Northeastern alumna Jessica Doonan, who graduated with a BS in American Sign Language and Theatre, is now the Chief of Staff for the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities. She was recently featured by the City as a 2019 EXTRAordinary Woman, a series that highlights the incredible work of the women working for the City. Her story is featured here. Congratulations on this recognition, Jessica!

In her role as Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities, she has found a strong overlap with her life-long connection to the theater arts. As she explains on the City’s website, “Here in the Commission, the hours are a bit different and I don’t deal with costumes or paint any sets. But in both worlds, success follows the credo that my high school drama teacher taught me: the play is the thing.” Jessica supervises staff and interns, represents the department at high-level meetings, and plans and implements a six week internship and a one day mentoring program within City Hall for job-ready adults with disabilities, as well as so much more. She also must stay abreast of all federal and state policy developments related to persons with disabilities.

She has taken on a lot of responsibility and is thriving in her position, and we are proud of this Department of Theatre alumna! Be sure to read the full feature here.