Join us for the first Jewish Professional Women event of the year, an inspiring conversation between two extraordinary leaders: Jessica Abo and Julie Platt.

Who: Jewish Professional Women
What: Own Your Voice in the Workplace, in Your Community, and at Home
When: Thursday, February 19th • 6:30 PM
Where: Location in West L.A. shared with registrants in confirmation email

 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Kassie Jeffers at JPW@JewishLA.org.

We look forward to seeing you on February 19th. Save the date for our next event on May 19th!

Best,

Lauren Gallaher
JPW Committee Chair

Elyse Benudiz, Tamara Kagel, Thea Raskin, Marlyse Scherr, Andrea Stern
JPW Committee

For 2026, there is no minimum gift to attend JPW programming. However, those who donate
a minimum gift of $500 will receive a special-rate ticket and exclusive access.
Your donation is tax-deductible.

 

Jessica Abo is a globally recognized keynote speaker, communication strategist, and award-winning journalist who helps leaders be seen, heard, and understood. Through her curiosity-driven approach, she helps people turn their stories into their competitive advantage.

As the founder of Jett Communications, Jessica works with a wide variety of clients from Fortune 500 leaders, founders, and high-profile talent across business, sports, and entertainment to members of a Royal Family. With more than 25 years of on-camera experience, she helps her clients at every stage of their career speak with clarity, show up with confidence, and increase their visibility in every room that matters.

Jett Communications has been recognized as a Top Communications Firm by the Entreprenista 100, and Jessica’s frameworks are trusted by leaders at Amazon, Meta, Apple, Uber, Paramount Global, The Vitamin Shoppe, and dozens of hospitals and life sciences organizations. Her private clients lead companies generating between $5 million and $6 billion in annual revenue, with organizations reporting double-digit gains in engagement, retention, and leadership alignment.

An award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Jessica has earned top honors from the Society of Professional Journalists. Her book, Unfiltered: How to Be as Happy as You Look on Social Media, sold out on its first day and was featured in the official GRAMMY Awards gift bag. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America’s GMA3, Access Hollywood, NewsNation, FOX, NY1, KTLA and featured in outlets such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, USA Today, and Woman’s World.

Known for blending evidence-based insight with warmth and humor, Jessica has delivered a TEDx talk and keynotes for powerhouse brands such as YPO, Meta, Microsoft, Delta Air Lines, and Prime Communications/AT&T.

Beyond her career, Jessica is a committed volunteer whose work has been recognized by the White House. She produced and hosted a gala for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, helping facilitate dozens of life-saving bone marrow matches, and spearheaded an event for the Chabad of Thailand, which paid for a new water purification system outside Phuket following a tsunami.

She has served as Jewish National Fund’s Spokesperson for Professional Women Under 40 and as United Synagogue Youth’s first-ever Danny Siegel Changemaker in Residence, speaking to more than 2,000 teenagers nationwide. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jessica also produced a documentary commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Jessica co-chaired UJA Federation of New York’s Young Entertainment Division, spoken at The Lion of Judah and at Federations across the country, and continues to speak for Jewish organizations nationwide.

She currently serves on the board of TinySuperheroes.

A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Jessica mentors emerging entrepreneurs and creatives and has appeared as herself in Gossip Girl, Nurse Jackie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Delivery Man. When she’s not working, you’ll find her dancing in the kitchen with her kids, creating art with her daughters, and trying to beat her husband in basketball.

 

Julie Platt is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and past Chair of the Board of Directors of Jewish Federation Los Angeles and the Foundation for Jewish Camp. In January, President Isaac Herzog awarded her the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, Israel’s highest civilian honor.

Prior to her role as Chair of the Board, Julie served as JFEDLA’s General Campaign Chair, Chair of the Ensuring the Jewish Future Strategic Initiative, and Chair of the Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Julie serves on its Board of Trustees and is also on Penn Hillel's National Board of Governors.

Julie continues to lead JFNA’s LiveSecure Initiative, Frontline, and other JFNA initiatives crucial to the flourishing of Jewish life in North America.

 

JFEDLA acts on shared values to create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world. We care for our vulnerable by fighting poverty and combating antisemitism. We inspire by fostering Jewish journeys, building bridges, and developing leaders. Our dedicated partners, passionate staff, and your generosity make our work possible.

By signing up to attend this event, you agree to irrevocably grant to Jewish Federation Los Angeles — and to their employees, agents, and assigns — the right to take your photograph, record you, or use your image, silhouette, and/or other reproductions of your physical likeness, as well as your voice and/or words, for all purposes related to marketing and promotion of JFEDLA, across all media. These rights are granted in perpetuity. You hereby certify and represent that you are of at least 18 years of age and have read the foregoing and fully understand the meaning and effect thereof.