Molloy University alumna Jessica Markowitz has built a career rooted in purpose, strategy, and service—skills she credits to the business and communications programs that shaped her academic journey. Today, she serves as Head of Marketing & Donor Outreach Specialist at the Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting U.S. Army Rangers and their families.
But her path to leadership wasn’t linear.
Jessica arrived at the organization in 2020, during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, when job opportunities were scarce and uncertainty was widespread. She was hired initially for a social media role, but her training in marketing and management quickly expanded her responsibilities.
“As the years went by, I naturally took on more because of the broad skill set I gained from my marketing minor and MBA in Management,” she said. “By 2024, that foundation helped me step into the role I hold now.”
A Strong Academic Foundation in Business and Marketing
Jessica earned her undergraduate degree in Media Communications with a Marketing minor, then continued at Molloy to complete an MBA in Management—a combination she describes as “a well‑rounded skill set and blend between all.”
Her coursework prepared her for the multifaceted demands of nonprofit marketing and donor relations.
“My degree in Media Communications with a Marketing minor equipped me with strong skills in storytelling, audience targeting, digital marketing strategy, donor demographics, and event management—all things I apply daily,” she explained. “My MBA strengthened my ability to align those efforts with organizational goals, manage resources, and build sustainable outreach strategies.”
Her daily responsibilities now include social media campaigns, email marketing, donor engagement, event promotion, and brand‑building initiatives that support military families nationwide.
Faculty Mentorship That Made a Lasting Impact
Jessica credits several Molloy professors with shaping not only her communication and technical skills but also her professionalism and leadership approach.
Dr. Bruce Haller, a professor in the MBA program in Molloy’s School of Business, taught Jessica in business and marketing courses. He shared that, “Jessica always stood out for her drive, creativity, and thoughtful approach to problem‑solving. She brought both strategic thinking and empathy to her work—traits that make her incredibly effective in the nonprofit world.”
Professor Peter D’Antonio, who taught Jessica in her final capstone course in Spring 2020, saw early signs of the mission‑driven focus that now defines her career. In that capstone project, her team partnered with the American Airpower Museum to explore strategies to increase attendance and revenue while remaining true to the museum’s mission—to increase awareness about U.S. military aviation contributions. Professor D’Antonio reflected, “Jessica brimmed with ideas and leveraged her strengths in marketing to help her team design real-world mission driven solutions. Her work was stellar.”
Jessica also expressed appreciation for other influential faculty members, including School of Arts and Sciences professors Tom Kenny and Janice Kelly, whose lessons in communication, media strategy, and ethical leadership continue to guide her career.
Leadership Built Both on the Field and in the Classroom
As a former student‑athlete and team captain, Jessica developed critical leadership qualities long before stepping into her marketing role. Balancing academics, practice schedules, and team responsibilities instilled resilience, discipline, accountability, and confidence.
“The structure of being an athlete—early mornings, strict schedules, clear expectations—mirrors the culture of the military community I now serve,” she said. “It helped me feel comfortable in high‑performance, highly structured environments.”
Collaborative assignments and group projects within her Media Communications and MBA programs also prepared her to guide conversations, manage projects, and foster effective teamwork—skills she uses daily in her leadership role.
From Molloy to Mission‑Driven Impact
Looking back, Jessica sees her Molloy experience as transformational.
“It shaped me in ways that went far beyond the classroom,” she said. “The strategic skills from my business courses, the communication skills from Media Communications, and the discipline from being a student‑athlete—all of it prepared me to thrive in a demanding, meaningful role supporting Army Rangers and their families.”
Through her work at the Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund, Jessica continues to combine business strategy with compassion—embodying the Molloy mission of leadership, service, and ethical professionalism.