Jess Anderson

Jess Anderson serves as the Mayor of Chapel Hill, NC, since December 2015, with previous experience as a City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tempore. Recognized for receiving the highest vote totals in municipal elections and honored by Chapel Hill Magazine as one of “10 Women Making their Mark On Our Community,” Jess has led various town boards, including the Council Committee on Economic Sustainability. Additionally, Jess is a Professor of the Practice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, directing the Master's Capstone Program for the Master's in Public Policy. Prior roles include Senior Policy Analyst at the SERVE Center at UNCG, focusing on educational policy and project management, and a Research Specialist at CNA. Jess holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from Duke University and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Psychology from Northeastern University.