Working for one of the largest health insurance companies in the nation, Jessica Brooks of Highmark's Corporate Staffing Team helps fulfill the company's commitment to a diverse workforce. Her responsibilities include managing the western region internship program, formalizing the entry-level recruitment programs, and creating a university relations strategy that compliments Highmark's business and culture. Jessica is credited with transforming Highmark's internship program and creating a branding strategy that includes partnerships with organizations such as NEED, INROADS, FAME and National Black MBA Association. By doing so, she has partnered with other local corporations in providing and creating opportunities for students of color to showcase their capabilities and to explore meaningful career opportunities. Highmark was recognized as the INROADS-Corporate Sponsor of the Year 2009 - for growing the INROADS program by 100% - due to Jessica's efforts. Ms. Brooks' achievements were also highlighted in the Winter 2009/Spring 2010 Minority College Issue of Diversity Careers Magazine. 

Prior to Highmark, Jessica was employed by Lockheed Martin's Human Resource Leadership Development Program. Her responsibilities included managing the internship program and entry-level recruitment, staffing top talent for engineering, operations, and finance roles, managing the executive scorecard for human resources, maintaining and reporting on metrics with a focus on recruitment and diversity, revamping the site's New Hire Affinity Group and leading diversity and retention projects. 

Jessica is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Management with concentrations in Human Resources and International Business. While attending Penn State, Jessica studied abroad in Costa Rica and had the opportunity to focus on her international business interests. Being immersed in the culture, she realized that life is about learning about others, appreciating the variety of the world; and that no matter what direction her career would take, Diversity and Inclusion would be a focal point. 

Jessica gives back to her community both formally and informally, she serves on the leadership team for the National Black MBA-Pittsburgh Chapter as Corporate Relations and Fund Development Director, the leadership team for the African-American Alumni Organization (AAAO)- Penn State Pittsburgh Chapter, a member of the INROADS Alumni Organization. She is passionate about the youth and has volunteered with organizations such as Urban Youth Action, Jr. Achievement, and school organizations such as RCMBA to provide career advice, resume critiquing, and mock interviewing. Jessica participates in initiatives promoting inclusion: some of her recent volunteer efforts include Pittsburgh's PRIDE fest and Disability Mentoring Day.