Jessie Towne-Cardenas is a passionate believer in the power of ideas! As a trainer, facilitator, and curriculum developer, people she has worked with appreciate her ability to break things down and organize them in a way that is easy to understand and practical to apply. Her capacity to look at things from unique angles and apply different strategies is sought after and valued in work groups and strategy sessions. Jessie strives to ensure that everything she does includes current best practices AND practical steps to application. She has spent over 25 years in the nonprofit sector navigating the relationships between nonprofits, government agencies, and communities as they work together to achieve common goals through community and professional training, strategic planning, program development, grant writing, and evaluation. This work has led Jessie to develop skills in relationship building, group facilitation, and navigating difficult conversations in order to bring out the best in teams and organizations. And have a few laughs together along the way!
Jessie started her nonprofit career in Chico, CA working in reproductive healthcare. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from California State University, Chico, Jessie came to San Diego and continued building her expertise in the areas of curriculum development and training, program and organizational design, and leadership and administration. Jessie earned her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at the University of San Diego. Other areas of expertise also include relationship and sexual violence prevention and education particularly through the lens of public health and violence as a justice and equity issue and facilitating group processes for organizational and community change.
Jessie is a mom, wife, sister, and friend finding joy in friends, family, paddleboarding, neighborhood walks, and exploring which houseplants can survive her environment. She is part of the school district’s Affirming Parent/Caregiver Collective and the UC Pride Cluster Committee working to ensure San Diego schools implement the LGBTQIA+ Student Safety and Wellness Resolution and a proud GSA and Rainbow Club mom.
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Jessie has a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from California State University, Chico.
