Jessa VanderWeide

Jessa VanderWeide is an investor and philanthropist involved in her family’s leadership of several DeVos family-owned business ventures, including Wakestream Holdings and Baton Collective. An active board member and chair of Baton’s talent and culture committee, Jessa helps steward the organization’s values and mission, focusing on thoughtful investments that drive positive human and community outcomes through creative, passion-driven ventures. Prior to joining her family’s businesses, she worked in communications and public relations.

Most recently, Jessa completed a 12-week culinary program at the Ballymaloe Cookery School, located on a 100-acre organic farm in County Cork, Ireland. She supports Slow Food, a global movement that advocates for local food, sustainable farming and the preservation of traditional and regional cuisine.

Jessa is passionate about mental and physical health, wellness and causes that positively influence individuals, children and families. She and her husband, Jeff Smith, are part of a small community called The Well, which funds overhead costs and covers credit card fees for charity: water, allowing 100% of public donations to support clean water projects.

Jessa and Jeff reside in New York City, where they enjoy exploring the city on foot, delighting in the city’s food scene and spending time with friends and family.

Jessa holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with minors in entrepreneurship and psychology from Wake Forest University.