Jess is a native of the Chicago area, growing up in St. Charles. She received her BA from Columbia College in Chicago focusing on Acting and Comedy. Jess was ordained a vocational deacon in January of 2013. Currently has served on the Bishop's staff at the Diocese of Chicago as Assistant for Youth Ministry. Jess also has serves on the Deacon Leadership Team at the Diocese as the Discernment member. She is a certified outdoor education teacher and ropes course facilitator. Jess is a founding member of Improv for Change, an improv skills workshop for businesses and non-profits.  In her spare time she enjoys playing guitar, writing sketch comedy, filming movies, home brewing, and loves the Chicago Bears.

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Jess and her wife Rebecca have a Border Collie (Ella) and a "lion" main coon (Tonks). Jess and Rebecca have a daughter named Eliza.

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