JESSIE TORRISI

Communications & messaging strategist. Strong writer with a background in journalism. Specializes in narrative and how to use storytelling and pop culture to drive movements for change.

Natural leader & project manager with 20 years of experience working with social justice and human rights groups. Responsible for creating websites, digital content, reports, presentations, and donor proposals, as well as setting and executing strategy for fundraising, communications, and advocacy campaigns.

Published in

• Earthjustice, Donor Communications Writer, 2021-01-01, present, Creates 2-pagers, grant proposals, reports, and pitch decks to leverage millions of dollars for climate justice & clean energy campaigns., Writes spreads of environmental wins and organizational impact for quarterly magazine., Helps establish branding and guidelines to distinguish c4 from c3 work and abide by legal regulations around fundraising and advocacy.
• Color of Change, Research, Narrative, & Comms Strategist, 2018-01-01, 2023-01-01, Creates messaging and framing to elevate racial justice issues and drive narrative change., Leads and creates trainings for staff around best practices in dealing with media., Develops core messages on pressing issues from affirmative action to police violence., Wrote content for #ChangeHollywood, #ChangeMusic, COC Hollywood websites., Wrote anti-racist reporting guide, reports, op-eds and speeches on criminal justice reform., Works to build power for Black creatives, institute racially just practices in arts & entertainment, and ensure authentic representations of Black people in film, TV, and music.
• Youth Engagement Fund, Content Creator & Proposal Writer, 2021-01-01, 2023-01-01, Led new major grant proposals to frame election year work for $1M+ donors., Directed comms strategy for conferences and donor events to leverage support for youth of color-led political organizing in the South and Southwest. Launched YEF's social media., Wrote reports, op-eds, and presentations on the role of youth organizing in recent elections., Produced videos that tell the story of movement-building work in GA, AZ, TX, LA.
• Asia Catalyst, Fundraising & Communications Manager, 2018-01-01, 2021-01-01, Organized fundraising events on feminism, LGBT rights, authoritarianism, COVID-19, and the HIV response across Asia. Produced magazine-style annual report., Built social media strategy and donor engagement strategies. Regularly created content and stories of grassroots activists to share on Facebook, Twitter, and through e-blasts.
• Cut50, Interim Development Director, 2017-01-01, 2018-01-01, Crafted fundraising pitches for campaigns to end mass incarceration and humanize those caught in the justice system., Built foundation pipeline geared at raising $1.5M., Wrote op-eds and press statements for Executive Director and Co-founder Van Jones., Produced media content for campaigns and managed partnerships with influencers.
• Human Rights Watch, Development Staff Writer, 2014-01-01, 2017-01-01, Wrote grant proposals & reports on ending human rights abuses worldwide., Developed pitches for new work on immigration, LGBT equality, and disability rights.
• The Marshall Project, Senior Communications & Development Consultant, 2016-01-01, 2016-12-31, Created organization's first annual report on reporting on the criminal justice system., Worked with executive staff on how to conceive of and track the organization's impact.
• ACLU of Lousiana & Texas, Public Education & Online Strategist, 2010-01-01, 2012-01-01, Led a rebranding campaign to improve the ACLU of Louisiana's image by emphasizing the stories of the people they help and the community values they stand for., Created websites on censorship, government watchdogs, and the school-to-prison pipeline.
• American Civil Liberties Union, Grants Manager, 2002-01-01, 2005-01-01, Strategized messaging & wrote PR materials for civil rights campaigns., Raised between $750,000 and $1 million annually, helping programs double their budget.
• Austin Community College, Journalism Professor, Austin, TX, 2010-01-01, 2016-12-31, Led courses on mass media, news reporting, and how technology is changing the game., Held ethics and critical issues discussion groups on breaking news.
• WNYC, National Public Radio, Freelance Producer, New York, NY, 2005-01-01, 2008-01-01, Soundcheck (music): Produced ideas segments; Prepared bands for studio appearances., Radiolab (science & psychology): Developed story idea about children born with HIV., Leonard Lopate Show (current events): Researched guests, wrote scripts for segments, and prepped host for interviews with artists, authors & world leaders.
• Freelance Journalist, New York, NY, Wrote arts, culture, & lifestyle articles for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Poz Magazine, and Theme., Blogger for Change.org on social justice issues generally overlooked by the media.