Advisor & Educator | Communications & Policy Strategist | LGBTQ Health Expert
Jessica Halem currently serves on the Board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, where she oversees the LGBTQ Healthcare Directory in collaboration with GLMA. She works as a full-time consultant helping clients and teams find sustainable solutions to achieve their goals.
For the past decade, Jessica worked in academic medicine, recently leading a team of LGBTQ health innovators at the University of Pennsylvania and previously serving as the inaugural LGBTQ Director at Harvard Medical School.
As a young leader, she pioneered the first cultural competency trainings for the CDC and ran the Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago. She has also made contributions in public policy — working on the ground in New Orleans and New York City — drawing on her experience with her first boss, former Congresswoman Bella Abzug.
Jessica studied improv at Second City and gained notoriety as a stand-up comic, touring extensively across the United States. She is sometimes still funny.
Jessica holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MBA from Simmons University.
Awards
American Journal of Health Promotion, Best of the Year List, 2023
Health Enhancement Research Organization, President’s Award, 2022
The Advocate, Champions of Pride, 2021
GLMA, Achievement Award, 2019
Harvard Medical School, Student Life Award, 2018
Chicago Comedy Award, 2008
Howard Brown, Community Leader Award, 2006
Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues, Unsung Heroine Award, 2002
Women eNews, 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, 2001
Windy City Times, 30 Under 30, 2001
Press
