Harvard University

Franklin Pierce University

UMass Boston

Middlesex Community College

Executive Director at Union Square Main Streets

Union Square Main Streets works to strengthen the dynamic neighborhood of businesses and people in Union Square. We achieve this mission by:
*promoting and celebrating the unique and spirited character of Union Square
*Advocating for and assisting local businesses
*Working to create welcoming public spaces, and
*Fostering connection and collaboration among diverse stakeholders and partners.

Union Square Main Streets

Executive Director

Orchestrating events with and for Impact Hub Boston's community of change-makers where social businesses connect and build solutions for a better world. 

Our members consist of value-driven entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, activists, creatives, investors, freelancers and mentors who work together, share ideas and resources as they work to fix the world. Among our members, you’ll find clean energy and sustainability start ups, food entrepreneurs, public health strategists, web and IT specialists, architects, advocates, students and more! Our 240+ members work at Impact Hub Boston, attend and produce events, run their own workshops, access mentorship, find co-conspirators and partners, participate in social networks, build campaigns, launch companies, prototype and test products… all within a member-driven, Impact Hub-hosted environment dedicated to accelerating possibilities.

We are part of a global network of more than 90 Impact Hubs with over 15,000 members worldwide.

Impact Hub Boston

Events Lead

Planned, executed, and completed Appalachian Trail 2016 solo thru hike.

Responsibilities:
- Researched, acquired, tested, refined gear systems: sleep, cook, water filtration, apparel, pack, navigation 
- Navigated expidition using a variety of digital, hardcopy, and word-on-the-trail resources
- Forded rivers, traversed rock scrambles, and negotiated wide variety of terrain across four seasons
- Scouted, purified, and managed water supplies in varying seasons and extended drought
- Developed ability to identify outstanding stealth campsites
- Skilled in all-hour bear bag hangs
- Practiced and promoted "Leave No Trace" principles
- Networked with hikers, forest service professionals, and trail angles from diverse backgrounds and levels of hiking experience
- Demonstrated tenacity through minor and major injuries, with a focus on nutrition and stretching regiments
-Orchestrated in-town and mail-drop resupply points and permitting, including contingency planning for massive forest fires, severe draught, blow-your-tent-inside-out winds, and thunderstorms 
- Mastery of trail lingo and terminology in trail logs, campfire storytelling, and general conversation resulting in effective written and oral communication abilities 
- Developed exceptional night-hiking ability to ensure completion of goal    
- Mitigated encounters with wildlife including bears, arachnids, and venomous snakes

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Adventurer

As Chair:
- Raised CYPN's public profile before the business community, its members, and partners with public appearances and collaborations
- Orchestrated first strategic planning effort in the CYPN's 10 years of existence
- Bolstered CYPN's leadership team with a focus on volunteer recruitment and development and succession planning.

Concord Young Professional Network

Chair

Responsible for development activities at the New Hampshire Humanities:
- Individual giving including growing endowments and planned giving
- Foundation support through grant writing and management
- Corporate sponsorship
- Oversight of Raiser's Edge database
- Growing New Hampshire Humanities network of friends and supporters at a critical time of reduced federal funding

New Hampshire Humanities

Development Director

Primary spokesperson connecting MSCI with its constituents and strategic partners

Pursued, authored, and managed membership campaigns, sponsorship offerings and grant applications

Promoted MSCI’s programs and activities through speaking engagements, media interviews and other appearances to keep MSCI highly visible in the community

Managed all daily activities and administrative aspects of the organization

Established database cataloging business, property owner, donor, city and media contacts

Produced 9 annual events

Together with the Board of Directors, developed and implemented strategic goals for the organization

Maintained strong partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders with respect to physical improvements within the district

Lead champion for the Re-Thinking Main Street project that engaged more than 1,000 stakeholders in the exploration, development and presentation of economic development strategies through streetscape design

Facilitated retail business involvement with events, advertising, parking management and other issues

Managed 60+ page website for the organization

Published interactive and informative e-newsletter twice-monthly

Coordinated publication of Downtown’s Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Guide

Developed a wildly popular downtown Concord Facebook page connecting 2,500 fans

Launched Be Local Concord, Concord’s buy local initiative, with more than 50 founding members

Coordinated development of the organization’s employee and volunteer manuals
Upgraded office technology to include computers and server, printers and multiple back-up systems

Oversaw coordination of Downtown Dollars program and the Melissa Miller and Steeple print fundraising product programs

Member of the Concord 2020 Board, Leadership Greater Concord Steering Committee, CYPN Steering Committee, Capitol Center for the Arts 15th Anniversary
Communications Committee and the City of Concord Parking Committee

Main Street Concord, Inc.

Responsible for securing more than $65,000 in event sponsorships; $35,000 in pledges for the Holiday Tree
Lighting program; and $50,000 in membership support in 2008

Lead coordinator for annual Taste of Downtown Nashua and the Winter Holiday Stroll events which together attracted 50,000+ event goers to the district

Published e-newsletter reporting on issues relating to the economic development of the program area

Coordinated a Downtown Dollars program with more than 85 participating businesses

Acted as both a resource for, and liaison between, downtown constituents including business owners, property
owners, city officials, the media, members of the arts community, residents, and downtown patrons

Active committee member for IUGO, Nashua’s young professional networking group

Great American Downtown Inc

Marketing Manager

Managed all aspects of membership acquisition and renewal mass mailing campaigns:  strategy and projections, copy and design, and database maintenance

Established and nurtured relations with members, artists, vendors and volunteers to ensure the success of Museum programs and events

Created and maintained PastPerfect database for donors, members, artists, volunteers and professional associates

Assisted the Director in planning, execution and wrap-up of events, receptions and meetings throughout the year, including 4 major celebrations and over a dozen offsite outreach events 

Organized Volunteer Corp of more than 100 members by coordinating recruitment, training, retention and supervision 

Provided ongoing support the to the Executive Director

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum

Membership Manager & Events Coordinator

Completed verbal and written notification of hazardous material incidents to local, state and federal agencies

Documented regulatory reporting and remediation activities relating to hazardous material incidents

Coordinated hazardous waste disposal  

Reviewed and audited contractor invoices

Jessica L. Eshleman