Jess Conard, M.A., CCC-SLP is an environmental advocate and licensed speech-language pathologist with a robust background in public speaking, particularly in the realms of rail safety, plastic pollution and public health. Jess has been a public speaker and educator for many years. Her environmental advocacy journey began in response to the February 2023 train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, her hometown. This event propelled her into high-profile advocacy, where she became a prominent voice for rail safety, environment and public health concerns.

 

On the third anniversary of the East Palestine train derailment, Jess launched Rail Watch, a fiscally-sponsored organization and the first national organization focused on working with communities to prevent train derailments. Jess is also a Senior Fellow at Halt the Harm Network, and works with scientists and other experts across the nation to oppose pollution from plastic and to do specific work in social movements.

 

Jess collaborates with a wide network of legal experts, medical professionals, scientists and activists from around the globe to support communities affected by plastic pollution and chemical disasters. Jess frequently gives talks to audiences that range from community groups and college students to press, state and federal legislators, medical professionals and academic scientists.
 

Jess is determined to educate the world on the power of local voices, the dangers of plastics and how we can safeguard against derailments and environmental disasters. She serves on the Community Advisory Board for The University of Kentucky’s health tracking study. Previously Jess has volunteered as a Community and Tribal Liaison for The National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) and has been selected as a peer reviewer. She was a recipient of a research scholarship at Cleveland State University, received her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from Kent State University and her BA in Speech Sciences from The Ohio State University. Jess is a displaced resident of East Palestine, Ohio and now lives with her family in Youngstown, Ohio.