Jessica Nyaribo (She/Her) is a public affairs professional with over 20 years of leadership experience directing complex community development programs, championing successful awareness campaigns and communication strategies, and managing public affairs initiatives. Jessica worked for local and international non-profit organizations in Kenya before joining the Department of Environment & Energy, Hennepin County. Jessica enjoys fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials and community leaders to make positive change. Jessica helped lead the Zero Waste Plan that will support Hennepin County to work collaboratively with communities towards a zero-waste future. Jessica holds a bachelor’s in economics(honors) from the Panjab University (India), and a master’s in economics with emphasis in environment economics and urban and regional planning from the University of Mysore (India), and a master’s degree in public affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Jessica enjoys being out in nature and traveling with family and friends.