Influential Woman · Nonprofit Resilience & Sustainability
Jessica Steelman
Executive Director, Resilient Virginia
Accomac, VA 23301
Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Steelman is the Executive Director of Resilient Virginia, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community resilience and sustainability through collaboration, education, and strategic action. Since assuming the role in 2024, she has led statewide initiatives that strengthen the systems communities rely on, including natural environments, infrastructure, local economies, governance, and community networks. With experience spanning nonprofit leadership, coastal planning, resilience consulting, behavioral health, and program development, Steelman brings a multidisciplinary perspective to helping communities prepare for and adapt to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Prior to leading Resilient Virginia, Steelman served as a Coastal Planner with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission and founded Steelman Coastal Consulting, where she provided resilience and sustainability consulting services. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional, an experience that shaped her community-centered approach to resilience by emphasizing human well-being, equity, and systems thinking. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and completed graduate studies in Social Work at the University of New Hampshire, providing a strong academic foundation for her work in community development and organizational leadership. Steelman specializes in community resilience, sustainability, strategic partnerships, nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and program development. She is a member of the American Society for Adaptation Professionals, the American Sustainable Business Network, and the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. Currently serving in her executive role largely on a volunteer basis while the organization works toward long-term financial sustainability, she remains committed to building stronger, more resilient communities across Virginia. Guided by integrity, collaboration, resilience, and service, Steelman continues to advance practical, systems-level solutions that empower communities to thrive in the face of evolving challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, adaptability, and a genuine passion for helping others. Throughout my career, I have embraced change, remained committed to meaningful work, and trusted that each experience would prepare me for the next opportunity. Staying focused on serving communities and remaining persistent through challenges has allowed me to make a meaningful impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career (and life) advice I've received is that when someone offers help or assistance a second time after you’ve politely declined, allow yourself to accept; and to trust your intuition in all things—check the facts, examine your emotions, and remain open to other perspectives, but do not ignore what your instincts are telling you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to be confident in their voices and never hesitate to share their perspectives. Be respectful but also courageous enough to speak your mind, even when your ideas challenge conventional thinking. Stay true to your values, remain open to constructive feedback, and view every experience as an opportunity to learn. The resilience field needs collaborative leaders who are willing to innovate and create lasting solutions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges is the uncertainty of grant-dependent funding, which can make it difficult for nonprofit organizations to maintain long-term capacity and sustainability. At the same time, I believe there is tremendous opportunity as resilience and sustainability continue to gain recognition across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. We have the opportunity to strengthen cross-sector partnerships, expand climate adaptation initiatives, and learn from successful resilience models implemented around the world to better prepare our communities for the future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, transparency, resilience, adaptability, and service to others are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I believe in empowering communities, fostering collaboration, and approaching challenges with optimism and a commitment to creating practical, long-term solutions.
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