CATALYZE
About
In my 10+ years working across consulting, sports business, philanthropy, and multi-cultural engagement, I knew I found my passion and place as sports business strategist. While working in Sponsorship Strategy at the NFL, I noticed a huge opportunity for underrepresented athletes to build their brands and connect with their communities - it quickly became my passion to close this gap. After 3.5, countless invaluable experiences, a vast network, and endless memories later, I decided to take the leap and pursue Catalyze full time.
I am a firm believer that amplifying strong off-field character and values highlights on-field capabilities and potential, while bringing communities together.
The mission of Catalyze is simple:
Amplify underrepresented athletes and causes through brand development for those who deserve the spotlight and will inspire the next generation of athletes.
How does that mission come to life?
Catalyze focuses on athletes with compelling stories but they may not have the platform to share it broadly. That's where we come in. Through media amplification, brand deals, community engagement, and speaking events, underrepresented athletes now have the platform and opportunity to bring their stories to the spotlight.
TRUSTED BY GLOBAL BRANDS
OUR STORY
From cheering on the Jets alongside her dad and playing sports her entire life, Jess has been passionate about the sports industry and fostering a sense of community. That passion followed her to Penn State where she worked numerous sports internships outside of the classroom. Throughout her time in college, Jess became deeply involved with Penn State’s THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world providing financial and emotional support to families fighting pediatric cancer. She served as the Merchandise Director as a senior and help take part in the $10,151,663.93 that the organization raised for Four Diamonds at Hershey Children’s Hospital.
THON 2018 Total Reveal
After college, Jess worked as a consultant at Accenture to sharpen her strategic business and analytical skills. In January 2023, she found the opportunity to work her dream job at the NFL and joined the Sponsorship Strategy team. At the NFL, Jess worked on major deals such as the Accenture partnership, refreshing the financial services category leading to three new sponsors with exclusive and unique designations, and the first-ever pharmaceutical partnership with Novartis. In addition to supporting new deals, developing key leadership materials, and on-site client hosting and event execution, Jess was as co-chair on the AANHPI Employee Resource Group (ERG), APEX. She had the opportunity to develop community programming, host panels, and work with players to amplify their stories.
Working with players and affinity groups helped Jess realize that there is a huge opportunity to elevate players who may not always be in the spotlight, and connect causes, brands, and platforms around the NFL community. Because of that, Jess took the leap in summer 2026 to start Catalyze.
Arguably the most important member of the Catalyze team is Willow, Chief Morale Officer. Willow ensures that everything is held to the highest standard, and that morale is always high by taking enough walk, treat, and snuggle breaks!
