The Weatherhead School of Management family is remembering the life of Jessica Gregson (MGT '14), who passed away in late January of this year.
Jessica was a member of the MBA cohort that graduated in 2014. She was the Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA) President, and the recipient of the Scott S. Cowen Student Leadership Award, recognizing her as a role model who contributed to the total community and stimulated the classroom experience.
“Jessica was a great student and an even better leader of the Graduate Business Student Association,” said Simon Peck, associate professor of design and innovation who taught Jessica during her time at Weatherhead. “Under her leadership, the student clubs were energized, and she constantly cared about the overall student experience. She looked to see how the student body could have a positive effect on the community and lead many initiatives there.”
Jessica resided in Alabama with her husband and five children. Most recently, Jessica held several leadership roles at the Chartis Group based out of Chicago. She attended Carnegie Mellon University for her undergraduate degree in physics, before joining the Weatherhead family in 2012. Jessica wasted no time getting involved and making a difference in the school.
“Jessica was always aware of the need to give thanks to all those that made the Weatherhead experience possible, be that our biggest donors, to memorably organizing a student appreciation presentation to Lannette Washington, who worked in the PBL Café,” Peck remembers. “We were fortunate she chose Weatherhead, and she will be missed by many of us who interacted with her both during and after her MBA.”
Ranjith Ramachandran, a fellow classmate, worked closely with Jessica on several initiatives during their tenure together on the GBSA board.
“I remember our trip to India for a conference,” Ramachandran said. “I was listing out the do’s and don'ts for our travel. She looked at me and said: ‘We are going to be okay. Don't worry,’ and that's all it took for her to calm me down. Jessica was a kindhearted and generous, person. I’m grateful I had the chance to know her as both a colleague and a cherished friend.”
In lieu of flowers, friends of Jessica may contribute to the Jessica Memorial Fund.