Celebrated Arts/Community Outreach Leader & Award-Winning Researcher
Jesa Townsend is a servant leader— development and community relations executive. She is a celebrated artist, and a formidable researcher. A 2023 Success Magazine named 50 Women of Influence nominee [March 2024 trailblazer issue] and a L.A. Works Civic Leadership & Impact nominee, her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact through art, education, and community outreach. She has been mentored and employed by top names within the nonprofit space. Grab a snack and buckle up; let's embark on an avenue paved with fun and accomplishments. We’ll focus on the latter.
Jesa has taught all grade levels- 3rd grade to undergraduate as a professor. Two K12 school systems and one vocational. It is her passion for community building and social issues that naturally took her this route as she finished her master’s studies and began contracting with cities to install public works of art. Soon thereafter, Jesa was invited to continuously collaborate with award-winning non-profits, start-ups, and school systems such as The Orange County School of the Arts due to creativity anchored development strategies. She is adept in utilizing philanthropic strategy, social policy, grant securement, and donor relations to effect tangible change.- additional executive certifications pending from The University of Peace (United Nations) and MIT- Leading Organizations for High-Velocity Performance.
Shifting back in years and into an artistic gears, it was in 2012 that Jesa's skill of using a paintbrush to effect change were kindly recognized. Graciously, she received one of eight esteemed 'Hero and Heart' artist honors from the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. Since then, she has partnered with over 32 cause-based organizations, leveraging her artistic skills to amplify their impact; the arts are the most underutilized communicative tool. Through private and public art commissions, she has become a catalyst for change in cities like Tempe, Jasper, Iowa City, Salem, Santa Ana, Henderson, and Los Angeles. She has also held solo exhibitions in the likes of The Conrad Chicago (Hilton Hotel) and The Grand Wilmington opera house.
Educational institutions have also sought her expertise for arts and community outreach initiatives, recognizing her ability to inspire and ignite sustainable transformation. It was due to Jesa’s arts contracting that her Johns Hopkins University master’s thesis was the arts as a vehicle to address issues of social justice as found within perspective communities.
Selected as a government facilitator, The National Center to Reframe Aging [DC]), Jesa has since obtained additional accolades from the likes of The University of Peace, United Nations mandated institution and presented her social policy and intervention research in government forums. She earned two academic fellowships from Johns Hopkins University MLA. Graduating with distinction- 4.0.
And onwards, as a founding board member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Council at Nevada State University and have served for over 11 years, Jesa actively shapes the future of arts and culture, nurturing creativity and artistic expression. Over the past decade, Jesa has collaborated with outstanding organizations like the Anaheim Garden Walk, Manor Hospice, and the National Charity League, leaving an impact with a paintbrush and a bit of luck.
Whether advocating for the importance of art in overcoming adversity or championing funding for arts education within social or operational strategy contexts, Jesa has left her mark on government forums, alongside political leaders, and in symposiums addressing critical issues like climate change. Her recent lightning talk at Johns Hopkins University's Earth Day 50 celebration exemplified her ability to engage and inspire change-makers.
Jesa's farm girl heart beats for her family and holds a deep love for animals. An avid traveler (ask her about Iceland or Cambodia), she seeks out new experiences and cherishes moments filled with laughter. Jesa is driven by an unwavering commitment to serve vulnerable populations through the equitable distribution of resources.
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All artworks shown are original works and subject to copyright: Jesa Townsend, 2019©
Press clippings & fun bits:
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