Jessica Thiessen lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, and works as the Coordinator of the Arctic Youth Network. She also acts as the Youth Representative on the Yukon Environmental Network's Board of Governors and as the ex officio for the Yukon College Student Union. Jessica has an extensive history of student representation, student governance and community involvement. She has diverse work experience in education, mentorship, recreational leadership and logistical support positions with less-abled, at-risk, terminally ill, rural and professional youth.

Jessica is devoted to lifelong learning and after finishing an honours diploma in Northern Environmental Studies was heard to exclaim "what's next?" Following a four-month student exchange in Akureyri, Iceland with the University of the Arctic's north2north program, Jessica pledged to combine Environmental Innovation and Sustainability in her further studies. An enthusiastic optimist, Jessica is committed to engaging young people in their communities and pushing them to see their potential. She feels that the Arctic Youth Network is a necessary and timely avenue to engage a new generation of conscious citizens. Jessica's great passions are linking environmental and social studies, connecting science and poetry and climbing the beautiful expanses of rock that hide themselves in the corners of the Yukon.

Learn more about Jessica and her work with Arctic youth in her recent interview (PDF) (422 kb).