Jessica Roberts

Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Instruction Partners

Aug 2019 - Current (7 years 3 months)

Leading finance, operations, fundraising, people, sales, and technology for a national education nonprofit — overseeing 35+ staff across six teams.

Key results:
- Grew organization from $7M to $30M budget and 40 to 165 staff
- Built five-year financial model that generated multi-million dollar cash reserve increase during COVID-19 in 90 days
- Led full organizational restructure during the pandemic with 100% staff retention
- Transitioned accounting systems from QuickBooks to Sage Intacct while simultaneously implementing new expense management infrastructure
- Board liaison for Finance, Audit, & Investment Committees

Independent CFO/COO Consulting Practice

Various

Aug 2019 - Current (7 years 3 months)

Fractional CFO and COO advisory practice serving nonprofits in
growth or turnaround — run concurrently with full-time executive
roles.

Engagements include financial operations, executive coaching for finance and ops leaders, systems implementation, and board communication strategy. Clients range from early-stage organizations building infrastructure to established nonprofits restructuring for sustainability.

Certified Circuit Court Mediator - Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court

Jun 2012 - Current (14 years 5 months)

I have been a Certified Circuit Court Mediator in the state of Florida since 2012 and am listed on the Florida Judicial Circuit Courts. My background allows me to manage high conflict situations by guiding and reasoning participants into achieving a mutually beneficial consensus. Having successfully mediated numerous cases for over seven years, I create a fair, impartial and neutral environment for negotiation, conflict resolution, and settlement. My experience in the real estate, insurance, mortgage and related areas has been an asset in my mediation practice. With problem-solving and negotiating skills I work with clients to reach a non-biased resolution for all parties involved. With extensive communication and leadership experience, I

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Mediator / Arbitrator / President

Ace Mediations

Mar 2012 - Current (14 years 8 months)

Full-time mediator and arbitrator with over 2,000 completed matters across business and commercial disputes, healthcare, real estate, family, and financial services. Certified or qualified in six states: Florida, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Louisiana, and California.

I am a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator, a FINRA Public Arbitrator, and serve on the arbitration rosters of the Florida 12th and 17th Judicial Circuits. I completed AHLA’s Health Care Arbitration Training. I am insured, with no claims filed.

I accommodate both pre-litigation and post-filing matters, with or without legal representation, and offer in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats. I typically respond within 24 hours an

President / Broker

My Real Estate Broker Inc

Jan 2001 - Current (25 years 10 months)

Founded and operated a full-service real estate brokerage for more than two decades, managing residential and commercial transactions from contract through closing. Built and led a productive team, administered budgets and forecasts, and developed business across multiple markets.

The skills that define this practice -- negotiation, contract administration, conflict management, and client communication under pressure -- are the same skills that define effective mediation and arbitration. This experience is the foundation of my ADR practice.

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Executive Director

Luminary Learning Network

Sep 2016 - Aug 2019 (3 years)

Led the first Innovation Zone of Schools in Colorado — a network of schools within Denver Public Schools designed to give school leaders greater autonomy to serve their communities.

- Launched and expanded to three zones in the DPS portfolio
- Negotiated a per-pupil funding model with DPS (+$400/student) that
increased school-level financial independence
- Developed a five-year financial model that made the LLN fully sustainable on public funding
- Raised $750,000+ annually through grants and fundraising
- 75% of zone schools met their three-year academic goals in year one

Managing Director - Finance and Accounting

YES Prep Public Schools

Jan 2016 - Jan 2017 (1 year 1 month)

Led finance for one of Houston's largest charter school networks during a period of significant growth — from $50M to $100M+ in annual budget.

- Managed an 11-person finance team reporting to the CEO
- Delivered four consecutive years of clean audits (organizational, TEA, and US Dept. of Education)
- Reduced monthly close from 20 days to 10
- Reduced a $1.5M pension liability to $50,000 through proactive compliance work
- Oversaw payroll for 1,100 employees

Senior Director

YES Prep Public Schools

Apr 2014 - Jan 2016 (1 year 10 months)

Controller

YES Prep Public Schools

Mar 2012 - Apr 2014 (2 years 2 months)

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Vice President of Finance and Administration

University of Houston Alumni Association

Sep 2011 - May 2012 (9 months)

Oversaw finance, HR, operations, and board governance for a multi-million dollar membership organization serving 30+ constituent groups.

- Led a team of 7 reporting directly to the President & CEO
- Managed P&L for 50+ annual events and a $180,000+ scholarship program
- Achieved clean audit opinions annually

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Director of Business Operations

University of Houston Alumni Association

Jul 2010 - Sep 2011 (1 year 3 months)

Teacher

SPRING BRANCH ISD

Aug 2006 - Jul 2010 (4 years)

Teacher

Houston ISD

Jul 2005 - Aug 2006 (1 year 2 months)

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Jessica Roberts

About

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Behavioral traits