Jessica Worthington

Jessica Worthington has a diverse work experience in the field of downtown development and historic preservation. Jessica began their career as a School Programs Assistant at the High Museum of Art in 2007. From there, they joined the City of Carrollton as the Main Street Director, where they played a vital role in the revitalization of downtown districts. In 2013, they transitioned to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, initially serving as a Communications and Training Coordinator before being promoted to Director of the Office of Downtown Development and Georgia Main Streets. In this role, they collaborated with local practitioners, elected officials, and volunteers to revitalize commercial historic districts, resulting in an annual investment impact of over 1 billion dollars.

Jessica Worthington, EDFP, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the University of West Georgia, which they completed from 2004 to 2007. Jessica is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management from Tulane University, expected to be completed between 2021 and 2024. In addition to their academic qualifications, they have obtained several certifications, including the Economic Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council in 2018, the Economic Development Finance Professional certification in 2017, and the Georgia Downtown Development Professional, Level 1 from the Georgia Downtown Association in 2014. Jessica has also completed various LinkedIn certifications related to leadership, strategic planning, emotional intelligence, coaching skills, and diversity and inclusion in marketing.