Jessica Taylor serves as Co-Managing Director – North Chicago at the Steans Family Foundation. In this capacity, she co-leads the Foundation’s place-based investments in North Chicago, including initiatives focused on early childhood, K–12 education, postsecondary pathways, and out-of-school time. Working in close partnership with her co-managing director, Jessica helps set strategic direction, oversee portfolio implementation, and strengthen alignment across education, workforce, and community partners to support equitable outcomes for students and families.
Jessica brings a relationship-centered approach to leadership, grounded in trust, collaboration, and a deep understanding of how systems interact in students’ lives. She has worked closely with partners to design practical, student-informed solutions, aligning programs and resources in ways that reflect local context and community priorities. Drawing on extensive experience supporting students through key transitions, her leadership emphasizes clarity, coordination, and sustained support across pathways.
Prior to joining the Steans Family Foundation, Jessica held leadership and advising roles across K–12, postsecondary, and higher education settings, including serving as Director of Alumni Affairs and Post-Secondary Counselor at North Lawndale College Prep High School. Her earlier experience includes work in college admissions and student support at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Jessica earned a B.S. in Speech Pathology and a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.