Jessica Stephens

Jessica Stephens has extensive experience in business development and leadership across various sectors, particularly in renewable energy and organization management. As the current Director of Business Development at Persistent since March 2023, Jessica previously served as CEO of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association from February 2018 to March 2023, where responsibilities included developing strategic plans, negotiating partnerships, and fostering relationships with international stakeholders. Prior roles include COO and Global Coordinator at AMDA, Policy & Strategic Advisor at E.on Off Grid Solutions, and General Manager at Cambridge Clean Energy Ltd. Jessica's entrepreneurial spirit is evident from co-founding Chocolate Mamas, pioneering bean-to-bar chocolate production in East Africa, and holding consulting roles with organizations such as USAID and PEPFAR. Jessica holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Syracuse University.