Please join us in welcoming Jessica Dedert as the new Development Coordinator for the Santiago Partnership!
Learn more about Jessica:
Jessica brings almost two decades of experience in the nonprofit world. Her favorite role was the 7 years she served as director of a local nonprofit organization that benefited low-income students in the public school district. Jessica worked with several groups to create a district-wide weekend food program that served upwards of 1,500 students each week. What made it unique was the number of people who came together for the common goal of loving, nothing more, to better the entire community.
Jessica's heart has always been for missions, volunteering in all seasons of life. She was introduced to the Santiago Partnership in 2018 and quickly fell in love with our mission and desire for self-sustainability. In 2023, she traveled to Ecuador with her daughter as part of a mission team. Meeting the people, learning about the projects first-hand, and worshipping Jesus together felt like finding the missing puzzle piece.
Wanting to be more involved, Jessica joined our Board of Directors in January 2024, serving as secretary. Jessica comments that “being able to work alongside the organization in this new role, to help it grow and advance God's kingdom, for me, is an absolute privilege.”
She lives in Quincy, Illinois, with her husband Chris and their two children, Olivia (18) and Alexander (16). Among all the titles she holds, her favorites are wife and mother. She loves traveling with her family and creating adventures in both big and small things. Some of their favorites include sandcastles on beaches, beautiful views from mountain tops, and the simple laughter on evening walks. Jessica & Chris checked an item off their bucket list by traveling to Italy last fall, and they hope to explore many more in this next season of life.
