Ms. Jessica Hart is a nonprofit management professional with more than eighteen years of experience leading finance, operations, and strategic communications at the American-German Institute, where she currently serves as Director of Finance and Operations. She is a key advisor to the President and guides organizational strategy, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
Jessica oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, audits, and regulatory compliance, while managing a $2 million annual budget. She partners closely with the President and the Board of Trustees to align financial planning with institutional goals and drive effective fundraising strategies. Jessica also leads organizational operations, including human resources, internal systems, and cross-departmental coordination, ensuring efficiency and accountability across the Institute.
Prior to her current position, Jessica led communications at AGI, where she developed and implemented the organization’s first comprehensive content strategy. She oversaw publications, media relations, and digital engagement, including launching a successful podcast and executing major branding and website initiatives. She has held roles spanning editorial leadership, financial management, and program coordination, producing policy publications and managing international conferences across the United States and Europe.
Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which included a year of study in Berlin. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Political Science and International Studies from The Ohio State University. She is proficient in German and brings a strong background in transatlantic relations to her work.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Jessica is an active community leader, serving on the Executive Committee of Families for Safe Streets and the Steering Committee of DC Families for Safe Streets.
__
The Next Generation: Remapping the German-American Relationship
Policy Report 63 This year’s Symposium is framed around the idea of “A New Transatlantic Generation.” We know that German-American relations have long been shaped by the personal connections that …
Germans Continue to Lead in the Response to the Migration Crisis
As reported by The Washington Post, Germans, “to a far greater extent than the British, the French or others, have opened their hearts — and wallets. According to a poll commissioned …
EU Calls on Member States to Accept Refugees
In today’s State of the European Union speech, European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker called on the EU’s member states to accept the migrants crossing into Europe and detailing a plan …
Shadows of History in Europe’s Refugee Crisis
As the refugee crisis continues, mixed reactions are cause for concern in Germany. Given the country’s troubled past, anti-Islam and anti-migrant sentiment in the country is particularly troubling. Daniela Blei …
Immigration in Crisis, On Both Sides of the Atlantic
As waves of refugees continue to enter Europe, they are being greeted with various reactions by EU member states. Many migrants are headed for Germany, perceived by many as the …
Nuclear Energy in the U.S. and Germany: Weighing the Risks
Issue Brief 42 Energy and climate policy in the U.S. and in Germany seem to be miles apart. In 2011, Germany decided to phase-out nuclear, whereas in early 2012 the …
Primaries and Caucuses in the U.S. Presidential Election
Before American voters take to the polls on November 6, they will first narrow the field of candidates in a series of primaries, caucuses, and elections held in each of …
Transatlantic Relations After the Lisbon Treaty: Ready for Action, or More Process?
Issue Brief 37 In Issue Brief 37, “Transatlantic Relations After the Lisbon Treaty: Ready for Action, or More Process?” AGI Research Program/ Publications Coordinator Jessica Riester considers the European Union’s …
Waiting for September: German-American Relations Between Elections
Issue Brief 30 As Germany approaches its September federal election, how will this election shape German-American relations in the coming months? In Issue Brief 30, Jessica Riester, Research Program/ Publications …
