Born and raised in Delaware County‘s borough of Media, Jess Cadorette is the Director of Civic Engagement at Conservation Voters of PA and PennFuture.

Cadorette oversees a team of Civic Engagement Coordinators across the state who work in their regions, helping to educate others about what’s happening in Harrisburg and D.C. and then empowering residents to be environmental advocates.

“I lead our team in helping to break down complex policy and regulatory issues, hosting educational forums and events, and training residents to be civically engaged,” said Cadorette.

Cadorette began babysitting and pet sitting at the age of 14 and even continued her own caretaking business throughout college. She attended Penncrest High School, where she was able to deepen her love for nature by taking AP Environmental Science.

“That’s where I first learned about climate change, and it cemented for me the desire to build a career around protecting our planet,” said Cadorette.

Cadorette started her college education at Franklin & Marshall College, hoping to study environmental science, but eventually transferred to Neumann University, where she graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, focusing specifically on Environmental Communications.

“I realized the problem with protecting our climate wasn’t the science; that was well-studied,” said Cadorette. “The issues preventing us from taking action were based in education, communications about climate change, policy, and advocacy.”

Cadorette credits Flora Cardoni with having a strong impact on her career.

“She showed me not only how to become civically active and engage with my own elected officials but also how to recruit, train, and inspire others to do the same,” she said. “I now have the honor of partnering with her and her team on many of our campaigns and, in tandem, helping to build a movement for a pro-environment Pennsylvania—where our constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and protected spaces isn’t threatened.”

Describing her proudest professional moment, Cadorette states that all her proudest moments have always surrounded times when she had the privilege of helping others recognize the power they hold and wielding it to build a better world.

“Whether it was coordinating one of the biggest environmental lobby days in Harrisburg with 450 residents from across the state pushing for environmental protections, helping high schoolers interested in environmental advocacy learn the levers of power and civic opportunity with GirlGov, or watching my staff members grow into new positions that continue serving and protecting the environment — moments like these drive me to keep doing what I do.”

Cadorette’s favorite Chester County restaurant is Station Taproom in Downingtown.

Cadorette and the rest of the 2024 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration on Thursday, May 9 at Penn State Great Valley, Malvern.

Sponsors are still being sought. Click here to learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it celebrates Chester County’s next generation of leaders, or contact Steve Knickerbocker at steve.knickerbocker@acj.today or 484-437-2826.