Nov 2022 – Jul 2025 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Saratoga Springs, New York, United States · Remote

• 💥Reduced turnover by 500% by creating new systems, focusing on the candidate experience and getting candidates to YES.
• Trained hiring managers in best practices for hiring
• Prioritized finding candidates from diverse backgrounds with non-traditional backgrounds
• Consistently hired 1-6 people for hard to fill roles in 3-6 weeks, after vacant positions for 12+ months
• Increased qualified applications by 860% through thoughtful marketing strategies
• Managed internal and external people operations, talent acquisition, recruitment, HR consulting, and onboarding for business consulting agency

Nov 2021 – Jun 2024 · 2 yrs 7 mos · United States · Hybrid

• 🌀Revitalized and chaired the Program Committee, rewriting its charter and leading targeted recruitment efforts
• 🌀Rebuilt the committee from inactivity (18+ months without meetings) to a robust, active body with 10+ engaged members—the largest subcommittee in the organization
• 🌀Directed project management for multi-phase outreach and data evaluation initiatives, ensuring timely execution and cross-functional coordination
• 🌀Provided mentorship and strategic support to program staff, fostering professional development and alignment with committee goals

Mar 2021 – Present · 5 yrs · Remote

• Riverwalker Talent is a boutique consultancy that helps nonprofits, NGOs, educational institutions, and mission-driven businesses build strong, sustainable teams. We specialize in full-cycle recruiting, fractional HR support, and talent development, working alongside organizations to not only find talent but also nurture and strengthen teams and leaders for long-term impact.
• Riverwalker Talent grew out of Jessye Kass Consulting, which I launched unofficially in 2015 and went full-time in 2021. In 2023, during our second year of full-time consulting, I committed to focusing primarily on recruiting, and the work quickly took off.
• Hundreds of hires later, that solo practice evolved into Riverwalker Talent, a collaborative firm built with team members and trusted partners who share a commitment to equity, empathy, and people-centered practices.
• Today, Riverwalker Talent blends creative sourcing, equitable hiring strategies, and deep organizational insight to help mission-driven leaders find the people they need, while supporting and nurturing those individuals so they can thrive while helping your organization achieve its impact.
• We are 5 years in business with a recent rebrand.

Mar 2021 – Sep 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

• 🏢 Strategic Communications Restructuring and Executive Collaboration
• 🔄 Departmental Restructuring:
• Revamped the communications department through strategic initiatives, including hiring, onboarding, and supervising a new staff member. Successfully trained them to seamlessly take over departmental responsibilities.
• 📈 Achievements:
• 📣 Social Media Growth: Elevated the organization's social media presence, achieving a notable 20% increase in followers through targeted strategies.
• 📊 Annual Reports: Designed and produced impactful annual reports, showcasing organizational achievements and milestones.
• 📝 Communications Strategy: Developed a comprehensive communications strategy plan, aligning messaging and outreach for enhanced organizational visibility.
• 🤝 Executive Collaboration:
• Worked closely with the executive director, providing valuable coaching support to streamline communication strategies and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• 🌟 Result-Driven Leadership:
• My initiatives in communications restructuring and collaboration with the executive director reflect a commitment to achieving tangible results and fostering organizational growth.

Jul 2019 – Nov 2020 · 1 yr 4 mos · Cambridge, Massachusetts

• 🏡 Dynamic Leadership in Community Outreach and Operations
• 🔍 Role Overview:
• As the executive leader, I directed the operations, programming, staffing, and administration of a drop-in day center serving structurally oppressed populations. Responsibilities included strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.
• 📈 Achievements:
• 📊 Revenue Surge: Boosted annual revenue by an impressive 51% in two years, creating an additional full-time staff position through new funders, grants, and diversified income streams.
• 🤝 Team Leadership: Oversaw staff and recruited, interviewed, and trained 70+ direct service interns and volunteers per semester (300+ total). Implemented new onboarding and hiring procedures for increased efficiency.
• 🤲 Volunteer Engagement: Achieved a remarkable 78% increase in volunteer retention (>12 months) through collaborative approaches and community-building initiatives.
• 🌐 Strategic Partnerships: Established 8 new partnerships with funders and 16 with agencies, actively networking with executive leaders to expand the center's reach.
• 🤝 Committee Leadership: Introduced and facilitated new committees, including Data, Outreach, and COVID Advisory. Re-established and co-led the Fundraising and Strategic Planning Committees.
• 🔄 System Revitalization: Redesigned and developed new systems, including a revamped website, standardized policies, updated mission statement, donor management software, and innovative data collection methods. Implemented a low-threshold COVID program with outdoor services for unhoused members.
• 🌐 Expertise: Provided subject matter expertise on homelessness, housing, benefits, food insecurity, domestic violence, health insurance, financial well-being, legal aid referrals, and trauma support.
• 🌈 Impactful Change:
• Significantly transformed the center, in collaboration with many, and increased operational efficiency and ensured a more profound impact on the lives of those we served.

