence Youth Commission, and the Lawrence Teen Coalition all of Lawrence, Massachusetts as team, literacy and outreach leader. She served as a consultant with Tuft Community Health Plan of Waltham, Massachusetts from 1998 to 1999. Jessica later served as the Community Initiatives Director for the United Way of Merrimack Valley from 1999-2000.

Jessica seeks to coordinate community projects nurturing self-pride, education, diversity, leadership, and highlighting the importance of sharing resources across public and private sectors throughout the community.