About Jess

​My partner Matthew and I moved to Dedham 22 years ago.  We chose Dedham as the place to put down roots and raise our children Emma, age 24, and Jackson, age 21. Over the past two decades we’ve invested our time and energy into building relationships with our neighbors and supporting all of the wonderful community groups that make this town so special. We chose Dedham, and we love Dedham.
 
Part of what drew me to get involved in town government was the location of our house. If you stand at Papa Gino’s and look across the Highway, you’ll see our house. This means we have a very personal experience of how development in town impacts our neighborhoods and how important a project’s design, size, and traffic circulation are for surrounding areas. 
 
Living next to the highway, I'd seen firsthand how helpful our Town boards can be in protecting the quality of life for our neighborhood, and I wanted to help play that role for other neighborhoods.  I served as an associate member on the Zoning Board of Appeals for seven years before being elected to the Planning Board in 2018.  

Serving on the Planning Board for the past five years has been a pleasure. I have learned so much from the professionals we work with, my fellow board members, and most of all the community. I am proud of the impact I have had, and there’s still more to do! I humbly ask for your vote on or before Saturday, April 8th, so I can continue to bring my perspective and commitment to Dedham's Planning Board.
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Jessica with her son, Jackson, and husband Matthew. Two proud Porter Supporters!

Jessica has a strong track record promoting thoughtful, sustainable
​planning and civic engagement in Dedham


  • Planning Board member (2018 - present)
  • Town Green Working Group, Vice-chair (2022 - present)
  • Designing Dedham Master Plan Steering Committee, Co-chair (2019 - 2022)
  • Dedham Public Library Strategic Planning Steering Committee Member (2022)
  • Livable Dedham Housing Action Team (2017 – present)
  • Dedham Square Planning Committee (2017 – present, Co-chair)
  • Board of Directors, Mother Brook Arts & Community Center (2015 – 2018)
  • Women in Democracy-Dedham, co-founder (2013 – 2022)
  • Master Plan Implementation Committee (2014 – 2019)
  • Zoning Board of Appeals, Associate member (2011 – 2018)
  • Town Meeting Member (2010 - 2018), Vice-Chair, Precinct 1 (2014 - 2018)
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Jessica at the Citizen Planner Training Commission Annual Conference
​Personal and Professional Experience:
  • Has lived in Dedham for 22 years with partner Matthew McGuire, raising Emma (24) and Jackson (21)
  • Leadership Consultant and Coach to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and women leaders
  • Writer, including co-author of Negotiating at Work: Turn Small Wins into Big Change
  • Simmons School of Management, MBA (2005)
  • Clark University, BA (1992)
  • Member of the Democratic Town Committee

Donate to help spread the word
Whether you give $5, $50, or more, you're helping us get Jessica's message out to the voters. 

VOTE on Saturday, April 8!

Voting in local elections is the best way to have direct impact on your neighborhood, your sidewalks, your schools, your parks, and your quality of life. 

    Help Jessica plan for Dedham's future by getting out the vote! Sign up to help hold signs on election day or if you need a ride to the polls.

Get info on absentee voting at Town Hall or by mail

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Jessica Porter

BECOME A PORTER SUPPORTER! Contributing to Jessica's campaign helps us educate Dedham voters about the work of the Planning Board and how important it is to re-elect Jessica. Whether you donate $5, $50, or more you're helping get Jessica's message to the voters. You can donate here or mail a check to:

Committee to Elect Jessica Porter
c / o Gemma Martin, Treasurer
202 Bonham Road
Dedham, MA 02026

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