Jessica Grounds

Jessica N. Grounds is the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Directors Forum (CDF), a position she has held since January 2023.12 She is an internationally recognized leadership expert and visionary executive with nearly two decades of experience in politics, business, and the non-profit sectors.13

Career Highlights

• Co-founder of Mine The Gap in 2016, which partners with companies and organizations to create more inclusive workplaces12
• Co-founder and board member of Running Start, an organization that has trained over 25,000 young women to run for elected office12
• Served on UN Women's We Empower G7 Programme and currently serves on Nasdaq's Center for Board Excellence Insights Council12

Achievements and Recognition

• Named to "The New Guard: America's 50 Most Influential Women" by Marie Claire magazine1
• Received "40 Under 40" recognition from the American Association of Political Consultants1
• Awarded Outstanding Alumni by Pepperdine University and the 2022 Magis Award from Georgetown Business School1

Education and Expertise

Jessica has an MBA from Georgetown University and has served as an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown and Pepperdine University.2 She is an expert in gender strategy, leadership development, and board diversity, having co-authored reports on the impact of SB 826, California's legislation requiring women board directors on publicly held companies.1