Jessica “JR” Washebek
Senior Advisor for AI, Environment, and Society
Jessica joined EPIC in May 2025 after eight transformative years with the U.S. Forest Service, where she most recently served as the organization's AI Program Manager. During her federal career, she built the Forest Service's first comprehensive AI program—establishing the AI Council, developing use case intake processes, enhancing AI literacy, and creating the infrastructure needed for responsible technology adoption in environmental stewardship.
Her journey with the Forest Service spanned multiple roles, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and land management. Jessica's experience includes serving as a wilderness ranger, conservation education program manager, Staff Advisor in the Office of the Chief during the presidential transition, data analyst for ecosystem restoration, environmental planning program analyst, and organizational transformation consultant.
At EPIC, Jessica focuses on accelerating Artificial Intelligence technology adoption for land management and environmental protection across governance levels. Her work spans developing decision frameworks for technology evaluation, creating accessible AI literacy resources, building skills taxonomies for the evolving workforce, and analyzing environmental impacts of AI applications. She specializes in bridging federal, state, local, and private approaches to create more effective, data-driven environmental stewardship practices.
Jessica brings a rare combination of hands-on field experience, data expertise, and organizational change management to environmental technology implementation. Her academic background in Cognitive Neuropsychology with a focus on Human-Computer Interfacing informs her human-centered approach to technological innovation.
Get to Know Me Further
When I'm not translating between technologists and conservationists, you'll find me exploring Montana's trails with my four-year-old son, who's learning computational logic and critical thinking alongside identifying wildflowers and animal tracks. I'm passionate about digital literacy, volunteering my time teaching these skills to local middle schoolers. An avid outdoor enthusiast, I find balance through trail running, skiing, whitewater rafting, hunting, and dance. My creative writing often explores the relationship between technology and our connection to the natural world. Former wilderness ranger turned digital guide, I'm fascinated by how technology can enhance rather than replace our relationship with nature. Always up for conversations about the future of environmental stewardship, especially if they happen around a campfire with a good cup of coffee.