Jessica Edwards
www.nesta.org.uk/team/jessica-edwards-arts/
www.nesta.org.uk/team/jessica-edwards-arts/
Head of Cultural Development, Arts Practice
Jessica works in Nesta’s Arts practice.
She leads the development of creative innovation projects and partnerships in alignment with the organisation’s three missions, and is part of the organisation's senior leadership team.
She is deeply curious about the change-catalysing properties of culture and storytelling, with expertise bridging the worlds of television, documentary film and non-profits.
Prior to joining Nesta in 2023, she was selected for and undertook a Clore Fellowship in cultural leadership. And before that, she was Director of Impact & Partnerships at the innovative non-profit Doc Society for five and a half years, initiating, growing and leading many of the organisation’s key partnerships and projects. There she helped establish the Climate Story Fund, enabling a terrific slate of over 25 storytelling projects from around the world to maximise their creative and impact potential.
The first 15 years of her career were spent producing & directing documentaries and factual television. She has also worked in strategic communications consulting, leading projects for prominent non-profits and as an impact producer on numerous documentary films. Her practice now integrates this breadth of experience, embracing opportunities to optimise the powers of arts and culture at a systems level.
She is an International Coaching Federation certified coach at ACC level and a qualified Yoga Alliance (200 hours) yoga teacher.
