Our Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jessica R. Pepple is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Reframe Institute and Equitas Consulting & Management, two mission-driven enterprises dedicated to transforming systems, advancing equity, and reshaping the cultural narratives that shape our communities. Through these organizations, she partners with institutions, leaders, and communities to do the courageous work of reframing historical and contemporary inequities into pathways toward belonging, justice, and shared power.
A seasoned executive and systems thinker, Dr. Pepple brings more than a decade of experience in education, organizational leadership, and culture transformation. She has served as the inaugural Chief Diversity & Culture Officer for a large multi-site human services organization, where she worked directly with the President & CEO and the Executive Leadership Team to embed diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity (DBIE) into the organization’s culture, operations, and strategic priorities. In that role, she led cross-departmental change efforts, strengthened workforce well-being, and guided teams in building cultures rooted in accountability, transparency, and belonging.
Before stepping into executive leadership, Dr. Pepple served as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a public school district and held a range of instructional and administrative roles across Massachusetts and Florida. Her background as a teacher, vice principal, district leader, and organizational advisor shapes her holistic, human-centered approach to systems change and community transformation.
At the heart of Dr. Pepple’s leadership is a belief that transformation begins with brave conversations, honest reflection, and environments where people feel deeply seen and valued. Her work draws on the scholarship of Janet Helms, Beverly Daniel Tatum, Travis Bristol, and William Bridges — weaving academic research with lived experience to guide individuals and organizations through meaningful cultural evolution.
A compelling facilitator and strategic thinker, Dr. Pepple is known for her data-driven approach, her ability to turn insight into action, and her commitment to creating measurable, sustainable impact.
She holds:
- A Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Boston University
- An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership, National Louis University
- An MBA, Keller Graduate School of Management (DeVry University)
- A Bachelor’s in Risk Management–Insurance, Florida State University
- An Associate’s in Business Administration, Valencia Community College
Her leadership has been widely recognized:
- 2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award, Massachusetts Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
- Named among the Power 100 Most Influential Professionals in Central Massachusetts, Worcester Business Journal
Beyond her professional work, Dr. Pepple is a mother, community leader, and storyteller who finds joy in movies, museums, and art. She brings these passions into every space — reminding others that healing, learning, and liberation are both personal and collective journeys.
