Jessica Chait currently serves as Chief Impact Officer for Ronald S. Lauder, advising on high-level philanthropic and strategic initiatives.
Previously, Jessica served as Managing Director of Food Programs and Policy at the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, where she transformed the organization’s food initiatives into the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Under her leadership, the program scaled dramatically, serving over 200,000 clients per month, expanding warehouse capacity, and launching pioneering initiatives such as a mobile pantry, online ordering system, and home delivery service. Her work not only strengthened direct service operations but also elevated the visibility of kosher and halal food insecurity among policymakers nationwide.
Jessica spent a decade at UJA-Federation of New York, culminating as Chief of Staff, where she directed strategic planning, public relations, and high-profile initiatives, including UJA’s Centennial Campaign. At UJA, she helped secure millions in funding for capital projects and Holocaust survivor programs and guided grantmaking strategies to support vulnerable populations in New York and Israel.
Beyond her professional work, Jessica is deeply engaged in civic leadership. She serves as Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4, representing Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen, where she leads community engagement efforts on major development and land use projects. She also sits on multiple advisory boards and is a graduate of the Columbia Business School Tamer Center for Social Enterprise’s Institute for Jewish Leadership.
Jessica holds a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She has lived and worked in Poland and Zambia, traveled to more than 70 countries, and is an avid eater, tennis player, and devoted Spurs fan. She resides in Manhattan with her husband.
