From her work as an executive coach to her passion for natural perfumery, Jessica Mennella has a unique gift for helping things flourish. Jessica’s career spans finance and retail and includes extensive experience as a strategic development consultant for start-ups, early-stage, and privately run companies. In 2018, she combined her retail expertise with her training in natural perfumery, flower essence therapy, and meditation to found FLWR Napa Valley, a fine perfume house that creates handmade botanical scents. Jessica sees scent as “a great equalizer and an important, powerful, and direct path to memory and emotion.”
Jessica has also helped the Stanford GSB alumni community blossom, thanks to her instrumental role in growing the GSB Women’s Circles program. The program connects GSB alumni through small, carefully curated groups that meet regularly for personal and professional support. Jessica co-founded the Napa/Sonoma chapter and has since dedicated countless hours to the community, serving as Chair of the Executive Committee and working to expand the program’s reach. “She has used her coaching experience and deep love of connection to build a strong leadership team,” explains GSB Women’s Circles leaders Vanessa Hartigan, ’94, MA ’96, MBA ’00. Under Jessica’s leadership, the program has grown to include over 1,400 members across more than 170 circles and has seen a significant increase in its Net Promoter Score, reflecting the positive impact it’s had on its members.
Jessica has also played a key role in organizing and executing the Stanford GSB Women’s Leadership Conference, an event designed to celebrate the impact and journeys of GSB alumni while continuing to spark intellectual curiosity, cultivate connections, and enhance engagement with the school. “Jessica’s character, work ethic, innovative nature, ability to bring disparate people together, and align them to make positive change are exemplary,” notes Vanessa. “She represents all that the GSB strives for.”
