Jessica Grounds, Senior Strategist
A native Californian and natural feminist, JESSICA GROUNDS has always considered politics to be something of a second nature. She was brought up in a progressive Democratic household in the historically conservative city of San Diego. Her family helped to foster her political spark, watching the Presidential debates as most families watch the Super Bowl.
When Jessica came to the Stones' Phones Washington, DC office in May 2004, she brought a plethora of political experience with her.
As a political science and sociology student at Pepperdine University, Jessica was President of the Young Democrats and an active student leader. Dedicated to helping more women into elected office, Jessica worked as the Deputy Public Policy Director for the National Foundation for Women Legislators in 2002. During the 2002 midterm elections, Jessica lent her energy to two campaigns in California, helping win elections for Congresswoman Lois Capps and Assemblymember Fran Pavley.
After moving to Washington, DC, Jessica continued to pursue her goal of electing women to public office. She became the Political Director for Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC) and currently serves as WUFPAC's President. In 2007, she and the directors of WUFPAC co-founded Running Start, a non-profit organization that encourages girls and young women to pursue careers in politics. She also founded Young Women Consultants' Network, to support young women breaking into the field of political consulting.
Jessica holds a graduate degree in Women, Policy and Political Leadership from the Women & Politics Institute at American University. She was published in 2007 for a paper that discussed the leadership differences of male and female members of Congress. Jessica has lectured on issues related to women running for elected office for numerous organizations and educational institutions including: Johns Hopkins and American Universities, National Association of Women Business Owners, Women in Government Relations, Women's Campaign Forum & the Women & Politics Institute. Most recently, Jessica took a leave of absence to serve as the Training Lead for Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign in Iowa.
You can reach Jessica at Jessica at stonesphones dot com.