Jessica Black Ipek, Compassionate Advocate and Glass-Ceiling Breaker
Jessica Black Ipek thrives at the intersection of leadership and service, transforming challenges into opportunities to excel. Early in her career as a tech consultant at IBM, Jessica met Bridgett, a 16-year-old fighting cancer. Their friendship ignited Jessica’s passion for giving back, leading to the creation of a scholarship in Bridgett’s name and inspiring her ongoing advocacy for children and community. Guided by grace and grit, Jessica remains dedicated to creating meaningful change—one connection, conversation and act of kindness at a time.
What piece of wisdom would you give to others?
Stay on the path for your best self. Don’t follow what others want for you. Dig deep and follow your own goals and passions. Live each day with a purpose, and go out and pursue your dreams. Work as much as you can to get outside of yourself and your own world to invest and help others. That community and circle that you work to build will serve you well later in life.
What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
Two experiences are equally top of mind for me. One would be putting myself through college. I was the first person on either side of my family to attend and graduate from a four-year university. Secondly, I was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) in 2012 because of my community service work, joining the ranks of other TOYA honorees such as Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Dick Cheney, Gale Sayers and Elvis Presley. Standing on the same stage as Tulsi Gabbard and Condoleezza Rice was a true honor.
Tell us more about your favorite ways to give back.
I am so honored to work with some of the best nonprofits here in Atlanta, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Bert’s Big Adventure, Inspiredu and Enduring Hearts. Whether it’s making hospital visits to kids in need of a smile or special surprise, being the chair of a gala to raise important funding, dressing up like Cinderella for Bert’s Big Adventure events or organizing volunteers for a 5K run, I love to be involved in all aspects of philanthropy. Dollars are very impactful and important, but even more important are hands. Show up and show others you truly care by volunteering and donating your time.
What is your favorite book and why?
Recently my favorite book is “Suffer Strong” by local Atlanta authors Katherine and Jay Wolf. How to survive anything, by redefining everything. Katherine is a stroke survivor who leverages her redemptive story to encourage those with broken hearts, bodies or minds. After losing our son earlier this year, I really needed to hear Katherine’s words of survival and wisdom.
