Meet our new Executive Director! Jesa Townsend brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for educational equity and empowerment. She has collectively raised over seven figures to date, working for various nonprofit and educational institutions. Further, she has managed teams of 131 indirect and 28 direct reports, establishing herself as a community builder and servant leader.
An award-winning researcher and former K12 educator, Jesa excels in fund development initiatives within the nonprofit sector, educational programs, and community relations. She is also an active mentor, committed to paying it forward, and sits on multiple boards.
Jesa’s accolades include being a Success Magazine 50 Women of Influence Nominee in 2023, featured in the top trailblazers issue in 2024, and an L.A. Works Civic Leadership & Impact Awards Nominee in 2023. She has been awarded accolades by the likes of University of Peace (UN), MIT, and Johns Hopkins University where she received two MLA Fellowships .
With her visionary leadership, we are confident that Change the Cycle will continue to grow and thrive, making a profound difference in the lives of underrepresented and underserved girls and young women worldwide.