About Me
I was born in the border town of El Paso, Texas and I’m a proud Latina, leader, and first-generation college graduate. Growing up, I may have been poor financially, but I was resource-rich in the connections to love in my family and community. That richness has grounded me in my commitment to authentic, values-driven, and identity-led transformation work.
With almost two decades of professional experience, I have served communities that mirrored the one I grew up in; as a middle school teacher, a principal, a principal manager, and a leadership coach. For the last ten years, I have led, developed, and facilitated educational programs and institutions that centered justice work as it relates to race, class, learning differences, and their intersections with Aspire Public Schools, KIPP, and the National Equity Project. As a school principal and school principal manager, I focused on advocating and designing for our most historically marginalized populations within systems that often (un)intentionally perpetuate inequality.
I believe in a strengths-based leadership model which centers collaboration and embracing positions of power to enact change in inherently oppressive systems. My practice and development is rooted in transformational leadership, which requires changing existing systems.
I know the work of a leader is difficult and often lonely. There is often a tragic gap between the ideal and the reality in communities that are often under resourced. With that said, transformational work is possible. I believe in the importance of providing spaces for leaders to be their authentic and best selves and that we cannot do this work alone.
I want to support company, non-profit, school, and systems leaders to make long-lasting, positive, and equitable impact with their organizations for the communities they serve. I do this by:
Supporting leaders (and their teams) to leverage their strengths
Supporting leaders (and their teams) to create transformational spaces and systems with a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens
Supporting leaders (and their teams) to dismantle existing oppressive spaces and systems that are perpetuating racial inequity
Email me at jess@jchaconconsulting.com to learn more about how to make a long-lasting, positive, and equitable impact. Your first two 50 minute sessions are free!
“They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.” — Mexican proverb
What People Are Saying
“Jess coached me during my first year in a leadership position and helped me identify and lead with my strengths and core values. She asked impactful questions and role-played difficult conversations so that I felt prepared to face challenging situations. Her coaching and expertise helped push my practice and build my self-confidence to lead with a clear vision. I highly recommend working with Jess, whether you are new to a leadership role or want to improve in a specific area. She is authentic, equity-driven, and has a wealth of leadership strengths and expertise.”
— Erin B., Assistant Principal
“Jess facilitated monthly sessions with our principals and assistant principals focused on using liberatory design and other equity frameworks to disrupt racial inequities in our schools. Some of our leaders expanded culturally relevant practices while others revised discipline policies. Jess leads with humility and passion, anchoring in the vision of a more equitable school system. “
— Marie H., Chief of Schools