Jessica

Mensah - Da Rosa

A Living Portfolio of Work, Life, Community & Purpose

My ‘Second Act’

After spending over 15+ years leading HR teams at global Fortune 500 organizations, I’m now stepping into what I’m calling my ‘Second Act.’

I recently read a Medium blog post that captured my motivation beautifully - “Burnout comes from a gap between what you do and what you believe in”.  The post then goes on to say that burnout often begins when motion replaces meaning, and I had lost sight of what the meaning was for myself. I had forgotten that I came from a family of small business entrepreneurs, immigrants, parents who modeled scrappiness, determination, and resilience in everything they did. I had forgotten that I had started my own jewelry business – Jmenz Jewlz - when I was 15, hiring my friends and selling jewelry in the basement of my parents’ home with business cards I made on Microsoft Access. I had forgotten about my initial dream of being a pediatrician because I loved children and, more importantly, wanted to dedicate my life to service and helping others.

A career in HR allowed me to do that by architecting positive, productive, and equitable workplaces that fostered human creativity, innovation & empathy. When I felt my purpose falling out of sync with my work, I knew it was time to step away. There was no fear on what lied on the other side of the uncertainty. All I could see where possibilities.

I invite you to come along on this Second Act, where I’m tapping into my entrepreneurial wiring, passion for authentic connection & dialogue, and life’s work in creating more people-first organizations.

Certified in CPR

Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AEDRed Cross.
American Red Cross,
May 2025

Married To My Best Friend

Married the love of my life, Jeremy
Instagram: Follow us!
August 10, 2024

Magazine Features

Munaluchi Bride - June 2025
Oregon wedding day feature - Coming Soon

My Work

I'm a strategic, human-centered HR and organizational leader with 15+ years of global experience across Fortune 100 companies. My work lives at the intersection of strategic HR business partnership, executive coaching & consulting and enterprise org transformation.

Whether leading large-scale transformations or building inclusive talent strategies, I translate business strategy, uncertainty and complexity into actionable, people-first, future-ready solutions rooted in clarity, accountability, purpose and care.

I received my bachelors from Purdue University (Lafayette, IN) with a concentration in Strategic Business Management. I have a Master’s in Learning & Organizational Change Management (I/O Psychology) from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) which underpins my approach to organization design and development through a people science and behavioral economics lens.

I’ve lived, worked and operated across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, bringing cultural fluency, empathy, insight, and systems-level thinking to everything I do.

Experience That Drives Impact

  • Nike, Inc.

    Senior Director, Business HR – Global Technology | Core Technology Functions
    Oct 2022 – Mar 2025 • Portland, OR (Hybrid)

    As one of two Senior Director HRBPs reporting to the VP of HR for Nike Global Technology, I led the HR strategy for Nike’s 1,500+ person Core Tech Functions. I directly supported the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and managed a high-performing team of six HR leaders across key technical domains including Data & AI, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Architecture, Developer Platforms, and Technical Operations.

    I was responsible for architecting and driving a business-aligned people strategy that leveraged data, organizational insight, and deep executive partnership to build capability, elevate leadership, and deliver scaled enterprise transformation.

    Nike, Inc.

    Director, Business HR – Strategic Enterprise Capabilities | Digital Transformation
    Feb 2021 – Oct 2022 • Fort Myers, FL

    Led the end-to-end talent and organizational transformation of Nike’s enterprise digital program. Designed and implemented a multi-year people-first strategy that redefined operating models, built future-ready capabilities, and scaled workforce planning through technology.

    My work included creating deployment and resource management functions, driving program-wide cultural engagement, and enabling post-program placement success for talent. This role required close cross-functional collaboration and hands-on execution across a globally distributed HR and business leadership network.

  • Associate Director, HR – Global Technology Sales (LE / AMSE)
    Mar 2018 – Jan 2021 • Fort Myers, FL

    Served as the strategic HR Business Partner for Gartner’s Global Technology Sales – Midsized Enterprise division, supporting approximately 500 associates across North America. Delivered end-to-end HR strategy for VP+ leaders with a focus on organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, workforce design, and change leadership.

    Led and managed a team of 3 HR Business Partners and was a key driver in scaling HR solutions for high-growth sales functions.

    Championed the redesign of the global Sales Internal Mobility process, streamlining cross-team transfers, reducing recruitment costs, improving internal hiring efficiency, and saving the organization over 550 hours annually. Leveraged a data-informed approach to surface talent bottlenecks, architect scalable solutions, and enhance the overall internal talent experience.

  • Global HR Business Partner – Global Consumer Insights & Innovation, BPO, PMO & Global Quality
    Jan 2012 – Oct 2014 • Tampa, FL

    Served as the strategic HR Business Partner for Nielsen’s Global Operations group, supporting a globally dispersed team of over 900 associates across 30+ countries. Advised senior leaders including VPs of Consumer Research, Global Solutions, and Business Process Improvement on transformation efforts, performance strategy, and change leadership.

