Jessie Casey
Director of Innovation
Jessie is the Director of Innovation for the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. Her work is rooted in building meaningful connections that drive innovation, investment and economic opportunity. She oversees all programming related to ISTC’s support of startups, incubators, accelerators, venture firms, corporate innovation, and so much more across the state of Illinois.
Excited by innovation and disruption and motivated by economic and social impact, Jessie brings a unique perspective from her breadth of experience in the tech sector and beyond. From mentoring both startups and Fortune 500 companies on digital strategy at Google to creating and scaling a global partner program at BigCommerce, Jessie has a proven track record of success across strategic partnerships, program building, and sales both in the US and abroad.
She cares deeply about equity and strives to create an inclusive environment where all voices are valued. While serving as a DEI lead at Google, Jessie was able to expand and adapt US DEI training programs for the company’s European markets. She spent 2022 continuing her education as a Social Impact Fellow with Notley and as a Data and Policy Summer Scholar at the University of Chicago, where she now serves as a Harris Credential Ambassador.
Jessie holds a BS in Business Economics and BA in Marketing from the University of Arkansas where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Walton Honors College. She is a Kansas City native but now calls the West Side of Chicago home with her husband Jack and Golden Retriever Sugar.
