Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab (BSEL)

Jessica Jackley is an entrepreneur and investor best known as founder of Kiva, the first microfinance crowdfunding platform with over $2B in loans since 2005. She is currently a Professor of the Practice of Entrepreneurship at the Marshall School of Business at USC, and Founder and GP at Untapped Capital. Previously, Jessica was Founder/CEO at Alltruists, creating unique volunteer experiences that can be done anywhere. Other notable experience includes serving as Walt Disney Imagineering's inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence, Chief Impact Officer at Aspiration, Venture Partner at Collaborative Fund and Mustard Seed Maze, author of CLAY WATER BRICK(PenguinRandom House), and founder/CEO of Profounder (acquired by GOOD Inc. in2010), among others. Jessica was previously a Visiting Practitioner at Stanford’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society. Extensive board service includes Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity International, International Museum of Women, and more.

JJ Lee is the Director of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE) program at the USC Marshall School of Business. She oversees recruitment, admissions, advising, and academic and student services for the MSSE program. Prior to joining the Marshall School in 2018, JJ ran the Pre-Master’s Program at USC International Academy from 2014-2018, helping international students prepare for success in their respective USC master’s programs. From 2011-2014, she served as the International Student Advisor at the American Language Institute at USC, managing the university-wide English language proficiency requirement for admission to USC degree programs.

Marelle Berry is the Senior Student Engagement Program Advisor for the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab.  She has worked for USC since 2015, and with the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab since 2019. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with two bachelor's degrees in sociology and gender studies. She also received a degree in merchandise marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Through both educational experiences, she has been able to apply her business skills towards furthering student programs and supporting students with creating great impact over their careers.

Michelle is the Operations Coordinator at the USC Marshall Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab. Her passion for social innovation and the role of businesses in social impact is what led her to this position. In this role, she plans student events, manages budgets and financial record-keeping, oversees program logistics and maintains the daily office operations. She is excited to empower students on their journey and equip them with the tools to become the next generation of social entrepreneurs.

Prior to this, she worked in fund development at a nonprofit. She earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California and her BA in Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine.

Avni is an expert communicator and writer with 15 years of experience in strategic content creation. She has written pieces for the LA Times, Salon, Huffington Post, The Guardian and more.