Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica M. Storm, MS, serves as an Account Executive specializing in Crisis Management and Employee Assistance Programs at Empathia, Inc. in Waukesha, Wisconsin. With 13 years of experience at Empathia, including eight years in her current role, she has built a multifaceted career supporting organizations and individuals through both everyday challenges and complex crises. Storm began her tenure as an EAP Counselor before advancing into account management and training, where she trained therapists working in crisis call centers and developed expertise in difficult-conversations training. Her current work combines client relationship management with crisis preparedness, response, and organizational support.
Storm’s professional expertise encompasses employee assistance, mental health initiatives, crisis planning, crisis response, and organizational resilience. She works with companies to develop strategies for responding to critical incidents, including active shooter situations, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies. She has also supported major activations for universities and other organizations, helping clients prepare for and navigate the human impact of crises. Storm holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Winona State University. Her diverse responsibilities and the opportunity to move between employee support, client engagement, training, and high-level crisis management have contributed to her long-standing commitment to Empathia.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Storm is deeply committed to community service, advocacy, and supporting others. She volunteers with the American Cancer Society, serves as a Girl Scout leader, and mentors individuals living with stage 4 cancer through the nonprofit ABCD. She also contributes to local community initiatives through Empathia, including efforts supporting families in need. Across her professional and volunteer endeavors, Storm is guided by empathy, resilience, and a strong desire to help people navigate difficult circumstances. Her combination of counseling expertise, crisis-management experience, leadership, and community involvement reflects a career centered on meaningful service and human connection.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to embracing variety, continuous growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Over the past 13 years at Empathia, I have grown from an EAP counselor into account management, training, and ultimately my current role as an Account Executive, where I support organizations with mental health initiatives and crisis-management planning for situations ranging from active shooter incidents to natural disasters. What continues to motivate me is the opportunity to help people and families navigate some of their most difficult moments while also developing practical workplace resources, such as my Chemo Crying in Captain Crunch training, which addresses navigating cancer in the workplace. Having personally lived with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for eight years, I bring both professional expertise and personal perspective to this work, strengthening my commitment to helping organizations and individuals respond to adversity with compassion, preparedness, and resilience.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my mentor, Michelle, who is now my boss. She saw potential in me and thoughtfully restructured a position that gave me the opportunity to join her team in crisis management, changing the trajectory of my career. She has always encouraged me to be my authentic self and has created an environment where I feel supported and valued. Through her mentorship, I also learned the importance of voicing my needs, asking questions without shame, and recognizing that I do not have to navigate difficult situations alone. In high-pressure circumstances, I have learned to trust my expertise while also leaning on others and seeking their perspectives when making important decisions.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my mentor, Michelle, who is now my boss. She recognized potential in me and restructured a position so I could join her team in crisis management, giving me an opportunity that significantly shaped my career. She has encouraged me to remain authentic, trust my abilities, and understand that asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Her mentorship taught me to voice my needs, ask questions without hesitation, and lean on others when making decisions in high-pressure situations. I have carried those lessons throughout my career and believe that being willing to learn, seek perspective, and remain true to yourself can make a lasting difference professionally.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is managing the demands of crisis call centers and large-scale activations, particularly during events such as health emergencies at universities, when we may need to take over phone lines and deploy on-site support quickly and effectively. Balancing these intense workloads with personal health needs, including ongoing cancer treatment, also highlights the importance of flexibility and sustainable scheduling. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities to innovate, particularly through modern training methods and platforms such as TikTok that can engage younger generations. By making training more accessible, practical, and relevant, I can help prepare people to respond confidently and effectively when crises arise.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are positivity, perseverance, compassion, and the desire to inspire others. I believe in sharing my story to encourage and empower other women, particularly through mentoring Stage 4 cancer patients with ABCD, where I focus on providing emotional support, encouragement, and hope rather than simply emphasizing statistics. Persistence has also been essential in my own life, especially in building my family through surrogacy despite the challenges and in maintaining a healthy work-life balance while undergoing treatment. I value speaking life and positivity into others and am grateful for a strong support system of girlfriends who uplift and encourage me. Outside of work, I enjoy dancing, working out, reading, caring for my plants, and spending meaningful time with my two children, family, and friends.
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