JESS BARNES

A visionary event consultant with more than 13 years of experience designing and executing large-scale conferences, trainings, and social events across industries. Her background spans hospitality, corporate sales, higher education, technology, and nonprofit management, enabling her to view events not just as gatherings but as strategic experiences that advance organizational goals.

She has directed high-profile programs, including a portfolio of 20+ annual events and an international conference at Boston College. At Vote Run Lead/Action, she guided a major technology transition from Google and Slack to Microsoft while producing both virtual and in-person trainings—most notably the organization’s inaugural national multi-day conference, which brought together women and gender-expansive leaders from across the country.

With expertise in process design and event technology, she integrates tools such as Cvent, Asana, Splash, and Microsoft Suite to streamline operations and deliver measurable impact. Her approach blends empathetic leadership with agile project management, ensuring that every detail—from vendor logistics to participant engagement—is managed with precision.

Her work has taken her to cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans, where she has delivered experiences ranging from intimate retreats to multi-day conferences with complex breakout schedules, keynote speakers, and cultural elements such as second-line parades. She is known for balancing operational rigor with creativity, building systems that reduce friction while leaving space for memorable, human-centered moments.

A graduate of Boston College (M.S. in Leadership & Administration) and Delaware State University (B.S. in Hospitality & Tourism Management), and a former NCAA Division I volleyball athlete, she brings the discipline of an athlete, the warmth of her New Orleans roots, and the innovation of a future-focused consultant. Currently based in Florida, she is exploring AI-driven tools to transform how organizations design and deliver events.

Black and white portrait of a young woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a denim jacket and a sweater with a geometric pattern.