Jess Nizar - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact InvestingFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

As REDF’s senior manager, Office of the President, Jess serves as liaison to the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Senior Leadership teams. She organizes and coordinates external relations for the CEO and CPO and supports the executive team’s ability to drive strategy and align REDF’s operations.

Jess joins REDF with a passion to support employment social enterprises’ growth and increase their ability to provide quality jobs for people overcoming employment barriers. Previously, Jess served as co-director and chef of Skid Row Coffee, building out the first community café and social enterprise in DTLA to employ Skid Row residents. She has over 13 years of combined experience as a grassroots community organizer working on policy change in NYC, in the culinary industry as a chef, and in urban farming.

Jess received a B.A. in critical theory and social justice with a minor in Spanish from Occidental College. Jess loves cooking, farming, and finding ways to make fresh, local food affordable and accessible to Angelenos.