Jessica Jackley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessica Jackley
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Jackley in 2010
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| Born | October 29, 1977 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bucknell University (B.A. 2000) Stanford Business School (M.B.A.) |
| Occupation | Co-founder & CMO, Kiva.org Co-founder & CEO, ProFounder |
| Spouse(s) |
Matt Flannery
(m. 2003–2008)Reza Aslan
(m. 2011) |
| Children | 3 |
Jessica Jackley, born on October 29, 1977, is an American businesswoman. She helped start two important organizations: Kiva and ProFounder. These groups help people around the world get small loans to start businesses and improve their lives.
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Early Life and Learning
Jessica grew up in a town called Franklin Park, Pennsylvania. She finished high school at North Allegheny Senior High in 1996. She then went to Bucknell University. In 2000, she earned a degree in philosophy and political science. Later, she studied at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. There, she earned a master's degree in business. She also received special certificates in Public and Global Management.
Her Work and Businesses
Jessica Jackley is known for creating ways to help people. She has started and led several important projects.
Starting ProFounder
Jessica was a co-founder and the CEO of a company called ProFounder. This company helped small business owners in the United States. It gave them tools to get money to start their businesses. This was done through something called "crowdfunding." Crowdfunding means many people give small amounts of money to a project.
Creating Kiva Microfunds
Before ProFounder, Jessica helped create Kiva. Kiva was the first website in the world for "p2p microlending." P2p means "person-to-person." Microlending means giving very small loans. Jessica and Matt Flannery started Kiva in October 2005. Kiva helps people in developing countries get small loans. These loans help them start or grow their own businesses.
Teaching and Helping Others
Jessica is also a visiting scholar at Stanford University. She works at their Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society. She has also taught about global entrepreneurship. She taught at the Marshall School of Business at USC.
Jessica is part of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2011, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She also serves on the boards of several groups. These groups support women, microfinance, technology, and the arts. Some of these include Opportunity International and the International Museum of Women.
Jessica has worked in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. She worked with groups like Village Enterprise and Project Baobab. She also spent three years at Stanford's Center for Social Innovation. There, she helped launch the first Global Philanthropy Forum.
Jessica is a mentor for The Girl Effect Accelerator. This program helps new businesses grow in developing countries. It focuses on businesses that can help millions of girls living in poverty.
Personal Life
Jessica Jackley was married to Matt Flannery, who co-founded Kiva with her. She now lives in Los Angeles. Her current husband is Reza Aslan. He is a professor and a best-selling author. They have three sons together. Jessica is a Christian.
