Jennifer Jackson

Jennifer Jackson is the People and Operations Lead at Blueprint Labs, a nonpartisan research lab that uses data and economics to uncover the consequences of policy decisions and improve society. “I’m the person making sure the lab runs smoothly behind the scenes,” she says, “and also manage the finance and operations staff directly.” She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts, Architecture, and Psychology from Connecticut College and certificates in Change Management from Cornell University and Business Analytics from Harvard Business School Online.

Describe your roles and responsibilities.

I oversee grants, finances, HR, and other operational systems. That means everything from building budgets and making sure funding is used correctly, to managing hiring, onboarding, and supporting our team. I also work closely with researchers and leadership on strategy. At the end of the day, my job is to keep the wheels turning so our economists and researchers can focus on their work.

How long have you worked at MIT?

I’ve been with MIT for over 4 years, and before this I worked in the design world. That experience gave me a strong foundation in creatively solving problems, which I bring to my work here.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Definitely the people. I get to work with incredibly smart and thoughtful colleagues who are doing research that shapes policy and improves society. I also love that the work is varied. One day I might be deep in financial planning, the next I’m working on hiring or helping to strengthen our team culture. It keeps me engaged!

What advice would you offer someone interested in what you do?

I’d say: be flexible and curious. A big part of this work is about problem-solving and figuring out how to connect dots across finance, people, and strategy. You don’t have to have all the answers at the start, but you do need to be comfortable navigating complexity, researching independently, and asking good questions.

What are your hobbies and interests outside work?

Outside of work, I stay busy! You might find me walking my dog, working in my community garden, cooking and baking elaborate projects, or spending time with my community in my free time. I also volunteer with Community Cooks, where I cook meals for my neighbors, and I recently served on the City of Cambridge’s arts grant review committee, which helps me stay connected to my art and design roots.