Jun 2018 – Jun 2019 · 1 yr · Cambridge, Massachusetts

• Managed daily operations: volunteer schedule for 6 days/55-hours, drop-in & helpline program, house purchases, de-escalation, support for volunteers and members, and programs outreach
• Evaluated programs and systems, recommended and implemented changes to increase productivity and effectiveness
• Recruited, interviewed, trained, scheduled and supervised over 100 volunteers & interns yearly, over 60+ weekly
• Provided orientation training to all volunteers; created new 7-hour curriculum for training program
• Supervised part-time Volunteer Manager & provided supervision to 40+ volunteers weekly & monthly
• Provided on-going training based on need and interest; facilitate meetings and trainings
• Developed culturally competent trainings to ensure volunteers/interns created a safe space for all women to feel welcome
• Targeted areas of need for additional programming, created new programming and developed new ideas
• Managed all house supplies, equipment, maintenance and cleaning
• Attended events and spoke on behalf of the Center

Jul 2016 – Oct 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos

• ~Managed affordable housing program for chronically unhoused HIV+ individuals and youth with mental health disabilities entering supportive housing
• ~Supervised a team of four housing and crisis support case managers; supported caseloads, provided feedback, strategy, and crisis intervention
• ~Created and managed state and federal grant reports; kept databases up to date
• ~Provided staff training to improve crisis intervention, case management, and interpersonal skills; created unique onboarding materials for three positions

Feb 2015 – Jul 2016 · 1 yr 5 mos

• Provided intensive office and home-based case management for up to 50 HIV-positive clients; improved 80% of client outcomes and stabilized high majority of clients
• Facilitated access to internal and external resources; including housing, medical, financial, mental health, substance abuse, sexual health, legal, employment and educational services
• Advocated for client’s needs to others and increase linkages and connections to care with providers
• Trained new advocates and developed manuals for onboarding 3 staff positions
• Developed new program for Family support groups for clients and loved ones
• Invited to presented at OneLove Conference for HIV+ Youth
• Served as member of the Policy Committee

Apr 2015 – Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Cambridge, MA

• Coordinated and met general needs of Executive Producer for publicizing project
• Created and maintained new website: www.veteranchildren.com
• Ran social media pages, edited databases and requested transcripts
• Promoted productive conversations about bridging the civilian-military divide

Mar 2015 – Sep 2025 · 10 yrs 6 mos · Remote

• For ten years, I ran my own consultancy (first as a side hustle and then full-time) dedicated to strengthening mission-driven organizations through equity-centered talent acquisition, HR consulting, and leadership development coaching. I partnered with more than 45 nonprofits, NGOs, and community-based organizations to recruit for critical roles, design people-centered systems, and guide leaders through transitions.
• This chapter included full-cycle recruiting, organizational development, conflict resolution, and over 3,000 hours of leadership and career coaching. It was the foundation for what is now Riverwalker Talent—a values-driven practice rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to building healthier, stronger workplaces.

Sep 2013 – Oct 2014 · 1 yr 1 mo · Chiang Mai

• Taught English classes to grades 7-12 with self-created curriculum
• Tutored Thai teachers and University students in spare time
• Served as cultural ambassador for cross-cultural learning
• Facilitated after school activities

Nov 2010 – Aug 2013 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Accra, Ghana

• Co-founded & managed non-profit organization providing free therapeutic art programs
• Supervised two full-time staff; recruited and managed 10 interns/volunteers
• Created program design, implementation and evaluation
• Ran annual budget of 25K for organization and wrote grant proposals
• Developed and taught creative arts lesson plans to participants ages 2-18
• Website design and maintenance