JESSYCA DUDLEY

Jessyca (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Bold Ventures, a strategic advisory firm that supports individuals, families, foundations, and donor communities who are committed to eliminating disparities through relationship, repair, and the redistribution of wealth. Bold Ventures' work to disrupt traditional philanthropy, and to support impactful leaders in advancing racial equity, was born out of our direct experiences and interaction with philanthropy, and a desire to see this sector work differently. 

Bold Ventures has facialited the movement of over 40 million dollars to organizations led by and serving people and communities of color. By building long term relationships with clients and partners, this work has supported a broad range of organizations, including Arnold Ventures, the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, The Robert L. McCormick Foundation, the Goldin Institute, the Chicago Foundation for Women, the Marc & Jeanne Malnati Foundation and many others.

Jessyca’s prior leadership roles include serving as the Executive Director of Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, as a Director at Arabella Advisors where she developed new strategy approaches and advocated for investment in BIPOC communities, and as the Gun Violence Prevention program officer for the Joyce Foundation. Among other cause areas, Jessyca supports leaders in the gun violence prevention and justice reform community with a focus on building of equitable, just, and healthy communities that allow individuals and families to thrive without fear of safety or disease.

Jessyca lives in Chicago and holds a BA in Gender Studies from Skidmore College as well as a Masters of Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago.