Staff

Jessica Barnett is a senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation.

Jessica is a foster care policy analyst at Gen Justice, responsible for researching and promoting public policies that protect America’s abandoned, abused, and trafficked children. Previously, she worked as a senior policy analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation, with expertise in criminal justice, workers’ rights, and good government reforms. Now, as a senior fellow, her focus remains on criminal justice reforms in both the juvenile and adult systems. 

Alongside her career in research-based advocacy, Jessica routinely volunteers with local nonprofits serving at-risk populations and currently serves as a research and communications specialist for an anti-human trafficking nonprofit.

Jessica holds a dual B.A. in English and History from Messiah University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. A Pennsylvania native, Jessica lives in Harrisburg.