Bio

Jessica Brooks-Woods led as President & CEO the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health from 2013-2023, where she redefined and advanced healthcare value, access, equity, and quality on behalf of employers. Under her leadership, PBGH has enjoyed consistent financial gains, delivering more than $30 million in annual savings to employers, as well as intervention programs, which have saved employees more than $6 million in copays and out-of-pocket expenses. She has been referred to as the Velvet Hammer in Healthcare-a term she fully embraces as she advocates for value on behalf of us all.

Jessica founded E.A.R.N & EARN Staffing Solutions as a crucial full-service DE&I centered consulting and talent placement firm for the business community. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business, and Carnegie Mellon University, where she received her Master’s in Public Management. Mrs. Woods is also a public speaker, and proud that’s she’s been honored as the commencement speaker of her High School and Penn State University Greater Allegheny Campus. Jessica serves her community generously and contributes as a board of director on both non-profit and for-profit boards; including Maitri Medicinals, the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, the Patient Health Action Network, Community Health Design Corp., Adagio Health as well as served as an appointee to the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange, Pennie.

Jessica has been recognized and honored over the years for her achievements; including most recently being selected as City and State PA’s  top 50 of Impact in Pennsylvania and 40 under 40 in Pennsylvania, she was named one of Pittsburgh’s 2022 Power 100 by City and State PA, and was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Power 100 leader in 2022, in 2019 Jessica also received recognition as one of the most Influential Women by the Pittsburgh Business Times to name a few. Make sure to look out for the new book she is co-authoring, Race Forward: An Employers Guide to Health Equity available spring 2023. She does all of this as the proud wife to Marlin Woods and Mother of four to Jesse, Jace, Zi, and Marlin Jr.