    Drove business alignment and stabilization post-restructure by delivering talent strategies focused on scaling leadership capability, embedding performance management discipline, and supporting culture evolution across continents.

    Consultant, Organizational Development
    Aug 2011 – Jan 2012 • Mumbai, India

    Partnered with Nielsen India to execute high-priority initiatives under the NorthPoint strategy. Co-led the development of a national Work From Home program and facilitated the India Leadership Forum, contributing to innovation in workplace flexibility and talent engagement across the region.

    Client Service Associate – NBC/Comcast Universal R&D Team
    Mar 2011 – Aug 2011 • New York, NY

    Supported Nielsen’s client partnership with NBC/Comcast Universal in a hybrid research and HR advisory role, working closely with R&D teams to translate audience insights into actionable business and talent initiatives.

    HR Business Partner – Nielsen Expositions (Trade Shows & Magazines)
    Jul 2010 – Mar 2011 • New York, NY

    Delivered HRBP support to Nielsen’s Expositions division, aligning talent strategy with the business needs of a portfolio that included trade shows, media properties, and editorial teams. Focused on org design, recruitment strategy, and manager development during a period of industry transition.

  • Achimota School – Accra, Ghana
    11th Grade Literature Teacher, 2010
    Volunteered as a high school literature teacher, developing and delivering English curriculum to senior secondary students. This early career experience shaped my passion for people-centered growth and cross-cultural connection in learning environments.

    American International School – Accra, Ghana
    Teaching Volunteer
    Contributed to classroom engagement and student support in a diverse international school setting. Focused on fostering inclusive learning and helping students build confidence through mentorship and structured academic guidance.

Education

🎓 Purdue University
Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Strategic & HR Concentration)
Graduated: December 2009

Selected by Purdue University President as 2009 commencement speaker

🎓 Northwestern University
Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change (I/O Psychology)
Graduated: December 2018

Projects & Creative Work

1.

BURN GEL is a page dedicated to fostering open, respectful dialogue and collective learning around America’s evolving identity

The news comes at us so fast that we’re often unable to pause and fully make sense of any one change. Many of which, directly impact how we live, work, connect and do business.  Burn Gel operates behind the news of the day, attempting to zoom into the underlying change, without the noise, opinions, and soundbites. Think of it this way, there are two sides to every coin. This page is just the coin. Not the views of these changes, i.e., policies, orders, laws, regulations, etc.- not Right, not Left - just an exploration and deeper understanding of the change itself

Perspective for Clarity

2.

Colorblind Cards, LLC

Art with Intention

Greeting Cards created by Jeremy Da Rosa, a colorblind artist, this collection of greeting cards brings peace, structure, and emotion through abstract expression. Inspired by life’s chaos, each design embraces geometry, space, and intentionality, turning personal reflection into art you can share.

About the Artist

I see the world a little differently—literally.
As someone who is colorblind, I’ve always experienced color through a lens of contrast, separation, and interpretation. What began as a personal outlet to process the unpredictability of life and work has evolved into something more: a collection of greeting cards that speak without words, born from moments of stillness, emotion, and intentional design.

My art is abstract, geometric, and deeply personal. Acrylics give me consistency. Structure gives me peace. In a world that often blends too much too fast, I find freedom in clarity, where shapes hold their boundaries and colors remain distinct.

Each card starts from a different place: a memory, a feeling, a moment I couldn’t explain with language. A flock of birds overhead in Colombia. The tension of traffic in a city I once called home. The quiet between breaths. These cards don’t aim to tell you what to feel—they simply invite you to feel something.

I created this line because I couldn’t find any cards that truly spoke to me. Maybe these will speak to you.

Cards Available for Purchase Summer 2025

3.

Ashley & Elliott’s is not your typical wedding planning company. It’s a personalized wedding experience platform and in-person concept store designed to guide couples through every stage of their journey from “Yes” to “I Do” and beyond.

We operate as your partners, not planners, providing intentional and curated decision support, vendor acquisition simplification, emotional clarity, expert guidance and a community that helps you design a day (and a process) that reflects who you are. Our role is to coach, curate, and walk alongside you, not take over.

Whether it’s refining your vision, choosing vendors, navigating tough conversations, or finalizing last details, we’re here to help you feel confident, seen, and supported every step of the way.

A Wedding Companion Experience

Ashley & Elliott’s

Business Planning in Progress……

4.

Community, Giving & Volunteerism

Support a Portland Public School Teacher

Help build a better learning environment for tomorrow’s leaders.

I’m currently supporting a fundraising initiative to transform a Portland middle school classroom, led by an incredible educator and change-maker. Your support helps provide vital supplies and a welcoming space for students to thrive.

Poshmark Closet – Fashion with Purpose

Sustainable giving through style.

I regularly donate gently used clothing through Poshmark, giving each item a second life while supporting sustainable fashion and funding future causes I care about.