Jessica Leon
Why I am dedicated to the Latinx MBA Association
As a daughter of Mexican farmworkers from a rural town in Idaho, I found it difficult to see myself in any kind of leadership or professional position. Thankfully through grit, perseverance, and the opportunity I had to build a network I have successfully progressed in my career and accomplished my own unimaginable goals. I realize that our potential should not be hindered by our zipcodes. Now more than ever, as the Latinx community and our purchasing power grows business leaders need to ensure our entire community is reaping the economic benefits by providing them with the tools and resources to do so.
Professional Biography
Jessica is a Venture Partner at Base Ventures, a pioneering seed-stage venture firm in Silicon Valley. Base differentiates itself through its robust network of investors and entrepreneurs in technology, entertainment, sports, and politics. Notable investments by Base include 6Sense, Angelist, and Genesis. She is driven by her passion for creating access for underinvested communities through venture capital and ensuring founders have the necessary mental health resources for success.
With a strong background in venture capital and financial services, Jessica has worked extensively with prominent firms like New Market Venture Partners, Kapor Capital, and LunaCap Ventures. Her expertise encompasses diverse areas such as early-stage and late-stage investing, debt structuring/sourcing, fundraising, limited partner relationship management, marketing, and company diligence. She has also played influential roles at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, facilitating investments within underserved communities and leading Environment and Social Governance initiatives, respectively.
Committed to reducing the opportunity gap in education and careers, Jessica co-founded and serves on the board of Latinx MBA. This organization empowers Latinx business leaders and drives positive economic change within the U.S. Latinx community. Her dedication and impact have been recognized through accolades such as the Latino 30 under 30 award.
Jessica holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance and Operations Management from the University of Idaho, and she earned a Master's of Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master's of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Additionally, she has participated in prestigious programs including Impact Capital Managers Mosaic, Toigo, LunaCap, MLT PD, and SEO.