Jess Ducey is the Development and Communications Manager supporting TakeRoot’s communications, stakeholder engagement, foundations, individual giving, and events work. Jess joined TakeRoot in 2022 after spending nine years in Aotearoa New Zealand, where they worked in a variety of community engagement, fundraising, and events roles, including for Wellington City Council’s urban cycleways team, PledgeMe, Internet NZ, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. They co-founded the Aotearoa Tech Union and Queer AF, Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s first queer arts festival, and also served on the boards of Wellington Rape Crisis and Abortion Rights Aotearoa. Jess has a background in international and community development, and previously worked in Jordan, Ethiopia, and the Marshall Islands. They hold bachelor’s degrees in History and Psychology from the University of Florida and an M.Litt in International Security Studies from the University of St Andrews (Scotland), where their dissertation explored the politicization of humanitarian aid funding.
Jess also freelances as an indie theater producer. They co-produce Down to Clown, a monthly space for new work development, are co-chair of the board of National Queer Theater, and have worked with companies including Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre, Clown Gym, Moxie Arts NYC, and Edu Díaz Productions. Outside of work, they enjoy nature, knitting, elaborate dinner parties, public transit, the arts, books, cheese, bikes, and patting other people’s dogs.