Jessamyn Shams-Lau

Jessamyn Shams-Lau joined the Peery Foundation as its first staff member in 2009, helping to shape the foundation’s initial strategy and portfolios. As Executive Director, Jessamyn supports the Peery Foundation team, guides overall strategy, and develops a grantee-centric approach across the foundation’s portfolios. Jessamyn uses her experience as part of the founding Ashoka U team in her hands-on role as a Board Member of BYU’s Ballard Center, where she created curriculum now taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Jessamyn has a BA in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts London and an MBA from Brigham Young University.