Today, our transportation infrastructure is ridden with problems: accidents, traffic jams, limited parking and a profound negative impact on the environment. We live in a world of dumb transportation that is one of our largest wasters of GDP. While the light at the end of the tunnel may be autonomous cars, we are already on the path to redesigning the human condition to achieve smart transportation. In the face of challenges like limited resources: people historically overcome these hurdles by sharing. Examples of this trend include file sharing, ride sharing and time sharing.
We are in the midst of a technological revolution that could very quickly bring millions of existing vehicles online. People are carrying around mini-computers in their pockets and some of humanities greatest challenges can be overcome by leveraging this technology. Long before new models of vehicles come off the assembly line smart, we can leverage the power of smart phones and their real-time communication abilities that increases human intelligence to make cars more accessible and transportation more intelligent.
Jessica co-founded Gettaround, a stealth startup applying mobile technology for sustainable transportation.
Prior to launching Gettaround, she completed the Graduate Studies Program at Singularity University, a new graduate program launched by Ray Kurzweil, Peter Diamandis, NASA, and Google that focuses on accelerating technology and inspiring a cadre of leaders to address humanity's grand challenges.
Jessica also worked for the Government of Canada for a number of years, as a political aide to the Minister of International Cooperation and as a writer in a branch of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Jessica is the youngest member of the Women’s Executive Network, one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs in North America as a member of Summit Series, as well as, Founder and CEO of IDEAL (idealmesh.com), a not-for-profit network for entrepreneurs and young leaders.