Jessica Leinwand
Jessica Leinwand is an accomplished legal professional currently serving as General Counsel for UNICEF USA, where she provides strategic legal guidance to support the organization’s mission of protecting children's rights and welfare around the globe. With over a decade of experience spanning the nonprofit, government, and private sectors, Jessica has held influential legal roles including Director of Strategic Counsel at Facebook and Deputy Associate Counsel at the White House during the Obama administration.
Jessica’s career reflects a strong commitment to public service, international policy, and ethical leadership. She holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College. At UNICEF USA, she continues to leverage her legal expertise to navigate complex regulatory environments, ensure compliance, and advance global humanitarian efforts that impact millions of lives.
• Columbia Law School- J.D.
• Dartmouth College- Bachelor's
• ADA
• Next generation board of Holocaust
• Holocaust Museum
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a clear sense of purpose and a lifelong commitment to using the law to protect the most vulnerable—an outlook shaped by my grandparents’ experiences as Holocaust survivors. From serving in the Obama administration to building UNICEF USA’s first in-house legal and compliance team, I’ve followed a path guided by both passion and public service, always striving to create meaningful impact through the law.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a former White House counsel: make yourself indispensable—no matter the task, show that you're essential to any team or organization. That advice continues to guide me, especially as I take on a new role this year as an adjunct professor at American University, helping future leaders navigate compliance with diversity and humanitarian goals.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the legal and public service field is to lead with kindness, stay curious, commit fully to your work, and always hold fast to your ethics—even when others question your judgment, staying true to who you are is your greatest strength.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector right now is navigating a critical moment of rising global humanitarian needs amid declining donations and widespread funding cuts.