As a woman with a disability since birth and additional disabilities developing later in life, Jessie Wusthoff has always navigated a world (literally) not built for her and others like her. Growing up in pre-ADA America, she learned early on to fight for her right to proper education, enrichment, and health care. While laws have since evolved, many harmful social norms persist. Jessie’s lived experiences have shaped her ability to navigate systemic barriers, turning constant “no’s” into personal and professional achievements. Through initiating essential conversations and advocating for disability equity, Jessie has become a trusted voice in fostering more inclusive workplaces.

Jessie’s speaking engagements include UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Harvard Business School, CultureAmp’s Culture First Conference, Box, EcoLab, Bill.com, and Collective Health. Her thought leadership is featured in Cynthia Owyoung’s book All Are Welcome, where she contributed a case study on driving cross-functional involvement in DEI efforts. She also provided expert guidance on disability-related content for Dr. Suzanne Wertheim’s book The Inclusive Language Field Guide.

Jessie holds an Advanced Certificate from City University of New York’s Disability Studies Graduate Program, an M.B.A. from UC Davis, and a B.A. from UC Berkeley. Her unique blend of lived experience, academic expertise, and professional insight makes her a powerful advocate and educator in the pursuit of true inclusion.

Check out our media page to learn more about Jessie and her work.