Biography
Jess Grainger is the Regional Director for Disability Lead’s new chapter in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he’s building a strong, visible presence for disability leadership in the region. With a background in education and workforce development, Jess has led initiatives that advance equity in education, mental health, and accessibility. His career began in New York City as an educator advocating for students with learning differences, and has since spanned foundations, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships—including work with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Partner4Work’s Career Ready Allegheny. His work is rooted in human-centered design and informed by his own lived experience in the disability space.
A transplant to Pittsburgh, Jess is passionate about making the region a national model for disability empowerment. Before joining Disability Lead, he served on the board of an anti-bullying initiative and was a founding member of the League of New Samaritans. As a 2025 Disability Lead Fellow, he’s committed to ensuring the organization’s expansion reflects the unique needs and strengths of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s disability and workforce communities. Jess holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Columbia University.